EASTON, Pa. — As warm days and pleasant nights return to the Lehigh Valley, it’s time to celebrate the arrival of strawberry season at Easton Farmers’ Market.
On Saturday, June 1, deemed Strawberry Day, the market celebrates everyone’s favorite summer berry with fresh, locally grown strawberries, plenty of strawberry-themed treats and music from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Scott Park.
"Strawberries are the first fruit of the season to be harvested. They carry all the promise and anticipation of summer. "Greater Easton Development Partnership District Market Director Megan McBride
According to menu/recipe website Epicurious, “For most of the country, June is prime time for strawberries,” with warm days and cool nights producing the best fruit throughout the season.
That makes our recent weather just about perfect to usher in Strawberry Day.
And while the fruit will be the star of the show, Greater Easton Development Partnership District Market Director Megan McBride said there will be a whole lot more for everyone to enjoy.
”We have baby goats coming." McBride said. "Strawberries and goat snuggles… doesn’t get much better than that.
“But seriously, strawberries are the first fruit of the season to be harvested. They carry all the promise and anticipation of summer.
"Our vendors aren’t holding back: you’ll find just about anything ‘strawberry’ — sweet and savory — you can imagine. Weyerbacher is even releasing a strawberry milkshake beer.”
McBride also recommended visitors should wear their “berry” best, as people randomly will be awarded with fun prizes for sporting their strawberry-based outfits.
The market will be rain or shine and dog-friendly, offering free parking in adjacent lots at South Second and Ferry Streets.
Vendors accept cash, credit, Venmo and EBT, with EBT purchases matched up to $10 in partnership with The Food Trust.
A berry, berry sweet lineup
If you’re hankering for some fresh berries, swing by Phillips Farms’ stand for fruit that’s featured at markets throughout New York, New Jersey and, of course, Easton’s markets.
How about some tasty pastries? K&S Grille has you covered for strawberry shortcake (and strawberry lemonade to wash it down) and Zekraft has chocolate strawberry crepes.
Flour Shop Bakery has strawberry crème cruffins and Danish; Tomblers will feature strawberry crumb pies and strawberry rhubarb pies; and Mia & Maddie’s Bakery will showcase strawberry cinnamon rolls, strawberry rhubarb pie, strawberry shortcake slices, and strawberry hand pies.
And Mona’s Bakery will offer up strawberry and strawberry-dipped macarons, strawberry lemonade cookies, strawberry rhubarb and pies, strawberry meringue cookies and pops and chocolate strawberry cake.
Looking for something a little cooler? Grab a strawberry craft slushie from Social Still Distillery; or a strawberry mousse or gelato or other delectable eats from Chocodiem.
You can get strawberry popsicles, organic cold-pressed strawberry lemonade and strawberry banana and strawberry colada smoothies from Green Vida Co.
Or strawberry hibiscus kombucha from Highpoint Kombucha; and rich and creamy strawberry sheep milk yogurt from Raspberry Ridge Sheep Creamery.
Or maybe you want to try something a little different. In that case, swing by Oley Ravioli for strawberry ricotta ravioli; Breakaway Farms for strawberry and feta turkey burgers, strawberry and rose sausage, or strawberry chorizo; and Cuz ‘n’ Vinny’s Homemade Pasta for some strawberry penne salad.
And if you just want to indulge in the sweet scent of the summer berry, swing by Minsi Mountain Flower Farm for a strawberry-colored bouquet, or a Summer Fresca candle from Easton Candle Co.
While exploring the wide breadth of tasty strawberry treats, check out 10-year-old fiddling phenom Serafina Salvaterra from 9 a.m. to noon, and Mike Frank & Friends from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
