GRANBY – Red Fire Farm is preparing for their annual Strawberry Soiree on June 17.  Rain or shine, the farm is prepared to have strawberry tastings, pick-your-own strawberries, a locavore dinner, a walking tour and live music.

The Strawberry Soiree has been going on for the past nine years and attracts around 500 people annually.  Owner and Communications Manager of Red Fire Farm Sarah Voiland believes this event re-develops a relationship between people and the land their food grows on.

“You can miss strawberry season if you aren’t looking.  We have to make moments in time to get out on the farm, taste things at their peak.  I love to have people out on the farm to pick food and see where it comes from.  I think it’s important for everyone to make that connection to the land,” Voiland said.

The average consumer picks up strawberries off the grocery store shelf for consumption, but is not aware of the 17 different varieties of strawberries.  While not all 17 will be at the Soiree, many will be there for the tasting contest.  Soiree attendees are invited to test the varieties and cast their vote for their favorites.   As a strawberry farmer, Voiland has her own favorites.

“Sparkle is like eating a fruit-roll-up; the strawberry flavor is strong and very sweet. Sparkle's berries are little — and it’s like all the flavor of a bigger berry is condensed down.  It packs awesome taste. Chandler is another favorite of mine, early, with lots of succulence, juiciness, and sweetness,” Voiland added, “We grow our favorite varieties from taste testing, and aim to have berries for as long as possible by growing early, mid-season, and late varieties.”

All of the berries at Red Fire Farm are certified-organic.  The farm is partnering with Chanterelle to Go for their locavore dinner as they source locally, using their own duck eggs, Four Star Farms flours, Red Fire Farm’s produce and more locally found ingredients.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the public is welcomed to Red Fire Farm to pick their own organic strawberries.  From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. there will be a strawberry varietal tasting as well as homemade strawberry shortcake for sale.  While the tasting is going on, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. visitors are encouraged to go on a walking tour of the farm.  Around 3:30 p.m. Eli Catlin will play live country blues for Soiree attendees.  The day is free until the strawberry feast in the fields, which is ticketed, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.  The dinner menu is extensive and can be found at http://www.redfirefarm.com/event/strawberry-soiree-2/ along with more information on the day’s events.

“Strawberries, with all their deliciousness, and their short season, deserve a major celebration,” Voiland said.