This year’s Strawberry Festival marked a return to community in a festival designed to be “for Vashon by Vashon” by a dedicated team of volunteers at the Vashon-Maury Island Chamber of Commerce.

In a departure from festivals past, no outside vendors lined the streets selling their wares, but rather, Vashon Highway was opened up to foot traffic so festival-goers could dine and shop locally. Music stages abounded, with performances on the festival mainstage at Vashon Market IGA, Snapdragon, The Sugar Shack and Community Brewing Pub.

Ancillary festival events, planned by Chamber partners, took place at Mukai Farm & Garden, Vashon Center for the Arts, Open Space for Arts & Community and other spots around town. It was a time for islanders to reacquaint themselves with each other, dance the night away and keep Vashon weird — with a strawberry on top.