It poured rain during last year's Church of the Advent 50th Annual Strawberry Festival. People had to trudge through the church's muddy grounds to huddle with other festival goers under a big tarp. This year, however, the festival was blessed with dry weather and the church could hardly keep up with the demand for fresh strawberries.

"It has been a great festival," said Jim Richards, co-chair in charge of the festival.

Held Saturday, June 19, the festival partially filled the grounds of the 80 plus-year-old church with vendors selling toys, plants and strawberries and a booth for the silent auction. The remainder of the lawn was used for the petting zoo and as a walkway for the pony rides given to children at the festival.

The church, on Advent St. in Westbury, also sold furniture, used books, tools and other donated knick-knacks under the large tarp that kept last year's festival goers dry. Police officers from Nassau County's 3rd Precinct were also there to give safety tips to children and to show off their police car.

The proceeds from the festival will be used to help fund the church's community outreach programs, said Richards.