OCALA — A steady stream of families moved through the McPherson Complex on Saturday with strawberry treats, shaved ice and lemonade in hand as live music carried across the festival grounds and children crowded the petting zoo and BMX show.
The 12th annual Ocala strawberry festival, hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, drew a packed crowd, but organizers said its purpose goes beyond food and entertainment. Jeff Ruttenberg, senior project manager for the nonprofit, said the one-day event is expected to net about $70,000 toward the construction of another home for a low-income family.
Ruttenberg said the nonprofit aims to build 22 homes this year, a significant increase from just two annually when he first got involved. He said he was one of the first three people to help launch the festival 12 years ago, and the event has since grown into one of the organization’s biggest annual fundraisers…