Saturday, April 9, was the first annual Strawberry Festival held in Chilton County. The city of Thorsby hosted the event at the Richard H. Wood Memorial Park, located at 9017 Franklin Street.

The festival was organized to promote the local strawberry farms in the area and showcase all the different things that can be made with the fruit.

The event featured arts, crafts and antique vendors, as well as those selling food and beverages.

Various contests help the event celebrate the fat red berry. There was the best strawberry dessert, best preserves and jams and the best savory and sweet competition.

Wanda Stinson, a resident of Georgiana, took first place in the Savory award with her ‘Aunt Wanda’s Strawberry Salad’ recipe.

A native of Chilton county, she is especially happy with this award. Stinson said, “My Grandpa Crumpton grew strawberries there in the 1930’s. The berries were picked by hand and placed in wooden cups. Then, they were packed into wooden crates and carried to the train station by mules and wagons. They went as far as Chicago.”

Stinson is not a stranger to award winning treats. She has won the Butler county Heritage Bake Off with two first place desserts.

Stinson gladly agreed to share her award-winning recipe with all those who love strawberries as much as she does.

Aunt Wanda’s Strawberry Salad

Dressing:

½ cup red wine vinegar

½ cup pure honey (locale honey preferred)

4 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

Combine above ingredients. Pour into a jar with a lid. Keep in the refrigerator until time to serve. Shake well and drizzle over salad. Serve immediately.

Salad:

1 medium head iceberg lettuce, washed and crisp. Tear or cut into bite size pieces and place in salad bowl. Arrange the following ingredients in a pleasing pattern on top of the lettuce:

2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

1 (15 ounce) can of mandarin oranges, drained

¾ cup fresh blueberries

Crumpled feta cheese to taste

½ cup pecans, lightly toasted.

You can visit the festival at chiltoncountystrawberryfestival.com, or call (334)782-4507. They can also be contacted on Facebook.