Strawberry Festival Kicks Off in Humboldt
HUMBOLDT, Tenn. – Music was in the air and the community members crowded the stands at Humboldt High School, kicking off the 76th annual West Tennessee Strawberry Festival. “It’s a wonderful things for this community,” said Marvin Sikes. “It brings people together.” Although the festival is free, revenue is created from entry fees for individual events like the pageant, parades, cook-offs and more. “With all the events we have going on all week long, it does add up for Humboldt,” Sherri McCarter. And in a small town of just more than 8,500 people, all of the visitors have a huge impact. The dollar figure amount, according to the Chamber of Commerce, is hard to calculate but is significant. “We have anywhere from 65,000 to 75,000 people that come to Humboldt during the week of the festival,” said McCarter. “So the festival is a huge boom for our economy. Some Humboldt residents told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News that what makes this festival so special to them is how it brings the entire community together. “It’s a hometown homecoming,” said Sikes. “That’s the way I look at it. People come here from all over the United States and participate in this and have a great week.”
