Cullman County District Judge Rusty Turner, right, mans the grill during the 2016 Strawberry Festival. 

Strawberry lovers will unite in downtown Cullman again Saturday as the annual Strawberry Festival closes out with a full day of events, from live music to classic cars, tasty treats and children’s activities.

The red-stained faces and hands of the young and old and near perfect weather Friday afternoon made for an excellent opening day of the county’s oldest festival. Local farmers sold bucket after bucket of fresh strawberries, and on Saturday, even more farmers and vendors are expected to fill the Festhalle with delicious homegrown strawberries. 

The Dungan family made the drive up from Springville Friday to experience their first Strawberry Festival. 

“We always pick strawberries at a farm around Cleveland (in Blount County), and we saw Cullman was having the festival so we came over,” Chris Dungan said. “We got here early around 2:30 p.m. so we grabbed some Moe’s BBQ and came back, and we’ve had a great time. My wife saw where the Pine Hill Haints were playing tonight, and she remembered them from Auburn. But I don’t think we’ll be staying that late.”

Dungan helped his daughter draw a big strawberry with sidewalk chalk, one of a number of activities for children behind the Cullman County Museum. There’s a variety of bounce houses —  with the ones shaped like a monster truck and pink princess horse-drawn carriage being the obvious the crowd favorites — along with corn horn, hula hoops and jumbo checkers to keep the kids busy. 

Arts and crafts vendors, a car show and live music from local acts will be in store Saturday. The Community Band will start off the day, followed by the Cullman High School Choir and Jazz Band. Shannon McNeal, a regular at Karma’s Coffee House, and Cullman’s own Overtones will take the stage in the afternoon and evening ahead of Round 2, a local acoustic country, rock and folk band, who will close out the night.

Earlier Friday, senior citizens enjoyed several rounds of Bingo, lunch and prizes, and the sounds of bluegrass and country music. Friday afternoon, the Festhalle and Depot Park swelled with attendees again who came out to try all kinds of strawberry delicacies. 

“We live in Cullman, but this is our first time,” said David Talley. 

He and fellow Cullman resident Noreen Sullivan feasted on strawberries with California transplant Alec Turnbull who moved to Guntersville last year.

Florence-based Clara Belle and the Creeps kicked off Friday’s trio of musical acts, setting the mood with an upbeat set that included an accordion, saxophone, xylophone and its 14-year-old lead singer belting out covers along with some impressive original songs. Winston Ramble, a Birmingham folk-rock band comprised by Winston County natives, got the night-time crowd going ahead of the Pine Hill Saints who performed its eclectic mix of gospel, rockabilly, rock, celtic and blues. 

For more information about the Cullman Strawberry Festival, go to Cullman Parks and Recreation’s website at www.cullmanrecreation.org.

* Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 135.