It's a sweet tradition, and it returns this year for the first time since 2019. The 15th annual Strawberry Festival will be held on Sunday, June 5, from noon to 4 p.m. at the historic Haldeman Mansion, 230 Locust Grove Road, Bainbridge. The festivities will include food, music and more.

"We'll have a lot of strawberry desserts, including strawberry milkshakes as well as chocolate and vanilla milkshakes," said Elaine Jackson, corresponding secretary for the Haldeman Mansion Preservation Society. "We'll have strawberry shortcake and homemade strawberry lemonade. We get our strawberries from Masonic Village, so they are local, and they are delicious." Additional food items will include hot dogs, bratwurst, chicken corn soup and chili, along with chips, sodas and water.

A silent auction will feature items donated by local businesses and individuals, including artwork. Among the variety of children's activities that will be held during the festival are a coloring contest and an opportunity to guess how many candies are in a jar. Live music will be performed by NEV Bluegrass. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to sit on and enjoy the food and music.

Guided tours of the mansion will be offered by Tina Mark and Judy Kay Bard, who will provide information about the building's history. "These will be 'semi tours,' since the mansion is currently under renovation," Jackson noted. Built in 1811, Haldeman Mansion was the home of Samuel Haldeman, a professor and scientist.

The Strawberry Festival is a fundraiser for the restoration of the mansion, Jackson said. The preservation society has helped to repair walls and floors in one part of the building and is now focusing on replacing mantles above two fireplaces in the ballroom before renovating the mansion's museum room. The Haldeman Mansion Preservation Society's vision is to restore the mansion for new use as a community gathering place, local history and Native American museum and educational center.

Jackson invites everyone to come out for the festival. "You can enjoy some great food, see the beautiful Susquehanna River, relax and have a nice, fun, family outing," she stated. "It's a fun day to spend with friends."

Admission to the Strawberry Festival is free. There is a small charge for parking. For more information, call 717-426-3794.