Since the Festival's inception in 1984, the founders sought to create an exceptional event that paid tribute to the prized local harvest and its workers while increasing tourism in the area and bolstering civic pride. In the months leading up to the Festival and the following, the extended community continues to benefit in various ways. From contests and school campaigns, to proceeds donated to charities, stipends and scholarships, the giving back is what keeps the Festival moving ahead.

Official Poster Contest:
Each year aspiring artists from throughout the country create originals works of art as they vie for the opportunity to have their creation selected as the official poster for the annual celebration. The winning design is also printed on collectible T-shirts and promotional items for purchase at the event.

OFFICIAL POSTER OF 2008 CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

CELEBRATES THE BERRY BEST IN TRIBUTE OF 25TH ANNIVERSARY

The toast of the county and tops in the nation, the California Strawberry Festival celebrates its 25th Silver Anniversary with a befitting official poster for 2008 featuring a sparkling champagne glass with a floating strawberry amidst a tapestry of Festival posters from throughout the years, it was revealed today during an announcement luncheon at Yolanda's Mexican Café in Oxnard.

Created by graphic artist Kevin Parks of Ventura, the stunning design is framed in a green border with a metallic finish that calls attention to the silver anniversary celebration themed: "25 Years of the Berry Best."

"The collector poster captures the excitement of our anniversary celebration while honoring the many Festivals that have contributed to our success over the years," says Festival Chairman Dean Maulhardt.

Festival patrons will find the design gracing 2008 posters, T-shirts and Festival merchandise when thousands gather for weekend fun.

When artist and creator Kevin Parks was assigned the challenge of creating an eye-catching original piece for the Festival's silver anniversary while highlighting it's evolution through the years, he worked closely with the all-volunteer board to refine the poster tapestry concept. In collaboration with photographer Christopher Zsarnay (who also created a Festival Poster Design in 1991), he enhanced a photograph taken of a floating strawberry in a fluted glass to include reflections of posters that could not fit into the original tapestry -- thus ensuring the 24-year legacy was completely represented. The result gives the glass a three-dimensional feel at the forefront of a pallet bursting with color.

A long-time resident of the county, Parks was an art major at California State University Northridge, and continued his education at Otis Parsons. He has served as art director and illustrator on projects for the Harlem Globetrotters, Fox Kids, The State of California 5-A Day program, Integrity Music, and others in the entertainment industry. His resume includes tenure with the Ventura County Star and Gospel Light, as well as projects for Scholastic Books, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, and others. Now owning and operating his own studio in Ventura allows him to "really explore his ideas and focus on the individual needs of clients." His website is kevinparks.com.

Parks looks forward to attending the 2008 Festival, as has been an annual tradition in his household. This time, he will be the featured artisan signing his posters in the souvenir booth during select times throughout the weekend.

The Studio Gallery in Channel Islands Harbor will be selling Parks' collector Festival poster in advance of the California Strawberry Festival. The location at 2741 South Victoria Avenue, Oxnard 805/ 985-1546 also showcases all the Festival posters since the event premiered in 1984. A collection of Festival posters throughout the decades is available by clicking here.

Youth Art Contest:
In what has become a much-anticipated annual tradition among local schools, the contest attracts hundreds of artistic entries from K-6th grade students from 70+ teachers in 23 elementary schools in the Oxnard, Hueneme, and Rio school districts. Reaching out to youths through the educational system, the contest encourages art activities and study plans that highlight the local strawberry industry and the Festival that has become a nationally recognized source of pride within the community. All participants receive complimentary tickets to the Festival for taking part in the contest. A tradition of friendly classroom competition between schools bolsters the cache of quality submissions. The winning student receives the honor of a special field trip activity for the class in their honor and wins tickets to the Festival for his/her entire family where they will find their talented child's artwork proudly displayed. The original works from winners in each grade level will proudly be on display at Yolandas Mexican Restaurant in Oxnard once the selections are made in April. The announcement garners the attention of local press.

Funding:
"We've always been about bringing people together to have fun while doing something positive to impact lives," says Festival Manager Bonnie Weigel. The Festival boasts as bountiful a harvest as its homeland Ventura County berry crop. Over the past three decades, the celebration has earned ranking among the nation's top outdoor Festivals, with close to $2 million benefiting 20-plus southland charities, while annual scholarships for children of field workers range in the multiple thousands, a $25,000 endowment scholarship at California State University Channel Islands is completely funded and stipends for services along with Capital Club annual membership, offer involvement for individuals and businesses large and small. Any reserve funds available after securing the operational budget for the next Festival are returned to the community - an additional $50,000 in grants was awarded to 23 charitable groups from the 2005 celebration.