Fun-filled festivities kick off during Strawberry Festival Jr. Floats Parade

HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — Well, it doesn’t get much sweeter than this! Humboldt Main Street turned into a “berry” delightful runway Thursday as kids from all over rolled out their best and brightest floats.

The 87th annual West Tennessee Strawberry Festival is back, and it’s bursting with live music, creativity and fun.

Local kids put their imaginations in gear and brought the town to life with floats that were as adorable as they were impressive.

Kids from across West Tennessee gathered to showcase their talents and enjoy the festivities.

“Today, we are cheering for East Elementary School. We are just cheering them on. We are excited for the Strawberry Festival, just bringing team spirit. East, let’s go!” said Brionna Anderson, cheer coach for East Elementary.

This parade is very unique because there are no motorized floats. Each structure is hand pulled by locals.

“So, today we’re gonna be pulling this float. We’re gonna pull it all the way down to the end of this parade route,” said Ju’Quaveon Lewis, Humboldt football player.

And they had quite a long way to go. According to the Vikings, the floats were not a challenge. Parade attendees also enjoyed delicious meals from a variety of food trucks.

They had funnel cakes, loaded fries and much more!

“My favorite part is the food because I’m a food person, and I love food, but this festival is more than just the parade, and the food, and the carnival. It’s about the whole community getting together and celebrating being able to have a 87th festival this year,” said Makayla Murphy, Miss Territorial Queen.

The community celebrated each youth participant in the junior parade. Whether they were riding on elaborate floats or through the street on well-designed bikes.

“I’ve come here since I was 2 years old, and I keep coming back here for a reason, because the community comes together, and it’s honestly just my favorite week of the year,” said Katherine West, 2nd Queen for Miss Territorial.

If you missed Thursday’s festivities, don’t worry. The fun will resume Friday, May 9 at 10 a.m. for the Grand Floats Parade. For more information on parade festivities, click here.

For more Gibson County news, click here.