If you're planning a move to Belleville, then you might be spending a lot of time looking at Belleville homes for sale in the coming months. But we strongly encourage you to take at least a day off from your house hunt to attend the Belleville Strawberry Festival. This classic festival is the perfect way to celebrate the kick-off of strawberry season with your kids, friends, and neighbors. It's scheduled for Saturday, May 13th - Sunday, May 22nd this year, and the whole region is looking forward to it. Here are the key details to know.

• Location and Scheduling
  The Belleville Strawberry Festival will take place at Eckert's, which is located at 951 S. Green Mount Rd., Belleville, IL 62220. The first day of the festival is Saturday, May 13th, with additional dates on May 14th, 21st, and 22nd. It will open at 10:00 am and finish up by 5:00 pm each day. 
  
  
• Strawberry Picking
  Of course, the key attraction at the Belleville Strawberry Festival is strawberry picking. You can venture out into the fields and pick some berries. Fill one basket, or fill a whole tray. The strawberries at Eckert's are known to be some of the best in the region. Not only are they delicious to eat, but they also make great jams, pies, and shortcakes. 
  
  The best time to pick strawberries is usually in the morning. This way, you'll keep cool, and the berries will also be cool. So, consider arriving at the festival first-thing. You can pick berries and then move on to the other activities.
  
  
• Other Activities
  In addition to strawberry picking, there will be plenty of other fun activities to enjoy. One favorite is always the carnival rides. There will be several specifically for kids, but also a few classics that adults will love. The wagon ride is also a classic; you'll get a great view of the Belleville Farm.
  
  There's also a petting zoo that will be open during the Strawberry Festival. See and pet goats, donkeys, and other animals. There may even be some treats to feed them.
  
  While admission to the festival is free, there are additional fees for some activities. You will also be charged for any strawberries you pick. Make sure you come hungry, as there will be plenty of snacks, treats, and dishes for sale during the event.
  
  
• About Belleville Farm
  The Eckert family has been farming in Illinois for more than 100 years. They own several farms in the Belleville area, including Belleville Farm. Through sustainable farming, they help protect the land for future generations. 
  
  While strawberry picking is a key attraction at Belleville Farm, a country store is on-site selling pies, cider, and other farm-fresh goodies. Plus, there is a trail called the Orchard Loop, which passes through the farm and connects to the Metro Bike Link Trail. If you can't make it to the Belleville Strawberry Festival, riding your bike through Belleville Farm is another great way to experience its charm.

The Belleville area is well known for its farming traditions and delicious produce, and this year's Strawberry Festival is a great opportunity to experience it all! Take time to enjoy the festival, and contact us if you have real estate questions about the local area. Our real estate agents are standing by.