Butcher Block Restaurant in Hockley Village Although the Hockley Strawberry Festival is only in its 13th consecutive year, run, more or less, by the same people, the fact of a spring festival in Hockley is 100 or more years old.

Established, as much as any tiny village in the 19th Century, in 1837 when John McFarlane bought property and created a grist and lumber mill by the Nottawasaga river, and a hotel and homestead on the village site.

According to Jacques Brooksbank's (1923 - 2009) history of Hockley village, by 1863, the village acquired its name when a post office was established, after the owner of the Hockley Hotel, Thomas Hockley, who was "the principal businessman in the village at the time."

Although, when his mill burned down in September, 1863, Thomas Hockley left the area, having insufficient means by which to re-build his property, the village and surrounding valley have retained his name.

Today, there are still several historical buildings and Thomas Hockley might have thought the place remarkably unchanged were he to visit it now. The prime exception to this, of course, is the Hockley General Store, an imposing building which replaced the original general store or the Driveshed, as it was latterly called.

Purchased in the late 1990's by Ian Wookey, whose family has owned a home there for many years, the building was replaced when it became clear the old building was in such a state of decrepitude so as to be beyond simple renovations.

Sticking to the tone of the village Mr. Wookey's new general store retains a cozy country feel, with old wood and log outdoor furniture. It is a natural stopping point for travelling clubs whether on bicycles, vintage cars or motorcycles.

The General Store and the complex of buildings associated with it have supported the Strawberry Festival to the fullest over the years.

Well-known artist Laura Berry has her Gallery in the space adjacent to the general store. Ms, Berry, famous for her cottage scenes and teddy bears, has had a gallery in the village for several years now, as the only retail shop which belongs to her. There are several originals, many prints and any number of related souvenirs for sale in the gallery.

At the back of the general store's property, Esteem Fitness is housed in a onestorey building. Master of muscles and good tone, Fulvio Cubello offers a range of counselling services for your body: athlete coaching, "boot camp", cycling coaching - youth fitness programs and so forth.

At the front in a small century house, there is Des Jardin Spa and Salon: everything for spoiling: hairdresser, massage therapist, people who do maniand pedi-cures and facials.

Now in their 15th year in Hockley, Jane and Mark Bolton own and run the Hiding Inn Hockley Restaurant immediately around the bed in the road from the spa.

Their two sons, Ryley (15) and Jesse (12), were born here and now work in the restaurant. Both are pleased to be involved with the family business, working and being paid the same wages as any of the other students whom the Boltons employ. Hiding Inn Hockley is a fine dining establishment, currently running a "fixed price" menu for the spring months which has proved popular with its customers.

To the south end of the village are the two historic churches. Sadly for the community, "Little St. Jimmy's", the Anglican Church of St. James (built 1891), was been shut down this year after nearly 120 years of service.

Across the street, however, is Hockley United Church, which was originally built 1887 on Airport Road. It was cut into four pieces and dragged by horses on sleighs to its present position in Hockley Village in the winter of 1888, where it was re-erected.

Beside it is the Hockley Seniors and Community Centre, the original Orange Lodge, as it was constructed by the "Hockley Loyal Orange Lodge" in 1892. The centre is now used for functions, groups, meetings and entertainments. For the Strawberry Festival, the United Church hosts a pancake breakfast. Afundraiser for the church, it gets the day off to a traditional country start.

In addition, there are several houses, including the old school house - now a private home - which date back well into the 1800's. For the most part, their owners have worked to maintain and keep the houses in their original appearances.

A visit to Hockley Village at any time is worth the 10- or 15-minute drive from Orangeville but the people of the village hope that those who know and love the village and those who have never visited it will come to the Strawberry Festival Saturday, June 20.

There are games and things to do for the children, beginning with the Great Bicycle Parade starting at 10:00 a.m. Prizes for all the children and a prize for the best decorated bike! This is not a race - it is a parade, which will be lead by a beautifully restored Model T Ford.

There are two silent auctions: one for the church and the other for the Village park, created for the young people in the village to play foot ball, ride their bikes and so forth.

And there will be local strawberries.

Vendors and groups are welcomed to set up for the day. Call Carl Luttrell for details: 519-941-6439.