LOXLEY, Ala — Proceeds from the Baldwin County Strawberry Festival gave both the Association for Retarded Citizens of Baldwin County and Loxley Elementary School $20,000.

The festival, according to its Web site, set a new attendance record this year. The event began as a result of a united effort between the ARCBC and LES.

“Despite all the talks of recession, the BCSF had a record turnout and a great year this year!  Many thank to our sponsor, volunteers, vendors and visitors!  We look forward to seeing all of you back next year!” said an announcement on the festival’s Web site.

“It was very good,” said Jeanine Stewart, the festival chairman. “Saturday was almost a record (for attendance). Sunday was Easter so attendance was down slightly on that day.

When asked if there was anything she’d change about the festival, which will celebrate its 23rd year next year, Stewart said, “Nothing. These were wonderful people to deal with.” Stewart will chair the 2010 edition of the festival.

Stewart reminded festival goers that parking in Loxley Municipal Park gets tight on busy days, but a BRATS shuttle will be available to take people from remote parking sites the the grounds of the festival next year.

Kathy Fleet, executive director of ARCBC said that her organization which serves 168 individuals in their “Day Habilitation” program, and 92 in their residential programs.

Fleet estimates that a large portion of the ARCBC budget comes from Medicaid and the program needs a “match” to secure funds.

“We contract with the state Department of Mental Health” said Fleet. “We are required to come up with local match money.” She added that the festival is very important to the ARC because the “match money” enables the group to provide services and assistance to more persons who are intellectually disabled.

De Ann Ramey, the principal of LES, also finds the “Strawberry Money” invaluable. In previous years, the school has used the funds to purchase computers for their classrooms and library, to air condition their multipurpose building, and to upgrade their playground equipment.

This year, the uses will be more basic.

“The new state budget does not allocate any instructional funds for the 09-10 school year, including classroom instructional supplies, library enhancement, technology, textbooks, and common purchases (such as copier costs),” said Ramey in an e-mail. “The Strawberry Festival proceeds will be used to supplement those missing funds so that our students and teachers will have basic supplies in their classrooms.”

There’s plenty of opportunity for individuals to help make next year’s edition of the festival a record-breaker.

“The other people can do is consider becoming a committee member,” said Stewart, adding that details about joining the steering committee are available on the festival’s Web site, baldwincountystrawberryfestival.org.