Strawberry Festival & Book Fair 2009

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Strawberry Festival & Book Fair 2009
at the Nesmith Library in Windham, NH

For more than two and a half decades, springtime in Windham has meant
the Friends of the Library of Windham (F.L.O.W.) hosts its annual
Strawberry Festival & Book Fair. This year’s Festival and Book Fair
will be held on Saturday, June 6th, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., on
the grounds of the Nesmith Library on Fellows Road (off Rte 111) in
Windham, New Hampshire. Members of F.L.O.W. (including those who have
recently renewed their membership for the 2009-2010 year), and senior
citizens are invited to an “Early Bird” Book Fair on Thursday, June
4th from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

The Strawberry Festival is not only one of the largest community
events in Windham each year, but it is also the primary fundraising
event for the Nesmith Library. Thousands of citizens from Windham,
and nearby towns, come together to celebrate community, purchase
books, play games, listen to musicians, watch performers, have a bite
to eat, enter raffles to win fantastic prizes, and, of course, enjoy
delicious homemade strawberry shortcake.

New to this year’s Festival - game bracelets! Forget juggling
individual game tickets, and purchase a game bracelet for $5.00
(children ages three and under) or $7.00 (children four and older) and
enjoy unlimited games throughout the Festival. The games area will be
open from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Many popular games will return
this year: Basketball Toss, Duck Pond, Life Size Operation, Soccer
Kick, and new this year – The Froggy Fling (get two bugs into the
frog‘s mouth and win) and Stand It (stand the bottle with a fishing
pole and win). Inflatable adventures will include the Moonwalk, a 22-
Foot Screamer Slide, an Obstacle Course, Jousting, and Bugsy the
Caterpillar Maze!

For a nominal fee, children may get their faces painted, make sand
art, and take home a balloon animal. To celebrate both books and
spring, children can create their own bookmarks or exercise their
green thumbs and take home their own strawberry plant! The Windham
Police and Fire Departments will have their vehicles on display and
provide safety activities for children.

Visit the Dunk Tank! It’s sure to make a splash when our local
“dunkees” take turns on the throne. “Invited” dunkees include:
Windham School Principals Deb Armfield (Golden Brook School), Andy
Derosiers (Windham Center School) and Rich Manley (Windham High
School); numerous Windham School District teachers and administrators;
Recreation Committee President Dennis Senibaldi; School Board Member
Mike Hatem; and Nesmith Library’s own Director Carl Heidenblad. Come
help these dedicated educators and citizens make a splash! A complete
schedule of dunkee names and times will be available a week before the
Festival. You never know who’ll be up for a dip and a dunk,
especially if the day is a hot one!

The Festival has a new stage this year! The stage will be located on
the grass area (near the food) and will be “strawberry jam” packed
with entertainment. The day will open with a ceremony from the Boy
Scouts of Troop 266 and the Windham Junior Drumline. They will be
followed by The Windham Community Band, guest storyteller Erin Fehlau
(WMUR’s news anchor), and F.L.O.W. Scholarship Announcements. As the
day progresses, there will be demonstrations from festival Platinum
Sponsor Golden Crane Traditional Martial Arts, Dance Impressions, New
England Gymnastics Training Center, and Karate International. Other
performers include: The Windham Middle School Cheerleaders, Project
Percussion (The Windham Middle School Recycling Band) and Windham’s
own rock band - Boss Tweed. The Boy Scouts of Troop 263 will conduct
the Festival’s closing ceremony. The entire day will be emceed by AJ
Music Entertainment.

On to the FOOD! Local chefs will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers
at the “Chuck Wagon” Grills. Enjoy a variety of culinary delights
from local restaurants including: Capri Pizza, Gourmet Grille, Village
Bean, The Common Man Restaurant, and new this year, Li's Asian
Gourmet. Glen’s Cone will have tasty treats for the children
including cotton candy, slushes, and fried dough. It would not be the
Strawberry Festival without homemade strawberry shortcakes for the
adults and mini (make your own) sundaes or shortcakes for the kids.

If you are feeling lucky, visit our raffle table where local
businesses and organizations have generously donated a variety of
prizes. Raffle entrants can win six yards of mulch (delivery
included) from Windham Outdoor Sales, a new 'tree' gift certificate
from Delahunty's Nursery and Florist, four hours of spring cleaning
from 'Annie Get Your Broom', a complete Dance Birthday Party at Dance
Impressions, a Princess Tea Party (for four) at The Shabby Chic, a
full car detail from Clean Monster Car Wash, a one month fitness club
membership to the Salem Athletic Club, a Pampered Pet Package at Woof
Woof Professional Dog Services, a two hour paint color or home design
consultation from Hosking Interiors, a Nintendo DSi & Mario Brothers’
video game donated by F.L.O.W., a bouquet of savings "Gift Card Plant"
courtesy of the Mom's Club of Windham, and a full dog grooming at
Marjorie's Professional Pet Grooming. F.L.O.W. has its own
membership raffle! Re-new or initiate a new F.L.O.W. Membership on or
before the Festival and your name will automatically be placed in a
drawing to win two Red Sox Tickets generously donated by the Dempsey
Family!!

Take the free and convenient “Shortcake Shuttles” to and from the
Strawberry Festival. The shuttles will be picking up/dropping off at
the Windham Center School or the Rte.111 Park & Ride parking lot. The
shuttles will run continuously from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. There
will be a designated area, at the Rte. 111 Park & Ride, for Handicap
Parking. Mom’s with infants who need some privacy can use the “Mom’s
Quiet Room.”

Mark your calendars for a day of family fun and community spirit at
the Strawberry Festival and Book Fair on June 6th in Windham!

For a complete schedule of events, please our website at www.flowwindham.org.
In the case of rain, the festival will be held at the Windham Center
School and the Book Fair will remain at the Nesmith Library.