On Saturday June 4th, after the annual Farmer’s Day Parade, people from all around Lynden area came together to create a delicious 1,250 foot long (that’s 4 blocks!) strawberry shortcake.
Enjoy the videos above with footage from the ground, the nearby rooftops and even the air to give some perspective on the World’s Longest Strawberry Shortcake!
photo by Everlasting Photography
Check out some more great photos from the parade in Everlasting Photography’s Facebook album:
1,250 feet — that’s all the way through downtown Lynden.
From the Dutch Village Mall on 7th & Front all the way to Colony House Furniture on 3rd & Front near the museum, a world-record berry shortcake will block the road on Saturday, June 4th during this year’s Farmers Day Parade.
“Since we have the world’s sweetest strawberries and shortcake is such a wonderful way to enjoy them, this will be a fun way to celebrate Lynden’s 125th anniversary”
Lynden is known for its berries, dairies, and a love of food — so the giant treat seemed like a great way to gather and celebrate as a community. Gary Vis, executive director of the Lynden Chamber of Commerce, explains that the shortcake will be topped with locally grown strawberries, plus local ice cream and whipped cream. The community will then be invited to eat free servings of the strawberry shortcake.
A mini strawberry shortcake, which pales in comparison to Lynden’s record-setting attempt this summer!
Plenty of people should be around to help eat the shortcake, since it will be built immediately following the popular Farmers Day Parade, which draws up to 10,000 people annually. The parade, which celebrates our local agricultural heritage, will start at 10:30 a.m. and conclude around 12 noon.
“Once we’ve built the 1,250-foot shortcake, photographers and a drone will produce the documentation we need to submit to Guiness World Records,” Vis said. “Then volunteers will begin serving free strawberry shortcake to everyone who stays.”
Downtown Lynden during last year’s Farmers Day Parade.
Today marks the 125th anniversary of Lynden’s official incorporation on March 16th, 1891 — and every 25 years since the men of Lynden have undertaken a beard growing challenge. For this year’s contest, around 40 men grew out their beards and mustaches over a 42-day period, culminating in a judging session this past Saturday at the Inn at Lynden.
Mayor Scott Korthuis has his beard examined by judges and Lynden Chamber director Gary Vis
Categories include ‘Overall Grand Champion’, ‘Best Heritage Hair’ (for those who did not start with a clean shave) and ‘Best Clean Shave’ (for those who did).
A newspaper clipping from the 1991 beard growing contest, 25 years ago, was on display at this year’s contest.
Careful judging makes for a fun old-time tradition
Participants were judged by Rose DeGroot (owner of Fairway Cafe) and Cliff Fast (long-time barber from Cliff’s Shear Design on the corner of 9th & Front Streets). Speaking of the judging process, Lynden 125 committee chair Karen Kildall said “They had a tough job — the competition was really, really tight. But, in the end, they were able to choose our winners.”
The Northwest Washington Fair has just announced that country music star Josh Turner will be performing at the fair on Saturday, August 20th.
The rich, deep voice and distinctive style of country music star Josh Turner will be presented Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden.
Maberry Packing's 'Best of Parade' float, with a live ice skater!
The 25th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade this last weekend lit up thousands of smiles!
From Fairway Center down Front Street through Downtown Lynden, more than 40 well-lit floats including everything from classic tractors to modern farming equipment, ATVs to horse-drawn carriages, passed thousands of onlookers on Saturday evening, December 5th. Light rain and relatively warm temperatures (compared to past years) provided a great setting for this year’s parade, sponsored by Edaleen Dairy and put on by the Lynden Chamber of Commerce.
HOEK Photography of Lynden provided us lots of great parade pictures to enjoy! While every float isn’t included, these twenty pictures provide a wonderful glimpse into the evening. Click the gallery pictures below and arrow through them to enjoy! (Then, continue reading for a bit more story).
Lynden's Lighted Christmas Parade 2015
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As always, Lynden Police Department cleared the way for the Lighted Christmas Parade with their bright red and blue!
Maberry Packing earned this year's "Best of Parade" award with their amazing bright float!
Maberry Packing's 'Best of Parade', with a live ice skater, snowman and Santa!
Homestead Cheer Class 2015.
Bedlington's "Powered by Potatoes": as always, many floats reflect our strong agricultural heritage.
The parade is always a favorite for kids, like these girls with their big smiles and waves.
The Lynden Christian 2015 Volleyball State Champions rode through town on this great float. Good work ladies!
The Boy Scouts of America are always prepared, here in their rain-protected float!
SimpleBox storage helped promote our community's "Be The One Mentoring Program".
Several classic fire trucks lit up the faces of adults and children in this year's parade, like years past.
A few horse-drawn carriages were sure to please the pony-loving young girls and their families as well.
As always, LTI pleased with their amazing tanker truck, built right here in town, winning "Best Commercial Entry".
Santa appears to have gotten stuck in the chimney on the LTI milk tank -- or perhaps he's just getting his fill of milk!
Another angle on the LTI Milky Way truck.
Another beautiful horse-drawn entry by Cramer Classics and Stremler Gravel.
Snydar Farms of Everson showed off a bright John Deere tractor.
"Big green tractors" have a rich history in this town, and have been a part of this parade for countless years.
A Littau Harvester berry picker built here in Lynden was in the Christmas spirit for the parade!
A classic truck from S&H Auto Parts featured plenty of cheer this year!
Another angle on the S&H Auto Parts lighted float.
In stark contrast to the S&H classic truck, this modern ride could have won the category "Best Lit Wheels" hands down!
Several homes on Front Street were beautifully lit, too!
Well after the parade ended, there's a line for Dutch Poffertjes in front of Dutch Mothers!
The Lynden Dutch Bakery stayed open and busy well after the parade ended.
Village Books at Waples Mercantile hosted The Grinch, and was busy after the parade.
My wife Lindsey VanderHoek, of HOEK Photography, who took parade photos!
Today is a holiday celebrated across the country with the main focus being Thankfulness. Families and friends will gather in Lynden today over tables with copious amounts of delicious food. Many with history in Lynden will make the trek home to join family here, while others will make the trek away to join family elsewhere.
Regardless of your particular circumstance this Thanksgiving, it is our hope and prayer that you can find much to be thankful for this year. It may sound strange to focus on being thankful if you’re in a season of difficulty, but it is truly like medicine for the soul.
(Photo by Stacee Sledge, courtesy of WhatcomTalk.com)
After 25 years of serving the local community with their annual Fall Harvest Festival, today marks the last day of the final year of Stoney Ridge Farm’s October festivities. For many Lynden-area families, Stoney Ridge Farm’s fall activities have been an annual tradition synonymous with autumn and the harvest season.