Named after the legendary Bronze Age city, Troy, Ohio, is the ideal vacation destination due to ample activities, friendly residents and beautiful natural surroundings. Founded in 1808, Troy quickly became a hub for new settlers to the area thanks to its proximity to the Great Miami River. The city began to grow at a fast rate through the 19th Century due to fertile farmland and a solid infrastructure. In more recent years, Troy has developed into a great community to live and to visit. The city has a population of over 25,000 people and it's the 61st largest city in Ohio. From well maintained parks and public areas to a plethora of fun things to do, Troy is a great destination for your next big Spring/Summer getaway.
If you're looking for fun things to do in Troy, look no further than the city’s extensive system of wonderful parks. You don't need to be an outdoor enthusiast to enjoy any one of the 32 in the city. Each is well maintained and presents you with opportunities for almost any outdoor activity you can imagine. If you're a fan of history, museums or anything in between, Troy will deliver. Between the cities historic buildings and landmarks, each trip to Troy is an interactive history lesson. In the mood for some great food and drink? The city is home to a diverse collection of restaurants, bars, cafes and diners, offering a broad spectrum of tasty meals and refreshments. There are many opportunities for shopping if that's your favorite activity. From outlets to boutique shops, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. The city also plays host to some popular events and celebrations, like the famous Troy Strawberry Festival.
Proudly celebrating their 40th year, the Troy Strawberry Festival has established itself as one of the top festivals in the region. Each year this massive festival attracts tens of thousands of people from all over the state and the region. This year they are expecting an mind boggling 200,000 attendees during the event! This is a family friendly festival that is centered around strawberry foods, fun activities and celebrating the community. The event was established as a way for nonprofits to generate revenue, and this year there will over 75 nonprofits serving food for their causes. Bring your family, support a great cause and make lasting memories at the Troy Strawberry Festival. ResortsandLodges.com got the chance to speak to Corie Schweser, Business Manager for the Troy Strawberry Festival, to talk about the event.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
CS: This is the 40th anniversary of the Troy Strawberry Festival. Over the course of the weekend we expect to see over 200,000 attendees. We see a wide range in the demographics of our attendees. All the great strawberry foods combined with the artisans and activities give our festival a broad appeal. Anyone and everyone interested should come join us for all the fun.
The festival was founded when local visionaries wanted a way for the nonprofits in Miami Country to raise funds and valuable resources. All of the food vendors at the festival are nonprofit based and this is the largest fundraiser of the year for many of them. We have about 75 nonprofits food vendors that will be raising money at the festival. We consider the event to be quite effective in raising funds. On average, after all expenses are individually covered, the total amount raised is over $375,000.
RAL: What makes the festival unique?
CS: This festival is unique because it takes place in gorgeous downtown Troy. You can see all the beautiful buildings, visit the local businesses, take a walk across Market St. Bridge and see everything our great city has to offer. You can spend hours exploring it all.
RAL: Take me through the activities attendees can expect at the festival.
CS: The Friday of the festival weekend, we have a community celebration with a concert, food, games and a local football game between alumni from the local high schools.
The first day of the festival brings the opening ceremonies, Special Olympics events, homegrown talent (like American Idol), all age pie eating contest and much more. Sunday is packed full of fun things to enjoy including a large free children's area, 10K race, bike tour, diaper derby and the list goes one. Each day there are two or three activities happening at the same time, giving you plenty of options. It’s a vibrant and lively atmosphere, with something for everyone!
RAL: What is the overall environment like?
CS: It's just fun! The Strawberry Mascots walking around really help set a festive mood for the event. Mixing festival activities and local attractions makes for a great experience. The Mayflower Art Center, located right in downtown, will be showcasing 40 years of archives from the festival. A special movie called,“40 Years in the Making” was created to commemorate the festival. They will be playing the movie during the festival for all who are interested. It really gives you a close up look at how the festival began and how it's evolved.
RAL: What can attendees expect to find for local lodging options?
CS: Troy has some great lodging options that are perfect for groups of almost any size. A few options to choose from include: Hampton Inn Troy, Holiday Inn Express and Suites and Residence Inn by Marriott.
RAL: What does the event mean to the community?
CS: Our festival has quite a large effect on the community. Due to its longevity and the amount of nonprofits that it helps, the Troy Strawberry Festival is widely considered to be a fixture in the Troy community. Many of the residents volunteer and roll out the red carpet for guests visiting the community. The influx of extra people helps to boost our economy across the board. This is a highly anticipated time of year in Troy and we welcome everyone to join the festivities.
For more information about the Troy Strawberry Festival please visit their website.