For Indianapolis, both "young and young at heart", embrace Christ Church Cathedral Women's Strawberry Festival as a summertime tradition that began in 1965. Over the years it has grown to become a hometown event that unites Hoosiers as they pause for a moment from their busy Thursday to venture out onto the circle and greet one another with smiles and laughter over a big bowl of cake, berries, ice cream and whipped topping.

Fashioned after the English tradition of the Strawberry 'Fete', the first festival served a crowd of 500 to support Cathedral Women's missionary outreach work. Today Strawberry Festival is a huge success serving crowds of upwards of 20 thousand while continuing to support many non-profit organizations around the globe. Hoosiers can be proud knowing that every dessert purchased has helped orphanages, food banks, homeless shelters, as well as schools, medical mission trips and more. Having reached so many non-profit organizations globally, Strawberry Festival has helped to build a great reputation for Indiana as a caring and generous community worldwide.

This year's 45th Festival, on Thursday, June 10, 2010, will serve approximate 17,000 shortcakes, 9,000 pounds of berries, 600 gallons of ice cream, and 900 pounds of whipped topping. The Works will remain $6.00 per order. Serving begins at 8:30 a.m. downstairs in the Parish Hall and 9:00 a.m. under the tents on the circle. The festival ends around 3:00 p.m. Or until they run out of desserts.

Locally grants have supported: The Julian Center, Crain House, Dayspring, Stopover, St. Thomas Clinic, Noble Of Indiana, Dress For Success, Gleaners Food Bank, Wheeler Mission, Young Audiences Of Indiana and more. Nationally and globally, grants have supported the National Alliance On Mental Health (NAMI), Lillian Valley Episcopal School, Tomorrows Stars, The Salvation Army, Peace Learning Center, WeCare, Mercy Foundation, Umjo Project and more.