LOXLEY, Ala. — The 24th Annual Strawberry Festival will go on as planned at Loxley Municipal Park on Saturday and Sunday, event organizers said.

“We are very excited about the Strawberry Festival this year. We are expecting a large crowd and really good weather and encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the festival. We think it’s going to be the best year yet and have all our vendors coming back,” said Mary Carolyn McDaniel, a festival organizer.

Despite rumors of cancellation on a similar websites created to distract people from attending the festival, it will continue.

Benefitting Loxley Elementary School and the Association for Retarded Citizens, the free event kicks off at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday and will feature 165 arts and crafts vendors and 12 food vendors form all over the region selling everything from jewelry, clothing, woodwork items, furniture, candles, purses, wallets, belts, hair accessories and sunglasses.

Barbara Sharp, festival committee member, said entertainment on both days will include bands Grits n Pieces on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12. p.m., Tip Tops from 12:30-3 p.m., Ronny Levine from 3-5 p.m. and on Sunday Darlawan from 10 a.m-12.p.m., Alabama Blues Brothers from 12:30-3 p.m., Lisa Mills from 3-5 p.m. Also on Sunday from 9-10 a.m., Crossroads Church of Belforest will perform.

An antique tractor show and car show on Saturday and Sunday is an added component to the festival. From 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, cars can be registered for $25 or can pre-register for $20. Judged in 20 different classes from 11 a.m. -2:30 p.m. with a trophy presentation at 3 p.m. for first, second and third place and a 50/50 drawing at 3 p.m. with proceeds going to different local area charities. On Sunday, there will be a cruise-in from 10 a.m-3 p.m., Sharp said.

Also for the first time this year will be a Children’s Strawberry Village featuring games and activities like pony rides, train rides and a rocking chair contest featuring rocking chairs decorated by Loxley Elementary School students.

For accurate information, contact (251) 550-2003 or go to baldwincountystrawberryfestival.org.