A Community-Led Beginning 

The Honeoye Lake Strawberry Festival began with a simple idea—to bring people together on Main Street at the start of summer.

Created by local business owners and community members, the festival reflects a shared effort to celebrate Honeoye and all that makes it special—its small businesses, its creativity, and its sense of place.

Rooted in the Region

The festival also honors the Honeoye strawberry, a variety developed through Cornell University’s agricultural research and long connected to New York farming. For us, that story offers more than a name—it offers a natural starting point for celebrating the farms, food, makers, businesses, and organizations that help define this region.

As the festival grows, our hope is to deepen those connections, give greater tribute to the Honeoye strawberry and its agricultural roots, and create a summer tradition that brings people to Main Street while supporting the economic life of the hamlet.

A Community Effort

This first-year festival has come together through the steady work of the festival committee, local businesses, organizations, residents, and the Town of Richmond.

The committee has helped shape the day through shared ideas, many hours of planning, and ongoing conversations with businesses, community groups, and regional connections. Along the way, we’ve also been learning what it takes to build a homegrown festival—from organizing a walkable Main Street experience to creating a grassroots car show—with generous help, guidance, and encouragement from many people.

What began as a simple idea has grown through collaboration, and we are grateful for everyone who has helped bring it forward.

founding festival members and committee leads

• Kelly Schmidlin — Mill Creek Café

• Audrey Carrier — Community Liason and Meet Your Main Street

• Jen Rogers — Jen Rogers Art

• Cynthia Liedlien — Community Member

• Michelle Hill - Krown FLX

• Taryn Schultz — Tranquility Coffee Bar

• Amy Linehan — Reed Homestead

• Deb Baker — Community Member

Founding Partners

With appreciation for those helping guide, support, and shape the festival from the ground up:

• GRACE – Greater Richmond Area Charity Events

• Chrisman Insurance

• Honeoye Lake Strawberry Festival Committee

We also appreciate the support of the Town of Richmond, including Richmond Recreation and Town Staff and Board as we work together to bring a Main Street event to life.

Looking Ahead

This first year is just the beginning.

Our hope is to create something lasting—a day that continues to grow, bringing people together each summer while celebrating the character of Honeoye and the Finger Lakes region.