The church parvis was teeming with people enjoying fresh strawberry ice cream, strawberry pancakes and waffles while taking in the entertainment from the main stage during the fourth edition of the Mgarr Festa Frawli yesterday.

The Festa Frawli, an annual event which has deservedly gained quite a reputation, is a chance for farmers to promote their fresh produce and for people to experiment with different ways of using strawberries in their food.

The paths leading to the church were all quite crowded with people eagerly making their way to the festival, or their way back to their car, laden with boxes of strawberries and strawberry plants.

If parked a short distance away, during the walk to the church many were stopped by a hooting park and ride van offering them a lift to the centre. These people also had the option of being driven back to their cars.

Approaching the hub of the activity one could hear the sound of traditional Maltese music, coupled with the calls of those attempting to sell the fresh strawberries, and even strawberry wine, a novelty for many.

On the parvis itself one had the opportunity to taste a variety of foods, all somehow incorporating the succulent red fruit. There was ice cream, sorbets, smoothies and pancakes, waffles, gateaux and even kannoli.

The entertainment harped back to Maltese culture, some of which is no longer very common today. Edmond Jackson, founder of the Jackson’s Zaqq u Tanbur Folk Group, gave the audience a short explanation outlining what each of these traditional instruments do as well as a short demonstration of their music.

The family play a number of instruments between them, which include the zaqq (the Maltese bagpipe), the tambur (the Maltese frame drum) and the zafzafa (a friction drum).

The Menhir Folk Group from Qala, Gozo, was also on hand to provide entertainment. Besides, women in traditional Maltese costume, some even wearing the ghonnella, were part of the entertainment.

Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino and Health Minister Joe Cassar were also present, and cut a cake which contained over 100 kilograms of strawberries, which people then had the chance to taste.

It was fortunate that yesterday was a particularly sunny day, making it the ideal weather for people to make this a family outing, with activities for young and old alike.