Windsor-Essex's return to summer normalcy is well underway with a LaSalle tradition.
The LaSalle Strawberry Festival is back to an in-person format after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19. The festival takes place at the Vollmer Recreation Complex, and it officially kicked off Thursday night with an evening session.
In addition to the midway, vendors, and of course, the strawberries; musical entertainment is planned for each night.
The fireworks display will take place Friday night near the pond at the Vollmer Complex. The first rockets will go up at 10 p.m. The best viewing areas are in the main lot at the pavilion and playground area, on the hill behind the pavilion, and in Parking Lot 1.
Free shuttles to the fireworks will operate starting at 7 p.m. from the LaSalle Civic Centre and the former Centennial Arena site. The last one will leave at 9:45 p.m.
Shuttle service is offered after the display too.
According to current Transit Windsor guidelines, all passengers must wear a mask when riding the shuttle.
Another tradition, the festival parade, is set for Saturday morning. It starts at 10 a.m. on Front Road near the Turkey Creek Bridge. From there, it will proceed down Front Street to Sacred Heart Drive. Front Road will be closed between Morton Drive and Victory Street from 9 a.m. to about noon.
LaSalle Transit route 25 will be redirected for the parade, and the bus stops on Matchette Road, Morton Drive, Front Road, and International Avenue will be closed until the parade is over.
The Town of LaSalle recommends using LaSalle Transit buses during the festival, which will be free of charge. One bus will run during all festival hours, with final pick-ups at the Vollmer Complex taking place right after the festival closes. There will also be service on Sunday.
The festival is open from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $5 for adults, and free for kids five and under, as well as those 65 and older. They can be purchased online or on-site. Weekend passes cost $12 a person.
Complete information on what's happening at the festival, along with purchasing carnival tickets, can be found on the Town's official website.
