By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

CALERA— Artisan vendors, live entertainment and hundreds of fresh local strawberries were featured at Calera’s third annual Strawberry Festival April 30.

Boasted as Calera’s largest community event, parks and recreation director Seth Gandy said the festival sees thousands of guests each year.

“Everybody loves it; it‘s a great community event,” Gandy said. “It gets everybody to come to Calera, and the citizens enjoy it and look forward to it every year.”

Guests cycled through the more than 50 vendors at Oliver Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., often toting baskets full of fresh strawberries and other handmade goods, such as soaps, jams, wooden signs and more.

Kids gathered around Pet World’s booth, where they found animals such as a small parrot, live lizards, a turtle and even an alligator. Their faces seemed to light up as their parents allowed them to stroke the belly and snout of the small gator.

The free Kids’ Zone was alive with activity from face painting to sand art to hula hooping contests. There was also a bouncy house.

Off the Hook, Lazy Boy BBQ and FRIOS food trucks served food to guests, along with several vendors who were selling hamburgers and hot dogs.

“I enjoy the whole thing obviously, but I really enjoy the bands,” Gandy said. “We usually have bluegrass bands, and everyone seems to have a good time.”

Live bands performed under a large pavilion and entertained guests all day as they enjoyed fares from the local vendors.

Of course, the Strawberry Festival wouldn’t be complete without the strawberries. Vendors provided strawberries of all kinds, including strawberry jams and lemonade, chocolate-dipped strawberries and other baked goods.

Gandy said they bring in Alabama-grown strawberries, many in the Chilton County area, for people to purchase by the basketful.

“Oh they are, they are delicious,” he said. “You can totally tell the difference between store-bought and the ones that are locally grown.”