Families gathered for the 66th annual Mattituck Strawberry Festival Friday night to enjoy delicious treats, carnival rides and a spectacular fireworks show.

The festival has attracted thousands of people since it began Wednesday.

The Mattituck Lions Club hosts the event to benefit charity, something organizers say they missed out on last year due to the pandemic.

“It was real tough last year, this is our major fundraising campaign and we lost all the money that we would normally raise in a year,” says Chris Salmon, of the Mattituck Lions Club.

This year, they're back and doing what they do best— helping others.

“Every year we usually donate a lot of money to sponsor guide dogs for the Guide Dog Foundation in Smithtown. A lot of different charities for the blind and anything local that pops up,” Salmon says.

After going through a tough year that kept families and friends separated, residents said it was sweet to be back.

The Strawberry Festival runs through Sunday.