Elgin's Bethlehem Lutheran to host 46th annual Strawberry Festival May 4

Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elgin will host its 46th annual Strawberry Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4.

Strawberry shortcake, strawberry sundaes, chocolate covered strawberries and strawberry jam will all be available to purchase.

A $6 ticket will get you a beverage and delicious strawberry shortcake!

The festival will feature many other exciting offerings as well.

Proceeds will benefit the Ecker Center, a mission trip to Mexico, Hamilton Wings, YMCA Elgin, PADS, Open Door Clinic, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church Youth Group's mission trip.

This year's festival will include plant sales featuring annuals and perennials and baked goods table featuring yummy treats available for purchase.

The Strawberry Patch Raffle will offer raffle baskets and original art pieces.

A new feature to this year's festival will be outside crafters offering beautiful handcrafted items for sale.

Crafts made by Bethlehem members will feature Bethlehem's famous embroidered dish towels as well as other unique handcrafted items that will be available for purchase.

A Treasure Boutique will be featuring vintage and costume jewelry, purses, scarves and figurines.

The Youth Closet is also new to the festival this year. It will be presented by the church's Youth Group. They will be offering a collection of their gently used clothing for purchase. Proceeds will go to help fund the youth's mission trip in June to West Virginia.

The Sunday school and Bethlehem Lutheran Church's Children's Development Center table will have fun activities for kids. Tours of the wonderful Children's Development Center will be offered.

Antique firetruck rides is new to the festival this year. Rides will be offered for $1.

The festival will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 340 Grand Blvd. in Elgin. For details, call (847) 741-8434 or visit blcelgin.org.