Strawberry Fest Moves To Vollmer

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The 2019 LaSalle Strawberry Festival will be held at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex.

The decision was made at a special meeting of Council held Thursday evening.

Council heard that the high water level of the Detroit River and the ground saturation from recent rains has affected Gil Maure Park and the parking lots, boat launch, properties along Front Road and areas at the end of Laurier Drive.

The record high lake levels in the area in combination with east winds cause the catch-basins to overflow and water to pool in the parking lots. The overland flooding and puddling of water in the parking lots and in the parkland will negatively affect the set-up and operation of the Strawberry Festival at Gil Maure Park.

“We have received solid information from the emergency planning side, and we can expect high water levels to continue into July. If there is a flooding event that weekend, the high water levels are not likely to improve over the duration of the festival,” said LaSalle Fire Chief Dave Sutton.

The event will be hosted utilizing the parking lot south of the building (closest to the Gary Parent Rink), as well as the soccer parking lot across the street. Mike Raymond Drive will be closed during the set-up, operation and take-down of the festival.

“Administration has met and devised a plan and will continue to evaluate criteria for safety and logistics,” said Julie Columbus, Director of Culture and Recreation. “Final details are being explored and staff will ensure all logistical components will be coordinated appropriately.”

Administration is also working on the logistics of the move including the electrical options, water for vendors, portable toilet locations, off-site parking, shuttles and LaSalle Transit routes, fencing, entry gates, signage, location of fireworks and emergency plans.

The festival will return to Gil Maure park next year.