Monett Strawberry Festival

Phil Atchley wanted to take a memento of Monett's Strawberry Festival back to all the members of his family and returned to buy a third T-shirt. Atchley, at right, is shown with Donna Hammond, co-chairperson of the festival. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Vickie Golubski, of Monett, at right, and Tyler Schumann, of Joplin, dug in to a colorful cup of Tropical Snow at part of the fun at Monett's Strawberry Festival. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Part of the fun of the Strawberry Festival was indulging in berry-flavored foods. Shanda Blackburn and her daughter, Lauren, 6, sampled the homemade strawberry ice cream made by the Monett Lions Club. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Friday night at the Strawberry Festival was cool and wet from late afternoon showers. Warm food vendors did particularly good business. The crowds grew into the evening to hear the live entertainment. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Under a clear sky, weather conditions were ideal for Monett Strawberry Festival on Saturday in downtown Monett. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Russ Pendergraft's 1972 Monte Carlo, at left, was one of a number of cruise-in showpieces drawing attention on Friday night at Monett's Strawberry Festival. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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One of the major attractions for the Strawberry Festival on Saturday was the bike show organized by the Chariots of Grace Christian biking club. Among the participants, from left, were: William Wilkes, of Aurora, road captain for the Christian Motorcycle Association; Jane Werle, of Ozark, and Don Dilley, of Springfield. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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As the time approached for the Kiwanis Club's big duck race at Strawberry Fest, Gary Ferdig, at right, bought the last duck sold. Accepting money for the charity fundraiser were Kiwanians, from left, Jon Suit, Dayton Mackey and Norm Hammond. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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It was a tortured course for the Monett Kiwanis Club's duck race along the curb on Fourth Street during Monett's Strawberry Festival on Saturday. Sandbags blocked the course and the inverted chute at the end of the course offered no guarantee of victory for the leaders. Winning the first place $500 prize was Ed Spencer of Mt. Vernon. Sue Negre, Jared Utter and Camryn Wallace, all of Monett, won the remaining prize money. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Dance demonstrations by several age groups were given by the ShoMe Dance Team, a new group from Mt. Vernon led by Kristy Gorman. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Brianna Holloway, age 6, stepped out of the Round the Berry ride, a very fitting attraction for Monett's Strawberry Festival from Southern Fun Carnival. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Carnival rides brought fun to Monettans for three nights. Karys Harvey, 4, was all smiles as she enjoyed the car ride on Saturday. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Despite the cool evening on Friday, Gabriel Barrientos, age 2, was all smiles enjoying the fish ride from Southern Fun Carnival. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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The baking contest for the Strawberry Festival challenged local cooks to use the delectable fruit in classic dishes. Judges and event coordinators are shown getting ready for the big tasting. From left are: Glenda Cuendet, Agnes Bruner, Lisa and Bruce Schoon and event chairperson Cindy Stephens. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Benjamin Hall, of Monett, won the 10-scoop ice cream eating contest at Monett's Strawberry Festival for the second year in a row. Hall's time was four minutes and 24 seconds, 40 seconds slower than last year, which Hall blamed on the colder weather slowing him down. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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A first place winner was named in each of the five age categories for the Petite King and Queen for Monett's Strawberry Festival. From left, are: Addison Branch, girls 2-3; Porter Reed, boys 4-5; Wyatt Reed, boys 2-3; Lily Calvin, girls 1 and under; and Israel Villasenor, boys 1 and under. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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An honorable mention winner was named in each of the age groups for the Petite King and Queen contest for Monett's Strawberry Festival. Named honorable mention, from left, are: Henry Reed, boys 2-3; Memphis Reed, boys age 1 and under; Amelia Boggess, girls 2-3; and Emelynna Avila, girls 1 and under. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Vendors brought a wide variety of locally made products to sell at Strawberry Fest. Lacee Murphy shopped with her mother, Rebecca Murphy, for tulle tutus offered by Kymber Rose Ribbons-N-Bows, from Marionville. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Pierce City musician Mark Chapman, at right, and his brother, Jeffrey, at left, played for the Friday evening crowd. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Members of the popular local band Tequila, Lime, No Salt provided the final entertainment to close the show on Monett's Strawberry Festival on Saturday. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Taking the plunge of the carnival slide produced a big smile for Johan Cordero on Saturday afternoon. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Staffing the Jaycees booth on Friday at the Strawberry Festival were, from left, Frank McCollough, Chrissy Murie and Jonathan Hagar. They collected donations for a bicycle drawing, the proceeds from which help support local charitable projects of the Jaycees. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Carnivals often include distinctive prizes. An inflated mace on an inflated chain and stick was the prize secured by children throwing balls into a hippo's mouth. From left are: Kelsey Bridgford, Anneliese Lindsay, Clara Lindsay and Marshall Lindsay, all of Monett. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)
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