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The Strawberry Festival--an old-fashioned celebration of summer dating back to 1951--will be held Sat., June 17, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the Great Lawn of Saint Barnabas’s Episcopal Church in Falmouth. Visitors will enjoy sumptuous strawberry shortcake with mounds of fresh whipped cream and sweet strawberries, lobster rolls and grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. In addition, the shopping will be plentiful with tables of extensive home-made baked goods, crafts, jewelry, accessories, books and “Grandma’s Attic” items. A family-oriented event, the festival will engage children of all ages with a magician, ventriloquist and face painting along with games and other activities. A town once famous for strawberries During a brief period in the 1930s, Falmouth was one of the largest producers of strawberries in the United States. Hundreds of Portuguese immigrants had arrived in Falmouth, buying land and starting strawberry farms. The Tony Andrews Farm in East Falmouth is the last remaining Portuguese-owned farm in the area. The Strawberry Festival will be the first of Saint Barnabas’s “Summer at StB’s” free entertainment for Falmouth residents and visitors. It will be followed by the ever- popular Lobster on the Lawn and performances by top-rated musical groups. All events will be held on the Great Lawn at 91 Main Street, across from the historic Village Green. Lobster on the Lawn Music Series Among the best on and off Cape Cod, the following jazz, rock and big band musical groups will perform from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., rain or shine, under the tent on the Great Lawn. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs. July 17– Dawna Hammers Trio. Songwriter and recording artist Dawna Hammers will perform a wide variety of popular songs from the 60s and 70s by songwriters Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Carole King, Van Morrison and The Beatles as well as her own powerful songs. She will be joined by bassist Danny "Mo” Morris and percussionist Sam Holmstock. July 24 – Tyler Newcomb Cape Jazz All-Stars. This full-sized professional big band, considered one of the best on the entire Cape, will play a variety of old and new jazz arrangements by artists ranging from Duke Ellington to Maynard Ferguson and Gordon Goodwin. July 31 –Big Al’s Rockin’ Band. This “rockin’ quartet” will feature music of the 60s and 70s, fusing voice, banter and all-time memorable tunes. August 7 – Justin Perry’s Steel Drum Trio. A favorite from last year’s entertainment--only better this year, the trio will include an additional steel player and drummer. August 14 – Paradise Rock. Named after a famous gathering place in Woods Hole, this band has been together since 1986 and will play music from the Woodstock era, encompassing different musical styles popular then. August 31 – FlyDown Band. This returning group is one of the busiest club bands on the Cape. This power trio will close out the Saint Barnabas’s music series for the summer of ’23. For more information on Summer at StB’s, call the church office at 508-548-3863.