Mattituck Strawberry Fest Talent Show Reflects Deep North Fork Values

MATTITUCK, NY — In a tradition that's fast becoming as beloved as Hulling Night among longtime local residents of the North Fork, a talent show unfolded at the 69th Annual Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival that had the crowd cheering with love and pride.

The annual "Strawberry Festival Talent Show" competition took place Wednesday night, with locals bringing their vocal, dance and comedy gifts to the stage. The contest was divided into two groups, with kids 15 and younger and 16 and older.

Winners in the 15 and younger, or "Inspiring," category included Harper Dellapolski and Juliette Kibbeske, 11 and 9, who won first prize and $1,000 for their dance performance; coming in second place and winning $500 for his drum solo was Ash Javidi. In the 16 and over, or "Sassy" category, the first place prize went to soloist Jane Lopez of Riverhead, with second place going to the band Lethal Force.

This year, the contest was opened by past winners entertaining the crowds, including Jayda Hubbard and the band Wave Length, followed by a winner jam session until 10 p.m.

A total of 12 acts performed before the judges. Wearing strawberry T-shirts and berry-dotted sundresses, young and old danced, sang, and applauded on the field as they watched, even waving roses in the air as the acts shared their considerable talents.

The all-girl group, Ladybells and Co., kicked off the night with a mash up of "Love Fool" by the Cardigans and "Just a Girl" by Adele. Soloist Cali, just 7, wowed the crowd with her rendition of "Part of Your World," from "The Little Mermaid."

Jesse Meehan, 20, sang an original piece. Past winner Karisma Grant, 9, who will be forever remembered as the tiny girl who kept dancing, even when the music stopped in 2022, rendering her a winner in her category, performed with Julia Cox, 9, dancing, to the song "Feeling Gorgeous."

The band Meatbees performed, as did former contestant Ash Javidi, now 12, on drums.

A trio, Trio Los Primos, from Riverhead, sang a traditional Mexican ballad as their music teacher watched, smiling and applauding.

Harper Dihopolsky and Julia Kubetz, 11 and 9, students at the North Fork Academy of Dance, danced to the song "Miracle." When asked why they'd chosen the song, the girls said, "This dance is about, no matter what, we'll always rescue each other when we're sad or down." When they finished dancing, the girls hugged.

Lilou Zugmeyer, a finalist in last year's competition, sang "Before He Cheats," bringing down the proverbial house with her powerhouse vocals. "I've been performing my whole life," she said. "I love to do it as many times as I can."

Soloist Evangeline Schroeder, 10, sang "Firework" by Katy Perry, her father accompanying her on guitar — a look of pride on his face as he watched his daughter sing.

Schroeder said she thought the song was the perfect choice, a preface to the fireworks at the festival.

Soloist Jane Lopez of Riverhead sang "Love in the Dark," by Adele, and the band Lethal Force wrapped up the show.

But the judges and Mattituck Strawberry Festival Chair echoed the clear sentiment of the crowd: "You're all winners."