Inside New Gloucester: June 16

Strawberry Moon Celebration

Pick your own strawberries and grab a bite to eat during a three-day community festival from 4 to 7 p.m. June 22-24.

The Strawberry Moon Celebration at the Pineland Farms Produce Division of Gillespie Farms, 752 Mayall Road, features food trucks, dessert, a cash bar, “kiddy” goat corner and live music, as well as a Pineland Market strawberry shortcake station.

The fee is $5 per person. Children under 2 are free. Put your ticket price toward your pick-your-own-strawberry purchase at the checkout.

Go to “All Farm Passes and Activites” at shop.pinelandfarms.org/collections to select your choice of evening dates. For more details, contact the Produce Division at 657-2877 or producestaff@pinelandfarms.org.

And more strawberries …

Fresh local berries, homemade biscuits, live music, baked goods and a raffle will comprise the elements for the 47th annual Strawberry Festival. This staple of New Gloucester happenings will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. June 29, at the First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road.

The Hyssongs, Richard, left, Susan and Dell ,will perform at the New Gloucester Bible Church on Sunday, June 18. Contrivuted / The Hyssongs

Hyssongs to perform

Dell, Susan and Richard Hyssong have been singing together as a family for more than 24 years. The trio will be performing at the New Gloucester Bible Church, 218 Lewiston Road, 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 18. Meet the Hyssongs before the concert at a 5 p.m. community potluck Guests are encouraged to bring a food dish to share.

The Hyssongs have received many accolades for their quality, inspirational Southern Gospel sound. Their energetic ministry combines family vocal harmony, humor and brass instruments (trumpet and trombone). They have performed at more than 225 events annually throughout the United States and Canada.

Shaker Village full of events

Now open for the 2023 season, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village is abuzz with guided tours, group visits, special events, traditional craft workshops and historic sites unlatched for exploration. The Shaker Museum calendar runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday during the span of Memorial Day weekend through Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 9.

The visitors’ center has a free self-guided exhibit, the gardens and grounds are walkable, and their stores are open for in-person shopping. A long-standing tradition that carries on today is the Shaker Store, continuously run by the Shakers. Traditionally carrying Shaker-made fancy goods to entice local resort visitors, like Shaker cloaks, horsehair brushes, pincushions, oval carriers, poplar boxes and costumed dolls, the Shaker Store now carries modern Shaker-made items such as 100% wool yarn from the farm, handmade soap, herbal infused oils and vinegars, dried wreaths, wool knit goods, soy candles and honey. The store also sells handmade items by local crafters.

Juneteenth closure

All town facilities will be closed Monday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Juneteenth recognizes the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas officially learned they’d been freed two years earlier by the Emancipation Proclamation.