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Event celebrates strawberries, history

The Iola Historical Society’s 28th annual Strawberry Fest, to be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 24.

The event will be held at the Iola Historical Society’s (IHS) Historical Village Complex on Depot Street in Iola.

The Antiques Appraisal Fair provides experts on a wide range of collectibles to ascertain the value of people’s attic and basement treasures.

Local crafters will be on hand to show off their handiwork.

Admission to the event is free, although goodwill donations are being accepted.

Food items include strawberry shortcake with ice cream or whipped topping for $4; barbecue sandwich, $3; hot dog, $2.50; and coffee, lemonade and water for $1.

All proceeds from the event go to benefit restoration of the historic Iola & Northern Railroad Depot.

A strawberry-costumed person will be greeting attendees on Main Street at the Depot Street intersection.

Area residents can bring items from their attics and basements for evaluation and pricing information to a wide-ranging group of experts at the Antiques Appraisal Fair. There will be a fee of $2 per item or $5 for three items, with all proceeds benefitting the Iola Historical Society.

Antiques and collectibles appraisers tentatively include: Joel Edler, for general antiques; Maggie Thompson, Brent Franfenhoff and possibly Tom Michael for books, comics and popular culture; Bob Lemke for sports collectibles; Ted Willems for sporting goods; Colin Bruce and Fred Borgmann for militaria and medals; Eric Bradley, Dave Demling, George Cuhaj and Joel Edler for miscellaneous collectibles, toys, and coins; and John Gunnell for automotive.

The raffle is highlighted by the grand prize, “Field of Daisies,” a summer quilt handcrafted by Caroline Adams, a local quilter. She is also quilting a train-themed quilt for the raffle at the Society’s 3rd Annual Taste of Norway/Lost Arts Fair, to be held Oct. 6.

The “Field of Daisies” quilt will be on display prior to the event at First National Bank and Premier Community Bank in Iola. Raffle tickets will also be available at the banks.

Other raffle prizes include $100 in cash donated by the IHS and scores of prizes from local businesses.

Crafters showing their artisan skills include Linda Carsten (rosemaling), Jerry Johnson, (rugweaving), Barb Johnson (basketweaving), among others.

Most of the crafters also have items for sale.

The Historic Iola Village buildings will be open for visitors except the Iola & Northern Railway Depot, which is undergoing restoration to its original design.

The other buildings include a replica of a schoolhouse, a 1930s log cabin, the original Helvetia Town Hall and the historical society’s museum.

The museum features recently acquired collections such as the Ray Towne collection of Native American artifacts found around Iola and throughout Waupaca County, and the Stromberg Violin collection. Stromberg was a former constable of Iola.

Other items of local historical significance are also on display. Docents will be at each building to talk about their historic significance and answer any questions.

For more information, go to the IHS website at www.iolahistoricalsociety.org or www.ischamber.org.

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