LOXLEY, Ala. — With so many arts and crafts vendors, rides, the car show, delicious fair food, and of course, sweet, sweet strawberries, it was hard figuring out just what to do first at the Baldwin County Strawberry Festival last weekend.

But, as always, strawberries took center stage.

“It was a wonderful weekend,” said Kathy Fleet, the executive director of the Association for Retarded Citizens of Baldwin County in a telephone interview after the festival. “Fortunately, the rain held off most of the weekend.”

Fleet says she spent the Friday before the festival preparing strawberries for shortcake.

“I was up to my elbows in strawberries,” Fleet said.

Fleet added that she spent most of Saturday and Sunday operating a small Kubota tractor delivering flats of strawberries to various spots on the festival grounds.

The festival raised much-needed funds for the ARC of Baldwin County and the Loxley Elementary School.

The event was a lot of fun for volunteers and festival-goers alike.

“I’ve already told them to sign me up for next year,” said Janis Walker of Loxley as she dished strawberries over cake in the shortcake booth Saturday afternoon.

“My niece is the principal of Loxley Elementary and I always help out,” said Walker. “This is nothing but fun, and you see so many different people.”

Margaret and Ronnie Pettis of Silverhill enjoyed watching the fair through the eyes of their grandson, Brody Lowe of Canton, Ga. It became apparent that different aspects of the festival appealed to different generations.

“We like the displays, the booth and of course, all the food,” said Margaret Pettis.

“Don’t forget the games,” piped up Brody from around a mouthful of fried chicken.

Members of the Loxley Volunteer Fire Department played with (safely contained) fire to grill up sausage, hamburgers and other goodies for the crowd.

Firefighter Rob Lindell and Lt. Kenny Ebarb grilled the goodies while probationary firefighter Thomas Jelinck passed the cooked food to the assembled firefighters in the booth. Being a vocal bunch, the firefighters in the booth kept a raucous running commentary up on what their colleagues were doing.

“This is always fun for all of us, and a good fundraiser,” said Ebarb.

Ruth Fore, a member of the board of the ARC of Baldwin County, was pleased with the turnout and the response of the crowds.

“If all goes well, we will be able to build a bigger laundry,” Fore said, “Right now we do for the Kaiser and Meyer condos, and the work makes our clients proud of themselves. It also puts a little money in their pockets. If we had more space, bigger equipment, we could do more.”

Eric Mackey, 13, of Loxley was working at his first festival.

“It’s fun,” Mackey said.

Working the festival was a three-generation affair for the Mackey clan. Joining Eric behind the strawberry flats was his mom, Melinda Mackey, and his grandmother, Mary Sue Hughes.

“I’m very pleased with the way the festival is going,” said Laurie Gruenloh, chairman of this year’s festival.

Rushing to check on how first the strawberry flat booth and then the t-shirt sales were doing, Gruenloh kept a running commentary going.

“I’m very pleased with the attendance,” Gruenloh said, adding that the festival’s growth into a regional “must-see” owes to a number of factors.

“From the car show, to the arts and crafts to the live entertainment, we have been growing,” Gruenloh said, adding that performer Dan Eubanks has opened for a number of big-name Nashville acts.

But, the setting that makes the festival popular with locals and tourists alike.

“The walking trail is a big part of our success,” Gruenloh said, referring to the two-lane macadam walking path that runs through the Loxley Civic Center grounds. “It’s easy for people with strollers or people with canes to navigate, so whole families come out to spend the day.”

Contacted by telephone the day after the festival, Gruenloh did not have estimates on how much Loxley Elementary and the ARC of Baldwin County would receive. That will come in a few months after all the festival bills are paid. But, Gruenloh said she was “very pleased and overwhelmed” by this year’s crowds.

“This has just turned into such a family event,” Gruenloh said,adding she was pleased to see more and more festival-goers using the BART buses from outlying parking lots.

“I feel that both organizations are very deserving,” Gruenloh said, “and I feel like I’m working with family. I know we are raising money for good and worthy causes. I am thankful that people plan to come each year.”

However, Gruenloh revealed that his would be her last Strawberry Festival after 11 years helping to organize the annual event.

“It’s time for a change,” said Gruenloh. “I really encourage other people to get involved. There are people in this county who have remarkable talents, but they feel they have to be asked (to join).”

Gruenloh added that anyone interested in working for the 2009 edition of the festival should call 550-2003 and leave a message.

Still, it’s hard for Gruenloh to leave the festival completely behind.

“Maybe next year, I’ll work as a volunteer,” Gruenloh said.

With cars that ranged from a sleek ‘41 Willys on to a built for speed ‘67 Chevy, to classics with with V-8 and “Slant-6” engines, there was plenty for old-timers to reminisce about and little ones to go “oooh” over at this years classic car show.

“I just come to the festival and check out the old cars,” said Forrest Becco of Fairhope who was attending the festival with his son, Andrew.

For Tony Smith of Loxley, seeing the restored classics was an inspiration.

“I have a 1938 Chevy in my barn,” said Smith. “Normally, I bring an ‘87 ‘Vette to the show, but it looked like rain. I have to do something with that car.”

Donald “Tommy” Boone was a hit with his beautifully restored copper-colored 1955 Chevy Bel-Aire.

“I’ve had the car for four years, the Loxley resident said. “I’ve wanted one for 48 years.”

Boone added that while he was able to drive the Chevy home after buying it, he “took it completely apart” to restore the vehicle.

“It took about three and a half years and about $100,000 to get it in this shape,” Boone said.

Now that all the hard work is done, Boone says he likes to drive the car around.

“I do like to drive it around,” Boone said. “You will see me around here.”