2024 Berry Dairy Days by Skagit Publishing

2024 Berry Dairy Days Festival Locations

2024 Berry Dairy Days Schedule

Friday, June 14 - Sunday, June 16

Schedule of events will also be available with maps at www.berrydairydays.com/berrydairydaysschedule.

Friday, June 14

12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Strawberry Shortcake Booth at the Burlington Visitors Information Center – 520 E. Fairhaven Ave.

5 p.m. – 11 p.m., Friday Night at Skagit River Park (1100 S. Skagit St.):

5 p.m. – 9 p.m., Strawberry Shortcake Booth

5 p.m. – Dusk, Food Vendors

6 p.m. – 9 p.m., FREE Family Fun Activity & Summer Reading Kick Off

7 p.m. – 10:15 p.m., Lazy Acres Band

10:15 p.m., New! City of Burlington Drone Show

Saturday, June 15

There will be a complimentary Skagit Transit shuttle, running 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., alternating every 20 minutes. Park your car for free at the Chuckanut Park & Ride at 999 N. Burlington Blvd. The shuttle will pick you up there and drop you off near the heart of the festival at N. Victoria St., near the intersection of 121 N. Spruce St.

9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 5K Fun Run in Historic Downtown Burlington

10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Festival in the Park & Vendor Fair520 E. Fairhaven Ave Railroad Park (live music, pie eating contest, free kids’ activities, food, craft, and commercial vendors)

10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Strawberry Shortcake booth at the Burlington Visitors Information Center

10:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Kiwanis Salmon BBQ booth in front of the Burlington Visitors Information Center

10:40 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. Beat the Berry Kids Dash on Historic Downtown Burlington

11 a.m. Grand Parade on East Fairhaven Avenue in Historic Downtown Burlington

11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Kiwanis Salmon BBQ at Maiben Park1011 Greenleaf Ave (Burlington Senior Center)

12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Free Kids’ Zone supported by Hub City Church and Draper Valley Farms on Cherry St. near Burlington Visitors Information Center

12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Live Entertainment Stage Shows, presented by Banner Bank at the Burlington Visitors Information Center Amphitheater (520 E. Fairhaven Ave):

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., Soul Siren

1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m., Community Stage: Grupo Folklorico MI TIERRA

2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Pie Eating Contest 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Soul Siren

1:30 p.m. Lawnmower Races across from Rotary Park on 821 S. Section Street (Pre-registration required)

Sunday, June 16

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Berry Cool Car Show, along East Fairhaven Avenue

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cornhole Tournament at Alpha Park on East Fairhaven in Historic Downtown Burlington

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Trainwreck Bar & Grill BDD Beer Garden at 427 E. Fairhaven Ave and Oak Street

10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Festival in the Park & Vendor Fair520 E. Fairhaven Ave Railroad Park (live music, pie eating contest, free Kids’ activities, food, craft, and commercial vendors)

10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Strawberry Shortcake booth at the Burlington Visitors Information Center

10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Free Kids’ Zone supported by Hub City Church and Draper Valley Farms on Cherry St. near Burlington Visitors Information Center

11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Smoke & Grill Competition, sanctioned by the Pacific NW BBQ Associations on East Fairhaven Historic Downtown Burlington

11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Live Entertainment Stage Shows, presented by Banner Bank at the Burlington Visitors Information Center Amphitheater (520 E. Fairhaven Ave):

11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Full Spectrum Live

1 p.m. - 2 p.m., Community Stage: Witches of Skagit Cosplay Dancers

2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., County Rose

U-pick: do you know how to choose the best fruit to fill your basket?

Are you looking for a family activity that combines local shopping and fresh air? Try berry picking! Besides getting some outdoor exercise, you can also stock up on delicious fresh berries at an affordable price. It’s a win-win! Check out these handy tips to pick the tastiest berries this summer:

• Blueberries. Only pick blueberries that are firm, dark blue and mold-free.

• Haskaps. Look for haskaps that are purplish-blue, clean and firm. If they look sunburnt, don’t put them in your basket.

• Cherries. Pick the plumpest, shiniest fruit you see. Avoid those with signs of mold.

• Strawberries. Select firm strawberries with a bright, even red color, regardless of size. Make sure they have all their leaves and haven’t started to shrivel.

• Raspberries. Make sure you pick only ripe, fragrant berries. Avoid those that don’t easily come off the bush. If you have to tug on them, they’re not ready.

• Blackberries. Look for full, fleshy berries that are deep black and shiny. If they’re ripe, they should feel soft to the touch.

Now, all you have to do is keep your eyes peeled on your next outing to delight your taste buds. Enjoy the fruits of your labor! It’s possible to pick a host of other berries, including sea buckthorn, currants, grapes and elderberries. Contact your local growers!

…starts Thursday! Open this Sunday only from 10 - 3 for the Berry Dairy Days Car Show. THU 6/13 - SUN 6/16

Welcome!

It’s time to get out and celebrate the history of agriculture here in Skagit County. Berry Dairy Days Festival Weekend starts Friday, June 14, and goes through Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Thanks to our title supporter, Peoples Bank, for returning to support and celebrating another year of agricultural growth. This FREE, family-friendly event will keep everyone entertained throughout the three-day festival. We have U-pick berries, farm stands, ice cream shops, farm tours, and a three-day festival in historic downtown Burlington.

We have continued our partnership with Skagit Transit to make parking and getting to the festival easier. There is a slight change in one of the locations. The new location will be at the Chuckanut Park and Ride, and a complimentary Skagit Transit shuttle will run between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., alternating in 20-minute intervals between the Chuckanut Park and Ride and the corner of N. Spruce St and E. Victoria Ave.

Strawberry Shortcake will be available in two locations, served by our Burlington-Edison High School cheerleaders. Look for them on E. Fairhaven Avenue in front of the Burlington Visitors Information Center beginning Friday through Sunday and during Skagit River Park festivities on Friday night beginning at 5 p.m. The City of Burlington Parks and Recreation Department hosts live music by Lazy Acres, food vendors, a FREE Kids’ Zone, and, new to the event, a drone show at Dusk.

The Saturday event starts with the Skagit Farmers Supply/Country Store and Swinomish Casino & Lodge Grand Parade down E. Fairhaven at 11 a.m. We want to congratulate Dave Hedlin of Hedlin’s Family Farm as our 2024 grand marshal; please come down and show your support.

At the Festival in the Park, enjoy live entertainment presented by Banner Bank all weekend. While enjoying the Entertainment Stage, check out the food and craft vendors and the FREE Kids’ Zone. We will have over 20 booths with kids’ games, sure to entertain our youngest guests for hours, hosted by Hub City Church and Draper Valley Farms.

For a special treat, visit the Kiwanis Fred Stump Memorial Salmon Barbecue on Saturday at the Senior Center on Greenleaf Avenue adjacent to Maiben Park. There will be an ordering and pick-up location at the festival, so you can stay in the area to enjoy that great Salmon BBQ meal.

The City of Burlington is excited for the second year of the Lawnmower Races, which will be held across from Rotary

Park on S. Skagit Street and begin at 1:30 p.m.

Do not miss the Sunday featured events along E. Fairhaven Avenue. The Berry Cool Car Show and the Pacific Northwest Barbeque Association sanctioned Berry Dairy Days Smoke & Grill Competition, plus The Upperleft Cornhole tournament will be back at it again. With all the great feedback, we have partnered with Trainwreck Bar and Grill for a second year to host the beer garden right in the middle of it all. Enjoy excellent meat, delicious beer, some cornhole, and classic cars on Father’s Day this year!

Berry Dairy Days Road Run is back! It will be just the 5K this year, as we have a new road run coordinator who took over a few months ago. Kim will also take on the kid’s fun run, “Beat the Berries” down the E. Fairhaven Ave parade route, with the smaller kids. So, get your running shoes on and stretch your legs!

We want to thank the City of Burlington for all the extra support over the Berry Dairy Days week. The additional support and workforce behind the scenes do not go unnoticed.

Finally, thank you to the Chamber staff and volunteers. It takes 75 volunteers and 115 volunteer shifts to keep Berry Dairy Days running smoothly each year.

Many people, from the supporters to the spectators and everyone in between, are thanked for this event’s success. You are the reason we successfully celebrate Berry Dairy Days year after year!

We are excited to have you join us for this year’s Berry Dairy Days Festival weekend and hope you have a wonderful time!

Steph Rees

President & CEO

Burlington Chamber of Commerce

Berry Dairy Days History

Berry Dairy Days began as the “Strawberry Festival” and even though the name changed a couple decades later, the festivities have been a consistent part of the community for the past 87 years! Berry Dairy Days continues to celebrate Burlington’s history, agriculture, farming, traditions, and community. The Chamber wishes to thank Peoples Bank for their continued support of the festival. As the 2024 title supporter, they support the entire three-day festival.

In 1937, the first annual “Berry Dairy Days” was launched when the Burlington volunteer firefighters organized a fundraiser to purchase new equipment. The community event served as a fundraiser and a way to celebrate strawberry farming in Burlington. To add excitement and draw a crowd, they made a giant strawberry shortcake that was pulled down Fairhaven Avenue in red wagons. Pieces of the cake were handed to the crowd that had gathered to catch a glimpse of the shortcake.

Over the years, the festival grew not only in size but in scope. In 1965, the event was handed over to the Burlington Chamber of Commerce to continue the tradition. Then President Roger Hulbush, along with other community members, decided to re-name the festival “Berry Dairy Days” to reflect the growing influence of the dairy business and

ongoing strawberry farming in Burlington.

Many community members have fond memories of Berry Dairy Days throughout the years. Duane Stowe is the owner of the second oldest business in Burlington, Stowe’s Shoes & Clothing. He remembers the local strawberry processing plant and the effect it had on the community. Roger Hulbush was the original owner of the oldest business in Burlington, Hulbush Funeral Home. Before he passed in January 2024, he recalled one of his many memories of the Berry Dairy Days Grand Parade: “It was about 1970 and local firefighters dressed up as clowns to help line up the parade participants and drove a convertible car in the parade.”

Berry Dairy Days is one of the oldest festivals in Skagit County but the Burlington Chamber of Commerce keeps it fresh and fun every year while maintaining traditional favorites like the Grand Parade, Festival in the Park, and endless amounts of strawberry shortcake all weekend long.

Join us for a weekend full of community events and strawberry shortcake! For a full schedule of events or more information please see the event schedule, visit www. BerryDairyDays.com or email info@burlington-chamber.com.

Yogurt bark with nuts and dried fruit

Do you need a tasty, energy-packed snack? These yogurt delights will hit the spot.

INGREDIENTS

Servings: 8

• 3/4 cup assorted nuts and seeds (almonds, pecans, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc.), coarsely chopped

• 2 cups vanilla yogurt

• 1/4 cup honey

• A pinch of salt

• 1/2 cup dried fruit of your choice (cranberries, apricots, etc.), coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Roast the nuts and seeds for several minutes in a dry skillet to bring out their flavors and crunchiness. Set aside.

2. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, honey and salt. Pour the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and

spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the fruit, nuts and seeds over the yogurt mixture. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least two hours.

3. Cut the bark with a knife or break it up with your fingers. Store in the refrigerator.

Creamy spaghetti with chanterelles

This creamy and cheesy pasta tastes divine. It’s sure to wow your guests!

INGREDIENTS

Servings: 4

• 14 ounces spaghetti

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 shallots, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 7 ounces chanterelles

• 1/2 cup vegetable broth

• 1 cup 35% whipping cream

• 1 cup fresh parmesan, grated

• 1/2 cup fresh basil

• Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Melt the butter and brown the

shallots in a large, deep skillet. Add the mushrooms and garlic. Continue cooking for about 4 minutes or until all the water is released from the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Pour in the vegetable stock and simmer until the liquid has almost completely evaporated. Add the cream, parmesan cheese, and a little more salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for a few minutes.

4. Add the spaghetti to the pan and sprinkle with a few coarsely torn basil leaves. Mix well and season further if desired.

5. Spoon the pasta into a large serving bowl and garnish it with fresh basil leaves.

Burlington Parks & Recreation presents Friday Night at Skagit River Park

Friday, June 14 at Skagit River Park (5 p.m. – 11 p.m.)

Bring the whole family down to kick off Berry Dairy Days at the Skagit River Park on Friday, June 14! You’ll be in for an evening of family-friendly live music and a brand-new Drone Show! It’s a perfect place to enjoy the warm summer air, fresh berries, and yummy dinner.

Visit the food trucks for dinner and the strawberry shortcake booth for a sweet treat starting at 5 p.m. The FREE Kid and Teen Zones will be open from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. At 7 p.m., The Lazy Acres Band — a high energy Rock n’ Roll band out of Sedro-Woolley —takes the stage. Visit their Facebook page to learn more: www.facebook.com/LazyAcresBand/

Stick around until 10:15 p.m. and get ready for a brand-new Berry Dairy Days themed lighted Drone Show that features 200 lighted drones in all colors. The Skylights Drone Company will wrap up the evening’s entertainment by launching the drones from the WEST side of the park with the best viewing from the Northeast (by the stage/kid zone/food vendors).

Don’t forget your low-backed chairs and blankets! Enter the park at 1100 S. Skagit Street, S. Section Street or off Whitmarsh Road. Free parking and admission.

Event Schedule

5 p.m.-Dusk Food Vendors

5 p.m.-9 p.m. The Strawberry Shortcake Booth

6 p.m.–9 p.m. FREE Family Fun Activity & Summer Reading Kick Off area with inflatables and activities provided by the Burlington Public Library, Burlington Parks and Recreation Staff, and the Burlington Health Community Coalition.

7 p.m.–10:15 p.m. Live music – Lazy Acres Band 10:15 p.m. Drone Show presented by the City of Burlington and sponsored by Skagit Coding and Robotics Club and KAPS/KBRC

Berry Dairy Days Strawberry Shortcake booth

Stock photo of a drone light show

Berry Dairy Days Presented by Peoples Bank

Sponsor Biography

Peoples Bank has served the community for over 100 years and operates 23 locations throughout Washington State. Their unwavering commitment to their employees, customers, and local communities is what makes them a true community bank and distinguishes them from other banks in the area. The Bank provides generous support to local organizations through giving and community service campaigns, and its employee benefits programs support professional growth and personal well-being. “We are committed to recruiting locally and creating jobs and long-term career opportunities for the rural, small town, and urban communities where we live and work. Our stable and ongoing growth is predicated on the same values that we started with: be responsible, dedicated to our customers, and serve our local communities beyond the business of banking. Over the years we have learned that delivering on our promise, ‘A Higher Level of Service,’ always starts and ends with people. We are a proud member of the local communities in which we operate, and we are honored to serve your banking needs.”

Visit www.peoplesbank-wa.com for more information.

O5K Fun Run & Beat the Berry Dash

n Saturday, June 15, there will be two opportunities to get out and run; the 5K Fun Run & Beat the Berry Dash! The races will begin in front of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center at 520 E. Fairhaven Ave.

Berry Dairy Days is excited for the return of the 5K Fun Run! The course will be a loop starting at the intersection of Spruce St. and Fairhaven Ave. Runners will head east on Fairhaven, then south on Gardner to Rio Vista to run along the dike. The runners will then loop around to return to the start/finish line on Fairhaven Ave just in time for the Grand Parade. The cost to participate is $15.00. Same-day check-in begins at 8 a.m.

Let off some steam before the parade and join the Beat the Berry Dash! This is a free event for kids aged six to 12. Racers will meet at 10:30 a.m. The race for kids aged six and under will begin at 10:40 a.m., and the race for kids aged seven-12 will begin immediately after. Both age groups will dash on the parade street to a crowd cheering them on as they show off their running skills and Beat the Berries mascots!

Please pre-register for both events by June 13 at 11:59pm at www. berrydairydays.com/roadruns.

Berry Dairy Days Beat the Berry Dash

Burlington Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center

“Beat The Berry” Dash

Festival in the Park

The Festival in the Park is located in Historic Downtown Burlington around the beautiful Burlington Visitors Information Center, which was built in 2012 as a replica of Burlington’s original railroad station from the early 1900s. The festivities will take place Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

After the 5K Fun Run, Beat the Berry Kids Dash, and Grand Parade on Saturday, wander down East Fairhaven Avenue between Spruce and Pine streets for great family fun, local food, live music, craft and commercial vendors.

• Live music presented by Banner Bank from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Free Kids’ Zone hosted by Hub City Church and Draper Valley Farms with over 20 booths with games and prizes

• The Strawberry Shortcake Booth in front of the Information Center!

• The Lawnmower Races, across from Rotary Park

Looking for the Kiwanis Salmon BBQ? There will be a Kiwanis booth set up in front of the Burlington Visitors Information Center on Saturday, June 15, 2024, between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., selling some to-go meals and tickets to the Fred Stump Memorial Salmon Barbeque just down the road at Maiben Park, 1011 Greenleaf Ave.

On Sunday, the family fun, local food, live music, craft and commercial vendors continues!

• Live music presented by Banner Bank from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Free Kids’ Zone hosted by Hub City Church and Draper Valley Farms with over 20 booths with games and prizes

• The Strawberry Shortcake Booth in front of the Burlington Visitors Information Center

• The 2nd annual Cornhole Tournament, which will run in partnership with Upper Left Cornhole.

Prizes and cash winnings will be given to the top teams! For more information and to register visit www.berrydairydays.com/ cornhole-tournament

• The Smoke & Grill Competition is back and newly sanctioned by the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association (PNWBA)

• Berry Cool Car Show & the Trainwreck Bar & Grill Beer Garden on E. Fairhaven Ave

stock photo of strawberry shortcake

75th Annual Fred Stump Memorial Salmon Barbeque

The Fred Stump Memorial Salmon Barbeque is one of the Burlington Edison Kiwanis Club’s biggest annual fundraisers. The community comes out to enjoy a delicious salmon meal and the money raised goes to support the Kiwanis Club of Burlington-Edison’s charitable contributions, including between $15,000 to $20,000 worth of scholarships to the Burlington-Edison High School, funding the Key Club (the high school chapter of Kiwanis), and various local senior and children’s charities and programs.

About 1,100 pounds of salmon will be served during this event. The meal includes charbroiled salmon with secret sauce, baked potato with sour cream and butter on the side, coleslaw, dinner roll, beverage, and dessert. According to longtime Burlington resident Roger Hulbush, the secret sauce was invented in 1957 by his dad Walter. His dad made the sauce for years then passed duties on to Roger. Roger eventually asked his trusted cleaning lady to take over the sauce making only to discover that she left out a key ingredient for years.

The cost of the meal is $22 (no children’s meals).

This year there will be three ways to enjoy the wonderful salmon barbeque fundraiser:

The Maiben Park barbeque at 1011 Greenleaf Ave. will be held on Saturday, June 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Kiwanis Club built the Maiben Park barbeque pit in the mid-1960s, especially for this event.

There will also be a Kiwanis booth set up in front of the Burlington Visitors Information Center to sell both to-go meals and tickets for the Maiben Park barbeque. The booth will be open between 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

To-go meals will be available for business owners who want to feed their employees and support the cause; orders are delivered to businesses on Saturday. Most years more than 150 meals are ordered! To purchase to-go meals please call Les Tokarchuk at 360-391-3721; orders will be taken up until 5 p.m. on Friday, June 14.

Event History

The Burlington-Edison Kiwanis Club was founded on December 13, 1948 by Steve Johns; the club’s first president was Clarence Judy. The Kiwanis mission is to serve the children of the world one child, one family, and one community at a time. The local chapter has always taken their mission seriously.

The Salmon Barbeque was started by Kiwanis Club members in 1949 to raise money for the construction of a local community center.

Raised in the Puyallup Valley, Fred Stump and his wife Betty moved to Burlington in the early 1960s for a partnership in the Skagit Animal Clinic. Fred joined Kiwanis at that time and became an enthusiastic promoter and participant of the Salmon Barbeque; many years he would sell over 200 tickets. His widow, Betty Stump, once said, “Fred had a way with people…you didn’t say no to Fred.” The fundraiser was renamed the Fred Stump Memorial Salmon Barbeque after he passed away in May, 1992. Betty lived in Burlington until her death in July, 2023.

Bring the whole family out to enjoy live music, dancing, and a pie-eating contest on the Banner Bank live entertainment stage at the Burlington Visitors Information Center Amphitheater and at the nearby Community Stage, 520 E. Fairhaven Ave! Events will run both Saturday and Sunday during the festival.

Banner Bank Entertainment Stage Sponsor Biography:

Saturday, 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Soul Siren, a high energy entertainment playing soul, funk, ‘80s, ‘90s, and today’s top dance hits

1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. Community Stage: Grupo Folklorico MI TIERRA, a Mexican folk-dance group

2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Pie Eating Contest

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Soul Siren

Sunday, 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Full Spectrum Live, a ‘70s & ‘80s rock band featuring a wide variety of recognizable tunes

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Community Stage: Witches of Skagit Cosplay Dancers, cosplay line dance

2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. County Rose, a high-energy band featuring country and Americana music

Banner Bank was founded more than 130 years ago on core values that will never go out of style: listen, learn, and help people and businesses reach their goals. Their team of experts is focused completely on their customers, providing tailored solutions, expert guidance, and local decision-making to help their clients succeed. With more than $15 billion in assets and locations in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California, the Banner team understands its role in the economic ecosystem and takes that responsibility seriously. In addition to being a source of capital for personal banking clients and businesses of all sizes, they place a high importance on contributing to the communities in which they serve. Their 2023 Fall Fund Drive brought in more than $32,253 in funds and collected 10,107 non-perishable food items for local communities and helped support more than 110 community organizations throughout its four-state region.

Entertainment Stage

Berry Dairy Days Grand Parade

Promoting community spirit and participation, the 87th annual Berry Dairy Days Grand Parade is sponsored by Skagit Farmers Supply/Country Store and Swinomish Casino & Lodge. Kicking off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, this event is one of the weekend’s many highlights. Following tradition, the 2024 Grand Parade will run east down Fairhaven Avenue, between Walnut and Skagit streets in downtown Burlington. After the parade, enjoy the Festival in the Park located around the Burlington Visitors Information Center off of E. Fairhaven Avenue.

Thousands of spectators come out to support the community and see 70 or more floats/performances. You are likely to see the famous steam tractor owned by Oscar Lagerlund, marching bands, drill and dance teams, 4-H clubs, antique John Deere tractors, local gymnasts and musicians; along with representatives from many local businesses, organizations, and civic groups.

Locally selected judges will award the first, second, and third place parade winners. Winners will be announced on the Berry Dairy Days Facebook page on Monday, June 17th and published on the website the following week.

2024 Grand Marshal: Dave Hedlin of Hedlin Farms

Dave Hedlin is the owner of Hedlin Farms, which has been farming produce for three - going on four and five – generations, since 1906. Since 1974, Dave and his wife, Serena Campbell, have dedicated themselves to farming this land, which has flourished under their guidance. Currently, just under 50% of the operation is certified organic and ROC. The farm, nestled up against the town of La Conner, is just under 500 acres of broadly diversified crops, supplying fruits and vegetables to the family farm stand and a range of grocery stores, restaurants, and food charities. In addition to fresh market vegetables, they grow vegetable seed and small grains including cereal rye, barley, and wheat for feed, malting, and local flour mills.

Dave and Serena are currently planning for family and farm succession. “We are actively working on the transition from G3 to G4 – we even have a few members of G5 getting started. This will be the first year that my nephew Kai and his wife Jules will own and operate the fresh market stand called Hedlin’s Family Farm, located at the entrance to La Conner. Our son, Arne, will become a full partner in the next generation alongside daughter, Lauren, who will also handle

day-to-day operations,” he said.

Dave was stunned and honored when he was asked to be the 2024 grand marshal, saying “The neat thing about Berry Dairy Days is that it celebrates the history of agriculture and production and the culture of working together as a community. Skagit valley is a pretty remarkable place. It’s always nice to be part of a community celebration and I am looking forward to it.”

Sponsor Biographies

Swinomish Casino & Lodge is operated by the Swinomish Tribe, a community of Coast Salish peoples. They are descendants of groups and bands originating in the Skagit and Samish River valleys, the surrounding coastal areas and islandsincluding Fidalgo, Camano, Whidbey and the San Juan Islands. The Swinomish Casino & Lodge offers a full casino experience including slots, table games, sportsbook, and EZ Keno Kiosk plus a luxurious hotel and event rooms to expand your stay or host a private event.

Skagit Farmers Supply/Country Store is a diversified agricultural cooperative with a mission to support agriculture. The store strives to provide quality goods and services to their many customers across their four business units: Agronomy, Energy, Retail Country Store, and the AFCO Wholesale & Milling department. With good management and continuity on the board of directors, the business has been able to stay true to their cooperative values and committed to the communities they do business in.

For more information about the parade please call the Burlington Chamber of Commerce at 360-757-0994.

Avoid the rush and sign your float up early! Download your application at: www.BerryDairyDays.com

Lawnmower Races

The Burlington Parks and Recreation Department is bringing back the Lawnmower Races again in 2024! There’s FREE admission to the races and they will take place on Saturday, June 15 starting with time trials at 1:30 p.m. A track has been built in the field across the street from Rotary Park on 821 S. Section St. Ask anyone who has lived here a while and they’ll have a tale or two to share about the days of old and the excitement over these races. Grab some food and drinks from Big Scoop and Dane Good Coffee, find a seat and don’t forget to have the kids run in the Candy Dash in between the Time Trials!

Race day will follow a rolling schedule at 1:30 p.m., in this order:

• Time Trials

• The “Dairy Dash” 6 lap sprint

• Heat Races

• The Mains

Lawnmower racing is a type of motorsport where the participants use racemodified lawnmowers. People from across the state build their mowers and race on our dirt track. Blades are removed from the mowers for safety and the engines are built to hit speeds of…well, let’s just say more than your average mower.

Pre-registration is required! Visit the www.berrydairydays.com/event for a link to the registration page and the rules and regulations.

Stock photo of a racing lawnmower

Berry Cool Car Show

Join us for the 2024 Berry Cool Car Show! We’ve got oldies tunes and a wide range of beautiful classics to muscle cars and everything in between. The Trainwreck Bar & Grill

Beer Garden on 427 E Fairhaven Ave. is back this year, coinciding with the show!

The 26th annual Berry Cool Car Show will be held on Father’s Day:

Sunday, June 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along E. Fairhaven Avenue. It’s the perfect Father’s Day outing for car enthusiast dads. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and costs $20. On average, the show has 150 cars on display. Dash plaques are provided to the first 200 cars.

The event is free to spectators but is organized and financially supported by the NCSRA. Raffle tickets purchased at the show along with prizes donated by local sponsors also contribute to the show’s success. The money raised helps to pay tuition and books at the Skagit Valley College’s Auto Technology Program (two-year program).

Local merchants on E. Fairhaven Avenue sponsor the show, staying open especially for the event and donating funding for the trophies. Thank you to long-time supporter Stowe’s Shoes & Clothing who opens their store during the show.

Berry Dairy Days Berry Cool Car Show

First and second place trophies will be awarded to each class, voted on by a team of judges handpicked the day of the show. Show classes are 31 and older, ‘32-‘39, ‘40-‘48, ‘49-‘59, ‘60s, ‘70s and newer, and 1985 and older motorcycles. Special categories include, Best Truck, Best Paint, Best Survivor, Best Low Rider, and the big prize: Kahuna Best in Show. Thank you to all of our award sponsors!

Reed Harlow will return for his 9th year organizing the car show. Harlow is

a decades-long North Cascade Street Rod Association (NCSRA) member and past president. Born in Mount Vernon and raised in Anacortes, Reed has lived in Skagit County his whole life; he now lives in Burlington. Harlow retired from Cascade Natural Gas in October 2014 after 41 years of service. He has been attending the Berry Dairy Days Car Show since its opening year and is friends with both Garnor Bensen and Les Tokarchuk who were founders of the original car shows.

Don’t forget to visit the BurlingtonEdison High School cheerleaders strawberry shortcake booth between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

The Berry Dairy Days Smoke & Grill Competition

Newly Sanctioned by the Paciﬁc Northwest BBQ Association

Sunday, June 16, at the Burlington Visitors Information Center, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the Berry Dairy Days Smoke & Grill Competition, newly sanctioned by the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association!

This Father’s Day, Sunday June 16, 2024, you won’t want to miss the berry best BBQ competition in Skagit County! Come down to E. Fairhaven Avenue in Historic Downtown Burlington to see, taste, and experience the heat of competition!

Get ready for a sizzling showdown! Smoke & Grill competitors from all over the Pacific Northwest will go head-to-head in the following four categories for the ultimate recognition and a prize pool of $ 4,000: pork, brisket, chicken, and pork ribs! The Pacific Northwest BBQ Association will provide the judging for the Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, and 1st through 8th places.

It’s not just about the BBQ! Enjoy live music and entertainment on the stage during this fun-filled, family-friendly event.

Visit www.berrydairydays.com/bddsmokeandgrillcompetition for more information.

Sponsor Biography:

Dwayne Lane’s Skagit Subaru is your local hometown Subaru partner. More than a dealer, Dwayne Lane’s Skagit Subaru is proud to invest in our community through time, talent and community support of programs such as Berry Dairy Days BBQ competition. You’ll see our team members at many events and also hosting special programs at the dealership.

Our slogan is “We’ll Take Care of You!”, and it’s more than a motto, it’s our standard for doing business. Our employees value our customers, and you’ll receive superior customer service with every visit.

Our dedicated team of Subaru sales professionals will help you find a new Subaru to fit your lifestyle, and our parts and service department will be there to keep your Subaru on the road for years to come.

Dwayne Lane’s Skagit Subaru is part of Dwayne Lane’s Auto Family, with five locations in Snohomish and Skagit counties, representing 8 new car brands, hundreds of used vehicles, and awardwinning parts and service departments. The group is celebrating 70 years of taking care of customers!

Smoke & Grill Competition Event Schedule:

10:55:00 a.m. to 11:04:59 a.m. Pork

11:55:00 a.m. to 12:04:59 p.m.Brisket

12:55:00 p.m. to 1:04:59 p.m.Chicken

1:55:00 p.m. to 2:04:59 p.m.Pork Ribs

Live Music on the Banner Bank Stage:

11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.Full Spectrum Live

1 p.m. - 2 p.m.Community Stage: Witches of Skagit Cosplay Dancers

2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ....... County Rose

Hungry spectators? Follow us on social media at Berry Dairy Days for ways to learn about tasting opportunities!

Stock photos of a grilling meat

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