I have been told that a proper festival should begin with a proper introduction.As Cats Hollow’s officially unofficial Jam Master, keeper of secret strawberry recipes, and occasional supervisor of kitchen-related catastrophes, I suppose that responsibility falls to me.
So welcome!
The Cats Hollow Strawberry Festival has returned, and for a little while our town smells faintly of fresh berries, warm pastries, sunshine, and happiness.
Not necessarily in that order.
If you’ve never visited before, you may wonder what exactly happens during a strawberry festival.
The answer is simple. Almost everything.
You can wander through the Strawberry Market and discover handcrafted souvenirs lovingly created by local residents. From decorative keepsakes to charming gifts, nearly everything has one thing in common: strawberries.
Lots and lots of strawberries.
Some visitors arrive intending to buy a single souvenir and somehow leave carrying armfuls of baskets, pillows, mugs, decorations, and other treasures.
Nobody really knows how this happens. It remains one of Cats Hollow’s great mysteries. Of course, strawberries are not merely for looking at.
You can purchase fresh berries, pick your own, or sample an astonishing number of strawberry-inspired treats throughout the festival grounds. Cakes, sweets, drinks, desserts, and recipes that probably contain more strawberries than any sensible person would recommend.
Personally, I consider that a feature rather than a problem.
Families are especially welcome during the festival. The Family Barn is one of my favorite places in town. It offers a large playground where younger visitors can climb, explore, and play while parents enjoy a slower pace for a little while. It is a place filled with laughter, imagination, and the kind of memories that stay with people long after the festival ends.
Should your adventures leave you in need of excitement, the Funfair is waiting. Bright lights, games, attractions, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the company of friends and family make it one of the busiest spots in town. Every year I tell myself I will visit for only a few minutes. Every year I am wrong.
And then there is the matter of the jam. A serious matter.
Throughout the festival you may find me at my cooking station, where I demonstrate the fine and noble art of strawberry jam making. Visitors are welcome to watch, ask questions, and occasionally pretend not to notice when my feline assistants become distracted by quality-control testing.
Jam making requires patience, dedication, and absolutely no cats standing inside the ingredient basket. (We are still working on that last rule.)
What makes this festival special is not simply the strawberries. It is the feeling of community. Friends meeting for an afternoon stroll. Families exploring together. Visitors discovering Cats Hollow for the very first time. People stopping to chat, laugh, share stories, and create memories. The festival gives us an excuse to slow down for a little while and enjoy those moments. And perhaps enjoy a slice of strawberry cake while we’re at it. Or two.
Before you leave, I would also encourage you to join our group, Inside Cats Hollow.
We believe news should be helpful rather than overwhelming, so the group is used to share important updates, upcoming events, and community news without filling your notices with unnecessary clutter. It’s a wonderful way to stay connected and see what adventures await next. Until then, I hope you’ll explore every corner of the festival, discover something delightful, and leave with a basket full of strawberries and a smile on your face.
Warm wishes,
Hamish Fluffington
Jam Master of Cats Hollow
Guardian of the Strawberry Kettle
Occasional Cat Wrangler
