Strawberry Festival 2013

Everyone could enjoy the offerings at Monett's Strawberry Festival. While Micki Garren picked up some strawberries, her children, Alie, Macy and Andy, had fun with face painting, provided by Glitter Dazzle, of Cassville. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Roaring River Sound provided music for the May 31 street dance, held inside the former Westco building. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Placing in the strawberry baking contest, from left, are: Judy Davis, first with butter cookies and strawberry preserves; Stephanie Schumacher, second for a strawberry pie; and Kaitlyn Schumacher, third for her strawberry muffins. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

The pet parade at Strawberry Fest on June 1 was dominated by two owners. Bob Reinhardt had Maggie, held at left by Teresa Barb, and six dachsunds. Lenny Davis, at right, had Bear, who won best overall. Shaun Bennett, festival co-chairman, served as parade announcer. Prizes were provided by Preferred Pet of Monett. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Monett singer/songwriter Leon Troyer served as master of ceremonies for the Saturday entertainment at Monett's Strawberry Festival, performing many of his recorded songs. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Penny and Mark Coatney sampled the strawberry shortcake offered by Kim Howerton, at left, from Berean Christian Academy, one of the vendors offering real strawberry treats during Monett's festival. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Three contestants faced the challenge of eating the Kodiak, a 20-scoop ice cream treat. Participants, from left, are: Lenny Davis, Jeff Ogle and Rafael Contreras. Davis was the winner in record time. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Leon Perry provided a flintknapping demonstration for the May 31 crowd at Strawberry Fest. Perry, at left, coached Ty Machett, at right, in the craft. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Vendors at Strawberry Fest offered homemade products as a promotion of crafts from the strawberry harvest days. Holly Bloomer, of Joplin, at right, sold one of her patriotic candle holders to Mary Mael. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

The Monett Kiwanis Club unleashed more than 300 plastic ducks which raced to a finish line on Third Street in the club's second annual fundraising duck race. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Dancers from Grupo Folkl--rico Tlaquepaque, from Monett, gave colorful demonstrations of traditional Mexican dances during Monett's Strawberry Festival on June 1. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

A new book collecting the reminiscences of Monett historian Roxie Scott was unveiled by the Monett Historical Society during the Strawberry Festival on June 1. Paul Camp, at rear, was one of many society members staffing the group's booth. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

The bluegrass band Spur of the Moment provided up tempo entertainment for the afternoon crowd on June 1. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

The Weekenders band provided rock music for the Saturday crowd. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Once the clouds cleared around midday on June 1, downtown Monett became an ideal setting for Monett's third annual Strawberry Festival. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Those who stayed late on Friday, March 31 had all the fun to themselves. Gerardo Nuņez, at right, rang the bell in the strong man game close to 9 p.m. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Winners in the Strawberry Festival royalty pageant are shown above. Picitured, from left, are: Makinley Moennig, Makenna Hartwigsen, Laira Prifti, Jacob Stevenson, Heath Horton and Gabe Schuman. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

The red T-shirts for the 2013 Strawberry Festival proved to be a popular item among shoppers at the festival. Shaun Bennett, at right, explained shirts from all three festivals were still available. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Zumba instructors, from left, Rendy Smith, Jennifer Schmidt and Kala Brown, from the Fitness Center in Aurora, charged up the Saturday morning crowd at Strawberry Fest. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

The Bootkickers provided a line dancing demonstration for the morning audience on Saturday, June 1 at the Monett Strawberry Festival. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Though most of the dancing was by members of the Bootkickers, the Friday night street dance at Monett's Strawberry festival moved inside the former Westco building and offered a pleasant setting for more than 50 people who gathered to listen to the Roaring River Sound band. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Inflatables from Star-Walk Amusements in Cassville provided popular entertainment for children during both days of Strawberry Fest. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Members of Grupo Folklorico Tlaquepaque demonstrated the pre-Hispanic dance in celebration of the pineapple harvest during Strawberry Fest on June 1. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

The Associated Press acknowledges Monett's preeminence as a strawberry center from the May 28, 1943 issue of The Monett Times.