Rhea County Celebrates Strawberry Festival

  • Saturday, May 13, 2023

The population of the city of Dayton doubled Saturday as the 76th Annual East Tennessee Strawberry Parade marched through the city on Market Street.

According to Dayton Police Chief Tracy Blevins and Sheriff Mike Neal, both agencies along with agents from Homeland Security were on hand to provide protection and assistance for the parade.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol started the parade exactly at 1 p.m. with Trooper Gordon Roberts, who is a Rhea County native and assigned to Rhea County and Trooper Brandon Jones. The Patrol was followed by the Rhea County ROTC Color Guard and the ROTC Corps.

Tommy Brady, who was in charge of the Historic Rhea County Courthouse grounds for years, was this year's Grand Marshal of the Parade.

The Native American Festival has become a part of the Strawberry Parade over the past few years.

Their event will be Nov. 11 and 12 at Point Park in Dayton.

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