LOXLEY, Alabama — Come celebrate all things strawberry Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14 when the town of Loxley hosts the 32nd annual Baldwin County Strawberry Festival at the Loxley Municipal Park.

Organized as a fundraiser for the Loxley Elementary School PTO and ARC of Baldwin County, the festival features entertainment, arts and crafts, games and plenty of food, including that famous strawberry shortcake.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14 at the Loxley Municipal Park, presented this year by Wind Creek Casino & Hotel, Atmore and Baldwin EMC.

Organized as a fundraiser for the Loxley Elementary School PTO and ARC of Baldwin County, the festival was first held in May of 1987. According to its website, baldwincountystrawberryfestival.org, the festival raises more than $40,000 each year, split equally between the two beneficiaries.

The festival has grown from a few crafters and food vendors to include 165 arts and crafts exhibitors, a dozen different food vendors, a carnival with children’s games, antique auto show, exhibits and live music.

Entertainment will feature Brandi both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. On Saturday, The Tobi Lee will perform from noon to 3 p.m., followed by the Tommy Morse Band from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday’s entertainment will feature the Na Na Sha from noon to 3 and Roland Cobbs from 3 to 5.

Saturday’s festivities will kick off with the 3rd Annual Strawberry Festival 5K and Fun Run, sponsored by the Loxley Church. The 5K race begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by the Fun Run at 8:15 a.m.

These races are a Little Red Hen Production and are certified. Races will start and end at the northwest corner of the Loxley Municipal Park and will tour through the downtown area.

Pre-registration costs $20 for adults, $15 for youth 12 and under. Shirts are also available for $15. You can mail entry forms to Loxley Church, 5220 S. Hickory St.; P.O. Box 499, Loxley, AL 36551 (must be postmarked by April 6). You can also register online at events.com until 4 a.m. April 12 or in person at McCoy Outdoor, Run-N-Tri or Fleet Feet in Mobile, Running Wild in Fairhope, Loxley Church or United Bank in Loxley until noon on April 11.

Packet pick-up and race day registration will be at Loxley Municipal Park from 6 to 7:15 a.m. Registration on race day will be $25 for adults, $20 for youth.

An awards presentation will be held immediately following the fun run with awards presented to the top male and female overall 5K finishers, plus the top two male and female finishers in 14 age groups ranging from 9 and under to 70-plus, along with the top three male and female walk finishers. Awards will also be presented to the top three male and female fun run finishers and participation ribbons will be presented to all finishers.

Make checks payable to Loxley Church. Proceeds benefit Loxley Elementary School and ARC of Baldwin County. For more information visit baldwincountystrawbeerryfestival.org.

The annual Strawberry Festival Car Show will be held featuring car shows on Saturday and Sunday. Registration each day will be held 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with trophy presentations at 3 p.m. Registration on the day of the event is $25.

The event also features Little Miss Strawberry, crowned every year in March at the Loxley Civic Center. The pageant is open to all second grade girls in Baldwin County.