Buckhannon, WV – As the 81st West Virginia Strawberry Festival approaches, festival-goers are in for a vibrant visual treat. The National Art Honor Society recently completed a street mural celebrating this year’s theme, “Strawberry Freedom.”

The colorful red, white and blue artwork, designed by senior Haley Butcher, is set to welcome visitors to the festival at the intersection of W. Main Street and S. Locust Street, near the Upshur County Courthouse.

Months of preparation went into this annual project, with the National Art Honor Society brainstorming ideas, enlarging the chosen design to scale, and cutting out giant stencils for spray painting.

The West Virginia Strawberry Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors annually, is a week-long event filled with activities such as parades, live music, a carnival, delicious food, and more. The 81st Strawberry Festival runs from May 13-21, and visitors are encouraged to experience the “Strawberry Freedom” for themselves.