Events and Attractions

Fielding the best in entertainment and hand’s-on fun for you, there’s something everyone can enjoy at our celebration.

Contest Area

Presented by Coca-Cola

Strawberry Tart Toss

11:00am and 2:30pm daily Ready set goooooooo!!! In your face fun at the Contest Area. Sign up 30 minutes prior to each event, entry fee $1.

Strawberry Pie Eating

1:00pm and 4:00pm daily
A timed challenge you can really sink your teeth into. Contestants are challenged to devour every last bite of a yummy strawberry pie — no fork or spoon allowed.

Strawberry Relay Race

5:00pm daily
A team timed challenge where participants go through a set of obstacles to gather fixings for a strawberry dish the teammate must devour in record time.

 30th Anniversary Berry Fun Ways to Win!

Berry Best Hat Contest

(Grand Prize Vacation to Maui, Hawaii or Montego Bay, Jamaica)

Put the Kentucky Derby to shame with your own berry-creation bonnet. Attend the Festival with sensational strawberry “bling” on your crown, and you could win an exotic vacation getaway. The contest gets underway after 3:00pm with a parade on the Festival Stage. Must be 18 or older and check in by 2:00pm at the Community Connections booth.  Click here for official rules.

Berry Best Dressed Baby Contest

(Prize package: Luna Luna Copenhagen couture outfit, photography session with Toki Lee Photography, a meeting with modeling agents Zuri Model and Talent, and a $100 gift certificate for a parent’s night out at the Tierra Sur Restaurant of Herzog Wine Cellars)

For kids up to 4 years of age. Attend dressed in your most fetching berry attire. The contest parade gets underway at 3:30pm at the “Jest In Time Family Fun Stage.” Must check in by 2:30pm at the Community Connections booth.  Click here for official rules.

Berry Best Dance Contest

Presented by Coca-Cola

(Prize $500 cash prize)

Put your best foot forward and earn cash and prizes. Five teams of five have 30 minutes to learn an easy one-minute dance routine from an expert choreographer. The “dance-off” performance begins at 12:00pm daily at the Festival Stage with the crowd deciding which team wins $500. All ages can apply and there’s no limit to the fun. It’s your one-minute of fame, so start grovin’ to the beat!

Be the first to sign up and secure your opportunity. Teams will be randomly grouped. All contestants will receive two free tickets to the Festival, Coke branded merchandise, and the chance to win $100.

Send an email along with your contact phone/email (whether you are a child or adult) and which day you plan to attend to castrawfestival@gmail.com.  If selected you will receive a confirmation phone call with details. You can also sign up at the Community Connections booth by 10:30am to be on a reserve list. No age limit.   Click here for official rules.

Win trips to Hawaii and Puerto Rico, just by telling your friends about us. Visit us  facebook.com/californiastrawberryfestival for fun details.

Musical Entertainment

Serving up a medley of tunes to suit any musical taste, two stages will be jammin’ throughout the weekend with a variety of stunning concert performances.

Festival Stage

Presented by Southern California Ford Dealers

Dr. Kato Stage

Presented by Budweiser

Click to see the musical lineups.

Award-Winning Arts and Crafts

 Presented by the California Strawberry Commission

More than 250 artists and crafters from across the nation showcase their original works with a festive array of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, children’s toys, accessories, photography, textiles, outdoor furniture, jewelry, and more. The fun is in the discovery and the chance to visit with the artists and also get items personalized for that special someone. Nestled amidst the booths, youngsters will enjoy the new “Kids Interactive Berry Craft Patch” where they can make & take crafts and enter to win prizes.

Click here to see a list of this year’s participating artists.

Strawberryland for Kids

Presented by the Ventura County Star

Kids rule in this magical oasis where all activities are included in the admission price. Youngsters won’t want to miss the free rides, bungee bounce, climbing wall, berry go whirl, mini train, and more. Everyone’s berry best friend, Strawberry Shortcake is the official reigning princess of Strawberryland For Kids, greeting her pals and giving hugs to friends.

The Jest In Time Family Fun Stage

Presented by Wendy’s

Limitless laughter abounds with non-stop live performances on stage throughout the day under the tented bigtop. From jugglers and clowns to puppet and magic shows, and more. It’s also the location for the new “Berry Best Dressed Baby Contest” happening at 3:30pm where infants ages up to 4 years of age who attend dressed in festive strawberry attire can win prizes for both kids and parents. Sign-up at least one hour prior at the Community Connections booth.

Strawberry Promenade

Co-Presented by FOOD Share

Co-Presented by Wells Fargo

Jam-packed with all things berry, this tented oasis brings strawberries straight from the field to you with exhibits, celebrity cooking demonstrations and engaging presentations. Saturday, the strawberry smack down gets underway when finalists from the popular “Berry Blast Off” recipe contest prepare their dishes in a quest for the grand prize holiday cruise vacation. Ongoing festivities throughout the day add to the Festival experience.

Green Scene

Presented by NRG Energy

Offering some fun eco-wise ways to be kinder on the environment this haven for all things green boasts interactive displays that help our planet. Check out the centrally located area housing displays for FOOD Share, Coca-Cola and other green-minded organizations.
In 2004 the California Strawberry Festival received the “Waste Watch” award for its sustainable “green” event practices with recycling and operational priorities.
2012 “Green” results:
• 30,000 people took advantage of the free park ‘n’ ride shuttle to get to the Festival. • 1,769 pounds of food was donated to FOOD Share. • 7.96 tons of materials were recycled and diverted from landfills.

Kids Care Zone

Presented by El Super Markets

Located within Strawberryland For Kids and designed with parents in mind, this helpful area features a nursing station, a baby changing area and also serves as “Lost and Found” for kids and items.