This year’s Burtner House Strawberry Festival is celebrating a milestone: its 50th anniversary.
The event has become a summertime tradition for generations of local families, bringing together fresh strawberry treats, local vendors and community activities.
The 50th edition of the Strawberry Festival will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the historic Burtner House in Natrona Heights.
Festival organizers promise “the sweetest celebration of the season,” featuring an artisan market, food trucks, family-friendly activities and plenty of strawberries. Visitors can enjoy the historic setting while making what organizers describe as “berry special” memories.
“It’s a very nice event for the community,” said Pam Seguin, vice president of the Burtner House Restoration Society. “We’ve always tried to include our community and make it community friendly.”
To mark the anniversary, the first 50 paying guests will receive a commemorative gift. Organizers have also enhanced one of the festival’s most beloved traditions: the strawberry shortcake.
“We made our strawberry shortcake even bigger and better,” Seguin said. “We added bigger scoops and whipped topping and left the price the same — $5.”
The event’s roots stretch back decades. Longtime volunteer Lucy Mahdik, who has been involved with the Burtner House for nearly 50 years, said the idea behind the celebration was simple.
“Everybody likes strawberry shortcake, so that’s why they had that, and that’s why we started it,” Mahdik said.
Because there is no onsite parking available, attendees are encouraged to use the complimentary shuttle service, which will operate throughout the day from the former Big Lots parking lot in Natrona Heights. Shuttle buses will run approximately every 15 to 20 minutes beginning at 10:30 a.m. and continue until all attendees have been transported back to the parking area.
Seguin said keeping the festival affordable has remained a priority despite rising costs.
“We found that families weren’t able to pay,” she said. “Families were actually cutting food in half. We decided to cut the price in half.”
Mahdik said organizers have long tried to make the event accessible to everyone.
“We didn’t want to make it hard for people not to come to see the house, especially with kids,” she said.
The Strawberry Festival began as a fundraiser to support the upkeep of the more than 200-year-old Burtner House, with proceeds helping cover maintenance, restoration projects and operating expenses.
“Every money that comes in, whether it be donations, event funds, sponsorships, all that information that comes in goes directly into the house,” Seguin said.
Built beginning in 1821 by Philip Burtner, the stone homestead is considered one of the oldest surviving homes in Allegheny County. The house remained in the Burtner family for generations and today is maintained by volunteers dedicated to preserving local history.
“We travel all over to see different stone houses, and we have one here in our own backyard,” Mahdik said. “If you like history, there is history here in your own backyard.”
The festival, like the Burtner House itself, relies entirely on volunteers.
“Everything carried on at the Burtner House is covered by volunteers,” Seguin said. “It’s very hard to get volunteers in this day and age.”
Mahdik echoed that sentiment.
“It’s very hard to get members to volunteer,” she said. “Everybody has another commitment or something else, but if you like something, you’re going to be there.”
Mahdik, who first became involved with the organization through former Burtner House president Vera Burtner Ferree nearly five decades ago, said her dedication has never wavered.
“I never stopped going to Burtner House after that,” she said. “I always thought Burtner House was well worth my time.”
Even so, Seguin remains optimistic about the future of the organization and its mission of preserving local history.
“In 1821, when Philip Burtner built this homestead, who would have thought 50 years later we’d still be celebrating the Strawberry Festival?” Seguin said. “It’s an amazing task.”
The festival also serves as an opportunity to connect residents with the area’s history.
“We call it our beacon on the hill,” Seguin said.
For Mahdik, preserving that history is deeply personal.
“I would say the love of the house, and also the history about Philip Burtner and his family,” she said. “When you’re a member and you’ve cleaned, it’s like having company. You’re welcoming everybody to your house. And this is the Burtner House that we’d like to share with you.”
In addition to strawberry shortcake, this year’s festival will feature food trucks, an artisan market, face painting, educational activities and historical demonstrations. An archaeology group will also be on site to help visitors learn more about artifacts and relics.
The event will take place rain or shine.
For Seguin, the heart of the festival remains simple: creating a welcoming experience for local families.
“If somebody comes with a bunch of kids, they don’t have to cut food in half,” she said. “They are able to enjoy the day.”
Mahdik said she hopes the festival continues for generations to come.
“It’s the idea that this is something in the community, and I just hope it keeps on going because we’re all getting older and it’s really hard to find people to help out,” she said.
Still, she believes the work is worthwhile.
“It’s just so nice when somebody does come to you and say, ‘This house is beautiful.’ It’s well worth it,” Mahdik said.
Additional information, volunteer opportunities and tickets can be found through the Burtner House Restoration Society website, burtnerhouse.org.