Over 150 entries present for Strawberry Festival’s Grand Floats Parade

May 10, 2024

Emily Goodwin,

HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — The West Tennessee Strawberry Festival kicks off another day of celebration and today’s main event had more entries than in recent years.

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The West Tennessee Strawberry Festival will be wrapping up on Saturday, May 11.

However, residents who have attended the week-long event, say the celebration is far from over.

Friday morning, May 10, kicked off with the Grand Floats Parade.

This year, more than 150 entries were in the parade.

Surrounding high schools with their marching bands, local politicians, multiple businesses and more came out to represent and celebrate West Tennessee.

You could see thousands of people lined down Main Street with their families to watch the parade.

Lifelong resident, Virginia Blakemore, says she awaits the days leading up to the festival by making hats and all things strawberry every year.

“Well, I’ve lived here all of my life. I’ve always been the strawberry person and I will be as long as I live. I’m going on 86 years old. I’ve done this all of my life and look forward to it,” said Blakemore.

Many people did enjoy seeing the marching bands but for others it was hard to say what their favorite entry was in the parade.

“I love it all! I can’t really say a certain things because I love every bit of it,” said Blakemore.

Some residents said they’ve been anticipating the Grand Floats Parade because this is something new for them.

“You know this is our first year out at the parade and I was so excited this morning to bring him,” said Gabe and Nancy, first time parade watchers.