Rain held off for St. Philip’s Episcopal Church's annual Strawberry Festival in Wiscasset June 29, as families came to sample homemade strawberry shortcake, maybe buy a tart or some cookies to take home, visit the crafter booths, add a few plants to the garden or flowers to the table, and bid on items for the silent auction that benefits a program for hungry schoolchildren.

There was soft folk music early, and Zumba demonstration scheduled for later in the day.

The focus of the festival is that sweet red berry that usually makes its appearance in June; this year strawberries have been a little late, due to the cool spring and rains, but are perhaps all the sweeter for the wait.

Outside the entrance to the church hall, the glistening red berries were sold by the basket. Parish members Abigail Cowing and Joan Lagg handled sales.

Meadow Rue Merrill was signing copies of her series of Christian children’s books. “The publisher wants one for every holiday,” she said. “I figure everyone’s entitled to a holiday on their birthday.” She showed off her newest book, “The Best Birthday," aimed at children 2 and up.

Indoors, people signed up for a silent auction to benefit Feed Our Scholars, to help children in Wiscasset's schools get food for the weekend. All items were donated by area merchants. The regular St. Philip’s food pantry, Help Yourself Shelf, would get funds from the baker’s table, Joni Lee, who manned the table, said.  The pantry is customarily open on Thursdays, but this week, due to the July 4 holiday, it will be open Tuesday.

Others browsed the crafting tables. Judy Rivera Gallant was doing a brisk business in wooden cars and trucks, some quite large. Margot Stiassni of Edgecomb tried on a handmade boa-like scarf.

Outside, attendees lined up for hot dogs and all the fixings, as well as flowers and perennials, which flourished in the spring rains.