The city of Cullman will kickoff the 2009 farmers market season with the Strawberry Days festival this Friday and Saturday at the Festhalle Market Platz.

“We have a lot of new things this year,” said Jimmy Simms, Festhalle Market manager.

the festival has grown in just its second year.

“We have so much going on that we have had to expand the festival to two days,” Simms said.

Friday, May 15 will be senior day at the market. The Commission on Aging is closing all area senior centers and asking everyone to congregate at the Festhalle for singing, games and other activities.

The Cullman Downtown Merchants Association will be participating both days with participating businesses having a strawberry cut-out in their store front. The participating merchants will offer special bargains, drawings and discounts.

“We want to have something for the whole family,” Simms said. “We are just looking for a great two days and hoping families get out and enjoy it.”

The Festhalle Market will feature strawberries from Cullman County farmers and many other events. There will be a 5K Strawberry Run beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday sponsored by Mental Healthcare of Cullman. Registration forms are available online at www.mentalhealthcareofcullman.org or on the city website at www.cullmancity.org. For more information contact Chris Vandyke at 256-734-4688.

Opening ceremonies will be Saturday, at 9 a.m. under the Festhalle, with remarks from mayor Max Townson, the singing of the national anthem and the Sons of the American Revolution presenting the flag.

Other events on Saturday include a car show, an antique tractor show and an arts and crafts fair both days under the Festhalle Market.

“We will have several strawberry vendors,” Simms said. “Strawberry is still king in Cullman.”

There will be a concert on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. by the Community Concert Band and Jazz Band under the direction of Robert Bean. Simms encouraged people to bring lawn chairs and blankets to have a seat during the concert.

The farmer’s market will open at 7 a.m. both days and the festival will run until 5 p.m. both days.

There will also be a strawberry cook-off on Saturday, sponsored by the Cullman County Farm-City Committee. There will be categories in pies, cakes and other desserts for adults and youth. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category.

Other events include a free guided walking tour of churches sponsored by the Cullman County Museum. The tour will leave the museum at 10 a.m. on Saturday. For more information call 739-1258.

Also planned is an art show, pet parade, wagon rides, children’s games, pony rides, food vendors, live entertainment, free giveaways for children and an appearance by the strawberry days mascot. Most events will be under the Festhalle, at Depot Park and the parking lot behind the Cullman County Museum.

There is no charge for strawberry days and parking will be available behind the Cullman County Museum. For more information contact Jimmy Simms, market manager at 775-7207.

‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 221.