ASHLAND ─ The time has arrived for people to stop by Grandpa’s Cheesebarn and Sweeties Chocolates to get some strawberry treats.
The 43-year-old business is hosting its 21st Strawberry Feast starting on Friday. Many families and travelers went to the shop in the morning, leaving with a bag full of freshly made products or a milkshake.
Christian Albers, marketing director for Grandpa’s Cheesebarn, said the Strawberry Feast always coincides with Ashland BalloonFest, which began on Thursday. Many families would go to the festival and then to the shop to get some treats.
The BallonFest inspired the shop’s owners, Ronda and Dick Poorbaugh, to start the annual event and bring more attention to the area, according to Albers.
“So they thought, ‘Well, we’ve got pretty good traffic coming in. Why don’t we do something? They can bring the families out and have some fun,’ ” the marketing director said.
Customers will find fudge and chocolate in multiple flavors at the chocolate shop. Supervisor Joey Keiser said the strawberry lemonade fudge and strawberry cheesecake fudge are available only during the three-day feast.
“A lot of people love our fudge because it’s fresh, soft and smooth,” she said.
The kitchen makes the fudge five to six times a week, Keiser said. It makes a small amount of every time, so it stays fresh and doesn’t get dry.
The strawberry barbecue sauce, a product debuting last year, is back at the cheesebarn. Albers said the seasonal sauce will be available through the end of summer.
“It has a little bit of heat to it,” supervisor Adrianna Wichterman said.
People can also taste a little strawberry and the sweetness it brings in the barbecue sauce, she said. In addition, the sauce works well with pork, chicken and many other food.
Wichterman said some customers even put it on rice to add more flavor.
A new blend of strawberries and cream popcorn is available this year and has become a popular item, Albers said. Besides the strawberry fudge, the shop also offers strawberry ice cream, milkshakes, shortcakes and many other fresh products.
The Strawberry Feast at Grandpa’s Cheesebarn will last through Sunday. Albers said visitors will be able to pet the ponies and take pictures with a professional handler from 12 to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Grandpa’s Cheesebarn opens from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. More information about the Strawberry Feast could be found on the event’s Facebook page.
