Mattituck Strawberry Festival celebrates 70 years, with berry treats and amusements

Livia Perrin had quite a year as the reigning Strawberry Queen. The 16-year-old junior from Mattituck has been making public appearances, doing speaking engagements as well as  attending charity events and parades representing the Mattituck Lions Club.

"This experience has been nothing but the best," Perrin says. "Whether it is wearing a crown and a cape or just a T-shirt on an average day, I am proud to say that I had the opportunity of serving the Mattituck Lions Club as their Strawberry Queen. Hopefully, my actions and community service has inspired the next generation to be involved in this great tradition."

Perrin will pass on her crown as the Lions Club appoints a new Strawberry Queen on June 14  at 4 p.m. during its 70th annual Strawberry Festival, which returns June 11-15 in Mattituck. This is one of many elements that make up the homespun event.

"The Mattituck Lions Club is a service-based organization and this is our annual fundraiser. We give back 100% of the proceeds to over 70 different organizations including the American Cancer Society, the Long Island Guide Dog Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and many more," says festival chairman Dave Dominy. "The community support keeps us donating to these charitable causes. We try to provide each family with an experience of entertainment from all different levels, whether it’s food, rides, games, contests or live music, and it all goes to a good cause."

HULLING NIGHT

Kicking things off June 11 is "Hulling Night." Admission is free and local community members come together to prepare the berries used for the fresh strawberry shortcake and strawberry daiquiris.

"The hulling process is when people use large straws to take out the core of the strawberry," says festival media director Dan Kelleher. "Many volunteers have been doing this since they were little kids and now, they’re adults volunteering with their own kids."

STRAWBERRY FOODS

For strawberry fans, the big white tent in the middle of the field is heaven because it serves as Strawberry Central where everything strawberry is sold — pies, daiquiris, chocolate-dipped strawberries, cookies, shortcakes, crumb cakes or just plain strawberries.

"We go through seven full pallets of strawberries, which is in the tens of thousands," Dominy says. "The strawberry shortcake and the chocolate-covered strawberries are the most popular items by far."

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE EATING CONTEST

 Watch professional competitive eaters from the Major League Eating circuit battle in the annual Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest on June 14  at 5 p.m. Contestants try to consume as many one-pound servings of strawberry shortcake as they can in eight minutes.

Last year Geoff Esper, 49, of Oxford, Massachusetts, broke his own world record by eating 23.75 pounds  of shortcake for the win.

"All the foods are different, but strawberry shortcake goes down easy. You can eat a lot of it," Esper says. "It’s a capacity food. Whoever’s got the biggest tank is usually going to win that contest. The key is not to slow down. Plus, you’ve got to use your hands. A spoon is too slow."

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

The North Fork’s Got Talent contest returns where more than 25 local acts go through a qualification round at The North Fork Community Theatre as a panel of judges picks 12 acts (six ages 15 and younger as well as six ages 16 and older) to compete on June 11  starting at 6 p.m.

"We’ve had everything from a solo singer to bands to stand-up comedians to dancers," says talent show chair Mike O’Donnell. "The winner receives $1,000 and second place gets $500."

The School of Rock delivers sets before (5 p.m.) and after (8 p.m.) the show.

Enjoy the music of Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney with the Jimmy Kenny Band on June 12  at 7 p.m. The Fever Band gets things going on June 13  at 7:30 p.m. while the smooth reggae of Aqua Cherry  opens the festival on June 14  at 12:30 p.m. and That 70s Band hits the stage at 7:30 p.m. Family entertainment will be the focus of Father’s Day, June 15  with Mad Science (12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.) and rock band Mean Machine (1:30 p.m.).

RIDES, GAMES, FIREWORKS AND MORE

In addition, there will be a full-size carnival with rides and midway games, on the north side of the property, provided by Reithoffer Shows. This year’s selection of more than 20 rides includes Monster Truck, Wiggle Worm, Galaxy, Rip Tide, the Zipper and Rock Star plus classic staples the Grand Carousel and the Century Wheel.

Hungry? Check out the food court on the south side of the property featuring fried Oreos, corn dogs, sausage and pepper heroes, burgers and fries, popcorn, funnel cakes plus fresh barbecue and Greek food.

At the vendor’s market, located right past the admission tent, more than 30 local artisans sell homemade jewelryclothing, handcrafted items and more.

American Fireworks Display is set to light up the night sky on June 12  at 9:15 p.m. plus June 13 and  June 14 at 10:30 p.m.

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.