Another early-summer tradition in Windsor-Essex returns with a complete in-person schedule of events.
The LaSalle Strawberry Festival will take place from June 9 to June 12 at the Vollmer Recreation Complex. It will be the first time since 2019 that the popular event will take place after the last two years were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The festival will return not only with plenty of its signature strawberries, but also a parade, fireworks display, carnival midway, and other events.
The Flying Fools High Dive Show will hold several performances per day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Vollmer's Dive Pool.
Two entertainment headliners have been announced, with the Windsor-based rock cover band Leave Those Kids Alone, made up of young people performing classic rock hits, taking the stage on Friday night. On Saturday night, Elton John tribute artist Elton Sean will perform.
Opening day on Thursday will kick off with opening ceremonies, featuring members of the LaSalle Town Council. On the main stage, Canadian singer-songwriter Tayler Lynn will headline.
Friday's highlights include Tecumseh-based acoustic performer Carson Janik, and from Kitchener, the indie-folk group I The Mountain. The annual fireworks show caps Friday's schedule.
The parade returns on Saturday at 10 a.m. It will head along Front Road, stepping off from Old Front Road and ending at Sacred Heart Drive. Streets in the area will close to traffic at around 9:45 a.m. and remain closed until the march's conclusion. Saturday's entertainment will include Madeline Doornaert and the Dane Roberts Band, the Melissa Megan Acoustic Duo, the punk-pop band Riverside Drive, and Nikki Night Music.
The festival concludes on Sunday with scheduled performances by street performer Kobbler Jay and R&B artist Josh Johnson.
Admission to the festival is $5 a person, with tickets to be made available in-person and online. Kids five and under and seniors 65 and older can get in free. Advance weekend passes are available at the Vollmer Complex for $12 a person until Wednesday, June 8. Carnival ride tickets are purchased on-site, and on Thursday night, all rides are $2.
Complete information on the festival, and on how to become a parade participant or vendor, can be found on the Town of LaSalle's official website.