The State Farmers Market will host a strawberry dessert contest as part of its annual celebration of N.C. strawberries. Visitors can enjoy free samples of locally grown strawberries, strawberry ice cream and a strawberry dessert. Strawberry mascot, Suzy the Strawberry, also will be on hand to greet children and pass out free recipes and nutritional information.

Dessert entries can be dropped off at the State Farmers Market office from 8 to 10 a.m. the day of the event. Judging will begin at 10 a.m. Each recipe must contain at least two cups of N.C. strawberries, and strawberries must be one of the main ingredients. First place earns $100, second place earns $75 and third place earns $50.

Complete contest rules and information are available at bit.ly/StrawberryDay.

WHEN: Thursday, May 5
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE: Farmers Building, State Farmers Market, 1201 Agriculture St.
Interstate 40, exit 297, Lake Wheeler Road

Strawberry Day is sponsored by the N.C. Strawberry Association, State Farmers Market and N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.