Lobster Roll, strawberry shortcake festival today

KENSINGTON » The fourth annual Festival on the Hill, a Lobster Roll/Strawberry Shortcake Festival, will be held at Kensington Congregational Church (KCC), 312 Percival Avenue in Kensington, on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine. This is a community outreach event and fundraiser that supports youth mission work including providing and serving lunch at the New Britain Salvation Army “Out of the Cold” program and sending local high school youth on a weeklong mission/ work camp trip to aid those in great need. Billed as a community celebration of food, music and fun, KCC is bringing together town civic organizations, school groups, local artisans, live music and family entertainment. Food will include KCC’s now famous hot buttered lobster rolls, pulled pork, smoked brisket, freshly made strawberry shortcake, and more.

Admission is free. There will be a wide variety of vendors on the church grounds. Free face painting and balloon sculpting courtesy of Berlin High School UpBeat. A bounce house and obstacle course will be available for kids. Live music will be featured throughout the day from 9 groups, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additionally, a 5K Lobster Loop road race will kick off the event at 8:30 a.m. There will be free parking with a shuttle service at both Berlin City Hall and the Knights of Columbus building at 143 Percival Avenue (down the street from the festival).

Historic Kensington Congregational Church is more than 300 years old with the current Meeting House built in 1774. On site is the oldest permanent Civil War monument in The United States, built in 1863. A 33 star flag, made in 1863 by women of the church, hangs inside the church. Tours will be available during the event.

For more information about the event and registration for the 5K Lobster Loop road race, visit www.kensingtoncong.org or go to Facebook at www.facebook.com/KensingtonCongregationalChurch