When is the California Strawberry Festival?
How can I get there?
What is the ticket price? Click Here to Purchase Online
What’s happening there that I just shouldn’t miss?
Where does the money earned from the Festival go?
Why can’t I bring my pet?
Any rules or special tips I should be aware of before I head out the door?
Is the Festival handicapped accessible?
Is it true that the California Strawberry Festival is one of the top events in the nation?
How do I become involved with the Festival with my services?
The Festival always takes place on the third weekend in May. In 2008 the Festival is Saturday and Sunday,
May 17th and 18th. More info at (toll free) 1-888-288-9242
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The Festival takes place at Strawberry Meadows of College Park (3250
South Rose Avenue) in Oxnard, just 60 miles north of Los Angeles and
30 miles south of Santa Barbara -- easily accessible via the Ventura
Freeway (101) and Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Roadside signs mark
appropriate exits and parking on site is FREE. Save gas and time by
using the preferred FREE Park & Ride “Strawberry
Express” shuttle
service. A partnership with Amtrak also offers additional
trains and a special kids ride free program with arrival/departure
at the Oxnard Transportation Center where the FREE Strawberry Express
transports to/from the Festival site. (Call 1-800-USA-RAIL or click
here for a link)
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Proceeds generated benefit the extended Ventura County community. Admission
is $12 for adults, $5 for youths (5-12), $8 for seniors (63+) and active
military and dependents with ID. Children 4 and under are free. Cash only
accepted for admission, no checks please. Once inside, cash
only for food booths. ATM tellers are conveniently located within the
Festival grounds.
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With something for everybody the Festival offers all-day live entertainment on two stages, the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales on Parade, a special Strawberryland For Kids with free rides/attractions and the Jest N'Time Theatre with puppet shows, clowns and magic, the Strawberry Promenade with the Berry Blast Off Cooking Contest and Strawberry Trivia Contest, demonstrations and presentations, and the "Life of the Strawberry" exhibit, and more. For in your face activities there's the gooey Tart Toss, Strawberry Stomp, and Strawberry Pie Eating Contest. More than 50 food booths offer an array of tasty treats (proceeds benefit charities) and you can create to your hearts delight at the "Build Your Own" Strawberry Shortcake Tent. The Festival also boasts an award-winning Fine Arts & Crafts showcase with more than 300 booths, the Star Berry Hunt, a climbing wall, strolling performers, and lots more fun!
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With a mission of benefiting the community and honoring our agricultural
heritage, the California Strawberry Festival is a non-profit 501©(3)
organization run by an all-volunteer board. Since it's inception
25 years ago, the Festival has raised more than $3 million for various
official charitable organizations (Southland schools, religious groups,
civic and youth organizations) Affiliated non-profit organizations garner
100 percent of their proceeds from food booth sales during the weekend
event, while stipends are awarded to 30 service groups that provide much
needed on-site assistance. Following the celebration, Festival contest
awards, scholarships and philanthropic grants extend the contributions
far beyond the weekend event to impact thousands of live
Click Here for Official Non-Profit Groups
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We all love our pets, however for the safety of your pet and others,
the Festival does not permit animals other than service dogs on the
premises. We appreciate your compliance.
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For the safety of yourself and others, and to keep walkways free of obstacles
there are no bicycles, tables and chairs or coolers permitted on Festival
grounds. Ample seating is available. In compliance with guidelines of
the Ventura County Health department, no non-Festival food and drinks
are permitted within the Festival grounds. Also, your food purchase helps
raise money for local charities! Respectful of the artisans showcasing
their original works, no photography of Fine Arts & Crafts please.
Strollers are permitted but sometimes present challenges when navigating
through the park area with grass, wood chips, and dirt pathways.
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Yes, although please keep in mind the Festival is located within a parkland
setting with grass, wood chips and dirt pathways, there are ramps designated
to allow all Festival guests access to all areas. Handicap portable
restrooms are available and there is designated FREE preferred location
handicapped parking.
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After over two decades the Festival now ranks among the nation’s top
outdoor Festivals.
- *Featured in Discover America’s 2006
Calendar of top 200 USA Events, available in all bookstores.
- *Westways Magazine hails it as “The
Perfect Summer Kick Off.”
- *LA Parent Magazine’s reader poll has voted
it “Favorite Family Festival” for three years in a row.
- *Recognized by the Library of Congress for
it’s extensive
community programs benefiting education, arts and children.
- *The International Festivals & Events Association analysis from 2002
recognized the event’s economic impact to the community was $7,492,375
from just the weekend alone.
- *With the Festival taking the initiative
by introducing a recycling campaign in 2004, a new state law now
requires special events at venues to implement recycling programs
to help “keep
it green.”
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We are no longer accepting applications for any type of
vendor space, sponsor space, information booths or entertainers. Please contact the Festival office in September 2008 for information on these categories.
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