April 14, 2009

Mark the date…The 2009 Strawberry Festival will be held on the grounds of Brandywine Hospital from Thursday, May 28 through Sunday, May 31, 2009. The Brandywine Health Foundation is pleased to announce that the 2009 Strawberry Festival, one of the oldest and most popular events in our community, is again being presented by Brandywine Hospital and Harleysville National Bank (following a merger with Willow Financial Bank) Over 25,000 visitors, families and friends, annually flock to this four-day extravaganza featuring rides, free entertainment, food and fun! Admission is free and there is non-stop excitement for kids of all ages.

Everyone is in need of an escape these days and something fun to look forward to. The 2009 Strawberry Festival offers that and more! After receiving rave reviews following the 2008 Strawberry Festival, the most successful festival to date, the organizing committee, led by Chris Saello of the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley and Stephanie Waite of Downingtown, immediately began working on new and exciting ideas for 2009! The new and improved, very affordable family fun areas Strawberryland sponsored by Herr Foods and the Berry Blast Zone sponsored by TD Bank, introduced in 2008 will be back by popular demand. Individuals will pay $8 for a wristband in each area which allows them to bounce and play all day in that area. Other additions to this year’s festival include a Guitar Hero/ Rock Band competition area, a Dunk Tank for laughs and everyone’s favorite Nickelodeon and Disney characters stopping by to say “HI!” throughout the four-day event! And, not to missed…everyone’s festival favorite, our famous, fabulous, deeeeee-licious Strawberry Shortcake!

The Festival begins Thursday night, May 28th with wristband night in the Majestic Midway and the widely anticipated teen Battle of the Bands followed by a special invitational concert by the 2007 and 2008 winning band, “Eden’s Unknown”. A spectacular fireworks display sponsored by Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital will light up the sky on Friday, May 29th at 9:30 following special live performances by two very popular area bands, “LEAVING CASH” at 5 pm and “Skin Tight” beginning at 7 pm. Saturday Night the Strawberry Stage, sponsored by Comcast, rocks with back to back live classic rock and blues performances by “Thirty Years After”, “Blue Sky” and “74/75”.

“Our community looks forward to the Strawberry Festival every year. Brandywine Hospital is proud to host this amazing event that attracts people of all ages and from all across the region to see what a beautiful part of Chester County this is. More importantly, the proceeds from the festival benefit the Brandywine Health Foundation, which supports services and programs that increase the overall health and wellness of our entire region,” stated Mark Benz, CEO of Brandywine Hospital. “I hope to see you there!”

Funds raised from the 2009 Strawberry Festival benefit a variety of health and human service organizations in the community through the Brandywine Health Foundation. The foundation has been the driving force behind the Brandywine Center which opened its doors last spring to bring together for the first time a variety of health and social services for the uninsured and under-insured, as well as low-income senior housing. Secondary beneficiaries of the Strawberry Festival include the Brandywine YMCA, the Coatesville Public Library, the Coatesville Rotary, and the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company.

For continually updated information regarding the 2009 Strawberry Festival presented by Brandywine Hospital and Harleysville National Bank, visit www.brandywinestrawberryfestival.com.