Howard County Farm Bureau will host its annual Strawberry Festival at the Fayette City Park on Tuesday, June 30. Fresh strawberries, cake, ice cream, and beverages will be served starting at 6:30 p.m. at the lower shelter house. The event is free, and the public is invited.

A highlight of the annual festival is the selection of local candidates who will be on hand for a quick speech and interaction with attendees. This year, nearly a dozen candidates are expected, including several for county-wide offices. Presiding commissioner candidates Jerimiah Johnmeyer and Jared Wies have been confirmed, along with candidate for Treasurer Stacie McCutcheon. All three are Republicans.

Hope Tinker, a Fayette candidate running for the Missouri House of Representatives 48th District, will attend. GOP incumbent Tim Taylor confimred Tuesday afternoon, after the Advertiser's print edition had gone to press, that he would attend as well.

Several candidates running for Missouri’s 5th Congressional District are expected, including Fayette’s Brad Patty. A Republican, he will be joined by fellow GOP candidates Brett Hueffmeier, Taylor Burks, Rick Brattin, and Micah Beebe, along with a representative for Democratic incumbent Emanuel Cleaver II.