Strawberry Festival returns to M'ville

The Marysville Strawberry Festival returned this summer after a two-year absence with traditional carnival rides, Asbery Field market, the Grand Parade down State Avenue, and much more.

The festival was not held the previous two years because of the pandemic but was able to be held this year.

“It’s going really well. Everything we’ve done so far with the Golf Tournament and Fashion Show have gone well,” said Gail Frost, president of Maryfest, the local nonprofit organization that runs the festival.

On June 11, 22 teams competed in the Golf Tournament, which is an event that was brought back this year and organized by the Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce.

The raffle at that event raised $2,000 for a new scholarship that Maryfest plans to give out for a student who performs community service.

“All of the raffle money that we raised is going to the new scholarship that Maryfest has started,” said Ivonne Sepulveda, president of the Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce.

The Fashion Show and Luncheon was held on June 14 and raised money for the scholarships Maryfest already hands out.

“Thanks to the money raised, the festival is able to continue to give thousands of dollars in scholarships to our Royalty Court,” said Frost.

Clothes from J.C. Penney and other local businesses such as Hilton & Company and Old Soul were put on display during the show.

“I think everybody enjoyed the fashions and the lunch was great,” said Frost.

The Market in the Park brought many vendors to Asbery Field for the festival this year.

“It’s been great so far. Even though there’s a little bit of mud everyone has been nice and there’s just a lot of nice vendors. Everyone has been personable and it’s just been awesome so far,” said market visitor Anthony Bevilacqua.

He said he has never been to the Strawberry Festival before and was enjoying it.

“We’re originally from Tacoma and I moved up to Everett. We don’t come up north very often but it’s been awesome so far,” he said.

Vendor Jessica Neithamer brought her business, The Reiki Room, to the market and said she enjoys the event.

“We’re having lots of fun,” she said. “I like seeing lots of people, meeting lots of people and seeing people I know from the community.”

Rain put a damper on some of the days of the market, but it still had a good turnout, said Frost.

“Last night at the market it was a little slow because it was raining, but once the weather cleared up it’s been pretty busy,” she said.

The Funtastic Carnival brought classic rides and games to the city again.

“I think it’s a great community event after two years with COVID,” said carnival visitor Jessica Rhodes.

Many Marysville residents have come to the carnival for many of their past summers.

“For me it’s about nostalgia, I grew up going here,” said carnival visitor Chelsea Baker.

She said she always enjoys coming to the carnival to buy some elephant ears.

“I like just seeing familiar faces and seeing everybody happy,” she said.

The festival also brought back the Trike Races which had not be held for several years. And the Berry Run moved to a new route that ran down State Avenue just before the Grand Parade.

The Grand Parade down State Avenue returned this year to cap off the festival.

There were about 80 participants in this year’s parade, which is about what previous year’s parades had, said Frost.

“We’ve come years and years to the parade because my kids used to be on the Everett Eagles Junior Drill Team,” said Cindy Martin.

She appreciates that there is an evening parade in the area.

“I like that it is at night. My favorite part is that they’re able to have it at night because we don’t have that anywhere else here,” she said.

Frost said the festival was happy to be able to bring back all the events, including the parade.

“I think people just generally like parades,” said Frost. “They’re going to love to have the Seafair Pirates back and kids just like parade. Everyone likes the bands and the one I can’t wait to see are the St. Bernards."

The event also helped to bring traditions back to Marysville that locals have not been able to enjoy for a while.

“It’s getting back to normal after COVID, what they’re used to doing with the community,” said Frost.