Troy Strawberry Festival named Best Summer Festival and Best Food Festival in Ohio

And now the whole state is about to know.

The Troy Strawberry Festival has been named the Best Summer Festival in Ohio and the Best Food and Drink Festival in Ohio, according to the results of the annual Ohio Magazine Best of Ohio Readers’ Ballot.

Festival organizers announced the recognition on its Facebook page.

>> PHOTOS: Troy Strawberry Festival 2018

The magazine asked its readers and website visitors to vote for their local favorites, which will be featured in their January issue.

Earlier this year, Troy was named one of five “Best Hometowns” in Ohio by the magazine.

>> 4 reasons to visit Troy

Other honorees included Cambridge, Findlay, Medina and New Albany. They were honored in the magazine’s 13th annual Best Hometowns issue.

>> Troy named one of Ohio’s best hometowns

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The first Troy Strawberry Festival, held in 1977, was organized to give clubs and organizations a way to make money. It was an immediate success despite the marble-sized berries that year.

>> Our favorite treats at the Troy Strawberry Festival

Managers from local Friendly Ice Cream shops created a 100-foot long strawberry sundae inside Troy Stadium that year, and visitors purchased shortcakes, beverages and pints of “Troy’s finest” berries.

Many of the ideas still used today — the arts and crafts booths and the concession stands — have been part of the berry festival since those early years.

The festival supports local non-profits, schools and churches and their various programs.

The festival is famous for its berry treats and the strawberry donuts that support Troy schools music programs. There is always a line, but it is worth the wait, trust us!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The 2019 festival will take place June 1-2, 2019. It will be the 43rd annual event.

>> Get ready for a ‘berry WACO’ weekend

>> How the Troy Strawberry Festival got its start more than 40 years ago