2012 Cajun Zydeco Festival Performers

Strawberry Park is excited to announce many of the performers for our 16th Annual Cajun/Zydeco Festival in Preston CT on June 7-10, 2012. While most of the artists have been confirmed, we are working on finalizing one more Zydeco headliner...and are looking for your input (see the poll). We are extemely excited about the bands already booked for 2012, as we have focused on the Cajun & Zydeco dance bands that our dancers request most. Currently, the 2012 performers will include...

Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie
Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys
Horace Trahan & The Ossun Express
The Pine Leaf Boys
Ryan Brunet & The Malfecteurs
Jesse Lege & Bayou Brew
Li'l Anne & Hot Cayenne
C'est Bon

In seeking one more Zydeco band from outside the Northeast, we have received numerous, numerous suggestions...and while there are many wonderfully worthy bands to consider, we have tried to narrow our survey down to a reasonable number of options. Once again, please note that the results of the poll are non-binding, but we are interested in your opinion. We are considering some bands who have appeared at Strawberry Park in the past, as well as some new faces. In addition, there are some Zydeco bands who are simply unavailable for 2012, but we look forward to their return in 2013 (such as Brian Jack). Therefore, we have offered the following options for the poll, with voting permitted until Sunday, November 20 at midnight.

Keith Frank (it has been a few years since Keith was here)
Jo Jo Reed (performed very well here in 2011)
Li'l Wayne & Same Ole 2 Step (also went over well in 2011)
Andre Thierry (currently located way out in California)
Lisa Haley (also would be coming in from the left coast)

Country Music Weekend 2011

Thanks to all the performers, including Double Play, The Duncan Walters Band, Midnight Rodeo, Gary Leslie & Friends, Hard Luck Aces and The Coyote River Band, as well as dance instructor Steve Falk. Congrats to Bethany and Smitty, our karaoke King & Queen, and thanks to the lobsterfest crew for serving a large group in such a speedy manner. Hope everyone enjoyed the dinner!

Irene Photos

Happy Birth Day to Trey

A warm welcome to the 3rd son of Dave and Jen, as Trey Robert Nowakowski was born at 9:55am on June 11, weighing in at the 8 lb 5 oz class. Will post a few more photos later, and keep in mind that in some of these photos, the baby may not be fully clothed (and appears to be dancing to Zydeco music). The orange kid is one of the many devices used by the nurses to move the delivery along (thanks to Dr. Belcher and Heidi, Angela, Kara, the 2nd shift nurse from Canada whose name escapes me, and all the others at Backus Hospital for their hard work).

Family Fun Fest 2011 Photos

Just a few photos from our FunFest Weekend. As I forgot my camera, most of the photos here will feature the same 2 little kids, as I am thankful for someone else taking some pictures. Thanks to Clown City for the face painters and balloonists, Ollie's Rock Wall and the Party People for the inflatables. Also, thanks to Animal Experience for the Sunday show.

Joey Dee & The Oldies Car Show

Thanks to the Outriggers, Joey Dee & The Starliters and those who brought their cars out for the classic car show, including Jim S from the maintenance staff. Congrats to our Karaoke winners, with Gerry's "My Way" edging out Tricia's "Landslide" and Shawn's "Stand By Me".

Pierce Road Closed 5/15 Due to Utility Pole Down

Pierce Rd (the road leading to the campground) is closed due to an accident involving a vehicle hitting a utility pole. The power flickered around 3AM, and will be off for about an hour once the replacement pole arrives this morning (may need the megaphone at Bingo). Campers can access the Park either by driving through the fields (from the volleyball courts to the front gate), or may use the back gate entrance/exit. If using the back gate, it brings you out onto RT 165 about 1/2 mile east of Pierce Rd (and is reached by driving past the dumpster area). If arriving, the back gate is NOT the first driveway after Pierce Rd (that is a private residence). The utility crews hope to have the area cleared by noon.

Easter Egg & Candy Hunt Photos

Mother Nature cooperated on Sunday morning with warm temperatures and clear (but foggy) skies. The grass was quite wet with dew, but unlike 2010, there was not a temporary lake in the field from the record floods of last March. Our biggest Bingo crowd of the season was on Friday night, with good numbers on Sat & Sun as well. Check out our Facebook special, with "May Day Weekend" of April 29-May FREE when reserving Mother's Day Weekend as well.