Teen Challenge Strawberry Festival set for Saturday

The berry pickers at Teen Challenge International plan to sell 1,800 quarts at Saturday's Strawberry Festival.

The event attracts about 800 people yearly to the grounds of Teen Challenge, a faith-based drug and alcohol treatment center.

It is located on County Road 621 about five miles north of Cape Girardeau.

Aging plants and dry conditions last year made for a meager crop, but Jack Smart, Teen Challenge executive director, said things have improved.

"We only have two acres in production, so we still don't have a huge crop, but the acres that we have are producing nicely," he said.

Admission is free, but the berries are $2 a quart. The money goes to support the Teen Challenge ministry.

The center's choir will perform periodically during the 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. event.

There will be hay rides, during which some Teen Challenge students give testimony about their experiences.

Lunch will be available for a small fee. There also will be face painting and balloons.

For more information, call 335-6508.