Apr, 19
2023
Business, Free News Articles, Regional Events

Berry Tastes and Treats at 37th Annual California Strawberry Festival

VENTURA, Calif. -- The 37th Annual California Strawberry Festival makes its debut at the Ventura County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21 with strawberry-themed food, beverages and contests, live entertainment, rides and activities. This year marks the first time the festival is being held at the fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001). Hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days.

For strawberry lovers, the California Strawberry Festival is two days of strawberry heaven. Over 50 food and beverage vendors will serve such treats as strawberry pies, strawberry-topped funnel cakes, strawberry nachos, deep-fried strawberries, berry kabobs, strawberry tacos, strawberry beer and smoothies. Festivalgoers can build their own strawberry shortcakes, piling on as many strawberries and whipped cream as possible.

Nearly 50,000 people are expected to attend the festival over two days, many coming from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Riverside and Orange counties. An estimated 1.5 million strawberries will be consumed over the two-day festival. Strawberries are the number one crop in Ventura County. Strawberries grown in the Oxnard Plain are considered by many to be the best-tasting and juiciest in the world. For festivalgoers who want to take a bit of the festival home, Ventura County family-owned farms will be selling fresh-picked, vine-ripened strawberries at the festival in 3-packs, half trays and full trays.

On two stages, 24 bands offering reggae, Latin, rock, country, and R&B music will perform. Popular LA-based reggae artist, Arise Roots, will take the stage at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. In the festival's Strawberryland, kids can enjoy science and magic shows on the Jest in Time Family Fun Stage presented by Wonderfold.

The stage will also be the site of the Berry Baby Fashion Parade presented by SoCalFord at 2 p.m. both days. Kids from infants to four years of age can show off their strawberry-themed costumes from stage (with the help of their parents). There is also a Strawberry Tart Toss and a Ninja National obstacle course.

The California Strawberry Festival features more than 200 artisans from throughout the West who will showcase their goods. Many of the artists and crafters have been coming to the festival for years.

"Festivals allow shoppers to get an up-close look at items before buying. They can talk with the artisans to learn more about their work. It's an experience that you don't have when shopping online," says Dana Hale-Mounier, director of Pacific Fine Arts Festivals and coordinator of the festival's arts and craft booths.

"We are looking forward to providing a comfortable festivalgoer experience--a rain or shine venue with three food courts, indoor space for our artists and crafters, indoor and outdoor dining areas, paved parking on site, an Amtrak Station across the street, close proximity to the 101 Freeway, and easy access to free shuttles," says Dean Kato, festival chair.

Through the California Strawberry Festival, participating nonprofit organizations have raised over $5 million.

"Our goal has always been to create a celebration in honor of the strawberries that grow prolifically throughout our rich agricultural region and to support other nonprofits within our community," says Kato. "Our all-volunteer board is dedicated to providing a wonderful two-day experience for festivalgoers."

General admission is $15. For active military and their dependents with ID and seniors 62 years and older, admission is $10 and for ages 5 to 12, admission is $8. Children 4 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://castrawberryfestival.org/ or upon entry to the festival.

A limited amount of parking is available onsite for $20 per vehicle. Free shuttles will run every 15 minutes from locations in Oxnard and Ventura. The Ventura Amtrak Station is onsite for out-of-area visitors. For parking options, go to https://castrawberryfestival.org/getting-here/free-shuttle-service.

To learn more, go to https://castrawberryfestival.org/, email info@castrawberryfestival.org or follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram.

Related link: https://castrawberryfestival.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Jan, 11
2023
Free News Articles, Regional Events

California Strawberry Festival is Back – at a New Venue

OXNARD, Calif. -- After a three-year hiatus due to challenges brought on by the pandemic, the 2023 California Strawberry Festival will take place May 20-21. For the first time ever, the event will be held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

"We are thrilled to relaunch the California Strawberry Festival in 2023 at the Fairgrounds," says Dean Kato, Chairman of the California Strawberry Festival Board of Directors. "We realized that the event had outgrown the available space at our longtime venue, Oxnard's College Park. It's our 'comeback' year - and we want to come out bigger and better than ever."

This isn't the first time the Festival has outgrown a location, and the Fairgrounds venue was considered when the California Strawberry Festival moved from Channel Islands Harbor to College Park in 1991.

"Although the Festival has historically taken place in Oxnard, it belongs to all of Ventura County," says Kato.

The beachside location provides iconic views, and Ventura offers up a vibrant downtown just a few blocks away, with hotels, restaurants, and nightlife. Guests will appreciate that the Fairgrounds is close to the 101 freeway and has onsite parking, and the Festival will continue to host free shuttle services from many convenient locations.

Ventura's Amtrak station is situated adjacent to the Fairgrounds, so it's easier than ever to take the train directly to the Festival. Another benefit is that buildings, lighting, and restrooms are built-in amenities at the rain-or-shine venue.

"The Ventura County Fairgrounds and Event Center was built with the space and structural elements to accommodate large festivals," says Fairgrounds CEO Stacy Rianda. "We're looking forward to hosting the California Strawberry Festival."

The California Strawberry Festival is known in Ventura County as the kick-off to summertime, and tens of thousands of festivalgoers attend the celebration each year. Local non-profit organizations, food vendors, artists and crafters, entertainers, sponsors and hundreds of volunteers are instrumental to its success.

The all-volunteer board is ready for the opportunity to raise the bar in 2023.

"We've already been hard at work on the re-launch," says Kato. "Change is exciting. But of course, some things will stay the same - like the always-popular $5 build-your-own strawberry shortcake, fresh-picked local strawberries, and really nice arts and crafts. We're anticipating an outstanding Festival in 2023."

To keep posted on the 2023 California Strawberry Festival, go to https://castrawberryfestival.org/ or Facebook @CaliforniaStrawberryFestival.

Related link: https://castrawberryfestival.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022