The 80th Strawberry Festival weekend will start with some showers Friday and clear into blue skies and warm temperatures throughout Saturday’s event.

By the time the Senior Shindig ends just after 2 p.m. today at the Festhalle Market Platz, the weather will transition into what weather forecasters describe as a perfect spring day.

With the Strawberry Festival opening at 8 a.m. Saturday, Cullman Parks, Recreations & Sports Tourism Director Nathan Anderson said he is anticipating one of the largest crowds in recent memory.

“The festival has been growing for several years as we’ve added more features for people to enjoy. I think the addition of a headline musical act like the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band taking the stage, we’ll see even more visitors from outside the area,” Anderson said. “This is a great time to celebrate our agricultural history and its present-day importance, while also introducing more people to our community.”

The festival covers the Festhalle, Depot Park, a portion of Arnold Street and the Warehouse District. There is no admission fee for any of the events, including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band concert.

The full schedule for the Strawberry Festival:

8 a.m.

Arts & Crafts Fair Opens

8 a.m.

Farmers Market Opens

8 a.m.

St. Bernard Jazz Band Performance

8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Kids’ Activities

8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Food Trucks

8:35 a.m.

CHS Choir and CMS Choir Performance

9:30 a.m.

Cullman Community Band Performance

10 a.m.

Baking Competition Submissions Close

11 a.m.

Cullman High School Jazz Band Performance

12:15 p.m.

Shannon McNeal Performance

1 p.m.

Introduction of Miss Strawberry Queen & Announcement of Baking Competition Winner

2:30 p.m.

The Overtones Performance

3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Major League Fishing Meet & Greet

4 p.m.

Round 2 Performance

6:30 p.m.

Blind the Sky Performance

8 p.m.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Concert