BUCKHANNON — The West Virginnia Strawberry Festival Board of Directors has announced the postponement of the festival’s annual horse and carriage parade.

Shane Jenkins, the WVSF board president, said last year’s parade “simply did not live up to our standards” due to a “decline in participation.”

Jenkins wrote the following in a social media post this weekend:

“For 81 years, the West Virginia Strawberry Festival has committed to providing family entertainment. Our mission to host quality events and promote agriculture, arts and culture has been firmly upheld through the years, and stands true today.

“After much deliberation and discussion, the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Strawberry Festival has decided to postpone the horse and carriage parade.

“Let us be the first to say this is truly heartbreaking for us and everyone who has enjoyed the parade as much as we enjoy producing it. It is no secret that we have seen a decline in participation for this event since COVID-19.

“In 2022 specifically, the parade simply did not live up to our standards. We shared your disappointment, and we will not subject you to an event which does not meet the benchmark standard you expect for our events.

“Although you will not see the horse and carriage parade on Saturday, May 13, you will still have a chance to view horses and handlers who return on Thursday, May 18 throughout the Junior Royalty Parade. For clarification, all other events will continue as scheduled.

“Again, we assure you that our decision did not come lightly. Our goal stands firm at making memories for you and your family, and we aim to do that throughout our nine days of fun-filled events.

“From the bottom of our hearts: we appreciate your continued support, and we can’t wait to see you for the 81st West Virginia Strawberry Festival.”

The post does not say when the horse and carriage parade might be rescheduled.

The 2023 West Virginia Strawberry Festival schedule of events is as follows:

Saturday, May 13

All Day – Strawberry Menu

10 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies and lighting of the Festival Flame

Courthouse Plaza

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – WVSF Official Strawberry Gift Shop

11 a.m. – WVSF Pet Show

Buckhannon Dog Park

6:30 p.m. – Coronation of the King and Queen

WVWC Wesley Chapel

Sunday, May 14

All Day – Strawberry Menu

Attend a local church service

2 p.m. – Gospel Sing

The Way of Holiness Church

Monday, May 15

All Day – Strawberry Menu

Visit sponsors and local businesses

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – WVSF Official Strawberry Gift Shop

Tuesday, May 16

All Day – Strawberry Menu

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – WVSF Official Strawberry Gift Shop

4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Food Court

Jawbone Park

5 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Family Fun Day

Stockert Youth Center

Wednesday, May 17

All Day – Strawberry Menu

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – WVSF Official Strawberry Gift Shop

11 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Food & Novelty Vendors

Jawbone Park

5 p.m. – WVSF Bowling Tournament

Woody’s Bowling Center

5 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Strawberry Shindig

Jawbone Park

6 p.m. – Carnival

Downtown Buckhannon

5 p.m. – 10 p.m. – WV Exclusive Live Music

Jawbone Park

Thursday, May 18

All Day – Strawberry Menu

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – CEO Quilt Show

WVWC Gym

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – WVSF Official Strawberry Gift Shop

10 a.m. – Diaper Derby

Courthouse Plaza

10:30 a.m. – Children’s Strawberry Blonde

Courthouse Plaza

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Arts and Crafts

Stockert Youth Center

10 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Photo Exhibit

Colonial Theatre

10 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Shortcake, Homemade Ice Cream and Cookies

Chapel Hill

11 a.m. – 11 p.m. – Food Court

Jawbone Park

1 p.m. – 6 p.m. – “Children of the Festival” Exhibit

Upshur County Historical Society

5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. –

Entertainment

Courthouse Plaza

6 p.m. – Carnival

Downtown Buckhannon’

6:30 p.m. – Junior Royalty Parade

Strawberry Lane

7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Live Music

Jawbone Park

8:30 p.m. – Strawberry Idol

Courthouse Plaza

Friday, May 19

All Day – Strawberry Menu

7 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Strawberry Pancakes

First United Methodist Church

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. – WVSF Official Strawberry Gift Shop

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – CEO Quilt Show

WVWC Gym

10 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Photography Exhibit

Cononial Theatre Gallery

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Arts & Craft Show

Stockert Youth Center

10 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Shortcake, Ice Cream and Cookies

Chapel Hill

11 a.m. – 11 p.m. – Food Court

Jawbone Park

11:30 a.m. – Spring Fling

Senior Center

Noon – Carnival

Downtown Buckhannon

1 p.m. – 6 p.m. – “Children of the Festival” Exhibit

Historical Society

1 p.m. – Strawberry Capping and Crowning of the Lord and Lady

Senior Center

3 p.m. – Sweetest Berry Competition

Courthouse Plaza

4 p.m. – Antique Engine & Tractors

Stockert Youth Center

4:30 p.m. – Strawberry Basket Auction

Courthouse Plaza

5:30 p.m. – Entertainment

Courthouse Plaza

6:30 p.m. – Firemen’s Parade

Strawberry Lane

After the Parade – Strawberry Blonde (Adult), Best Legs (Men) and Pie-Eating Contest

Courthouse Plaza

8 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Live Music & Entertainment

Jawbone Park

8 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Live Music, Entertainment & Party Gras

Main

8:30 p.m. – Strawberry Idol

Courthouse Plaza

Saturday, May 20

All Day – Strawberry Menu

7 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Strawberry Pancakes

First United Methodist Church

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. – WVSF Official Strawberry Gift Shop

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – CEO Quilt Show

WVWC Gym

9 a.m. – Mountaineer Strawberry Championship

White Horse

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Music & Entertainment

Courthouse Plaza

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Photography Exhibit

Colonial Theatre Gallery

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Antique Engine & Tractors

Stockert Youth

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Shortcake, Ice Cream and Cookies

Chapel Hill

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Arts and Crafts

Stockert Youth Center

10 a.m. – Strawberry Mile (Race at Noon)

Academy School

11 a.m. – 11 p.m. – Food Court

Jawbone Park

Noon – Carnival

Downtown

Buckhannon

Noon – Antique Tractor & Classic Car Parade

1 p.m. – WVSF Official Grand Feature Parade

Strawberry Lane

4 p.m. – Irish Road Bowling

Turkey Run Road

6:30 p.m. – Strawberry Idol

Courthouse Plaza

7 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Live Music & Entertainment

Jawbone Park

7 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Live Music, Entertainment & Party Gras

Main

Sunday, May 21

All Day – Strawberry Menu

8 a.m. – Mountaineer Strawberry Championship

White Horse

Noon – Jack Barker Canoe Race

Wood Street Park: Boat Ramp

1 p.m. – Irish Road Bowling

Turkey Run Road

1 p.m. – Carnival

Downtown Buckhannon

4 p.m. – Closing Ceremonies

Courthouse Plaza