SCHEDULESaturday, May 4• 7 a.m. Ed Gentry Memorial Run/Walk (call Rhea YMCA at 423-775-0821)• 10 a.m. Strawberry Pageant at Rhea County Courthouse• 10 a.m. Kids Fishing Rodeo at Point ParkTuesday, May 7• 6 p.m. Carnival openWednesday May 8• 5 p.m. Music and strawberry shortcake served at Centennial Park• 6 p.m. Pie & Cake Contest at Pooh's Place, Market Street• 6 p.m. Carnival openThursday, May 9• 9 a.m. Dayton Art League Fine Arts Show at Rhea County Courthouse• 6 p.m. Carnival open• 6 p.m. Children's Night at Pendergrass Park (at the Dayton YMCA in case of rain)Friday, May 10• 8 a.m.-dark. Food and craft vendors• 9 a.m. Dayton Art League fine arts show at Rhea County Courthouse• 5 p.m. Cruise-In• 6 p.m. Strawberry Festival Charity Auction at Rhea County Courthouse• 6 p.m. Dayton Lions Club Men's Softball Tournament (www.softballwire.com)• 6 p.m. Carnival open• 8-11 p.m. Rubik's Groove '80s dance/showSaturday, May 11• 6:30 a.m. Berry Peddler Road Race & Time Trial (www.ScenicCityVelo.com)• 7 a.m. Dayton Lions Club men's softball tournament (www.softballwire.com)• 7 a.m. Dayton Rotary pancake breakfast• 9 a.m. Dayton Art League fine arts show at Rhea County Courthouse• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Entertainment at Courthouse Stage (gospel music) and Rotary Park Stage (variety)• 9 a.m.-dark. Craft and food vendors; family fun zones• 1 p.m. Tennessee Strawberry Festival Parade• 1 p.m. Carnival open• 3-7 p.m. Entertainment on Centennial Park Stage• 3-8 p.m. Gospel music at Courthouse Stage• 7:15-9:15 p.m. Calling Glory
Organizers of the Tennessee Strawberry Festival won't be bound by gravity this year. The theme for the 66th annual celebration is "Strawberries in Space."
Events begin Saturday, May 4, leading up to a parade the following Saturday, May 11, that typically draws thousands to downtown Dayton. Many events on the final weekend are held at or near the Rhea County Courthouse on Market Street.
A carnival begins Tuesday, May 7, on the south end of downtown. Merchants and banks have coupons for admission discounts on designated days.
Among the parade entrants are contestants in the Rhea County Junior Miss Program. The winner will be crowned in ceremonies at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in Rudd Hall at Bryan College.
For more information, call 423-775-0361 or visit tnstrawberryfestival.com.
A Pie & Cake Contest, seeking Rhea County residents' favorite strawberry recipes, is part of the weeklong celebration of the Tennessee Strawberry Festival in Dayton. Entries will be judged Wednesday at Pooh's Place on Market Street.