This is what it looked like for the very first Strawberry Day celebration. On the right hand side of the photo, the local fire department wagon can be seen in front of 824 Grand Avenue where the department was initially housed and where headquarters for that first Strawberry Day was located.

The celebration was designed to boost the sale of agricultural products grown within the area. The entire state of Colorado was invited where the crops could be displayed and tasted. Strawberries were produced in abundance within the area in the 1890s.

The community and residents of three counties generously contributed to the festival’s success. Bushels of strawberries came from local farmers, dairymen of Pitkin and Eagle Counties delivered gallons of cream and the women of Glenwood Springs baked homemade cakes to serve with the cream and strawberries. All of these were served free at Banning’s Livery Stable on Colorado Avenue.