Hulling Night Tradition, Friendship, Love As Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival Kicks Off: Photos

NORTH FORK, NY — It's a North Fork tradition that's spanned decades, bringing young and old together for a night of shared memories, laughter, and lots and lots of strawberries.

Hulling Night, held Thursday at Strawberry Fields in Mattituck, was the official kick off to the 63rd Annual Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival. Volunteers from all walks of life, including families, friends, seniors, toddlers and teens came together under a big tent, armed with gloves and aprons, ready to hull the thousands of strawberries needed for the festival.

But beyond the fruits of their labors, which will include strawberry shortcake, chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry pie and frozen strawberry drinks, perhaps the sweetest takeaway from Hulling Night is the deeply rooted sense of tradition each person acknowledges they hold dear.

As the music plays and friends gather at the same tables they've had for years, patiently hulling piles upon piles of plump red berries, there's a sense of belonging, a sense of home and place and continuity that conjures up the meaning of life in Mattituck — a place where friends and neighbors lend a helping hand, dedicate time and hearts to those in need.

And have a whole lot of fun in the process.

For a full schedule of Strawberry Festival happenings, click here.

Patch photos by Lisa Finn.