The 34th Annual California Strawberry Festival kicks off Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21, 2017 on the newly expanded acreage at Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard from 10am to 6:30pm. Oxnard College Park is located at 3250 South Rose Avenue, Oxnard.
ADULT GIVEAWAY:Â ENTER TO WIN 4 TICKETS TO THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVALÂ (Enter between May 7-14, 2017)
KIDS CAN ENTER THE COLORING CONTEST: Download the Coloring Page and email to SharonR@MacaroniKid.com by May 14, 2017 at 12am PST to win a pair of tickets.
Ranked nationwide among the top outdoor Festivals, the fruity fete boasts lip-smacking strawberries every way imaginable with live concerts on multiple stages, more than 200 Fine Arts & Crafts booths.â The California Strawberry Festival general admission is $12, seniors 62+ and active military are $8, and youths ages 5-12 are $5. Kids 4 and under are free.
The Strawberry Promenade with celebrity cooking demonstrations, Strawberryland For Kids with rides and attractions, gooey contests, and more. Strawberry pizza alongside a strawberry beer, strawberry nachos, strawberry funnel cake, strawberry crepes, chocolate dipped strawberries, fried strawberries, and strawberry smoothies are just a sampling of the delicacies at the festival.
Strawberry Promenade Events/Contest (Events take place Saturday/Sunday unless noted)
BOTH DAYS - 11:00am-1:00pm - Childrenâs Berry Time: Strawberry-themed activities for youngsters. Big Brothers Big Sisters hosts a story time reading of âThe Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bearâ and concludes with a special guest appearance. Immediately following, Girl Scout Troop #65202 hosts a crafts carnival where kids can design their own strawberry-themed arts & crafts. Free activity packs will be provided to all participants.
SATURDAY - 1:00pm â 2:30pm  Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest Championship: Thereâs no holding back when two finalists go head-to-head in a timed âIron Chefâ style culinary quest to prepare the ultimate strawberry dish as they vie for top honors and the coveted grand prize vacation getaway. Presented by the Ventura County Star.
SUNDAY - 1:00pm-2:30pm Strawberry Smackdown: Two chefs compete against one another and the clock in a thrilling contest where they must create a sensational strawberry dish utilizing key ingredients they only discover once the challenge begins. Presented by Gold Coast Broadcasting.
BOTH DAYS - 3:00pm-4:00pm - Berry Best Hat Contest: Fashionistas showcase the ultimate in wearable berry bling. Cheer on contestants with the most outlandish and extraordinary berry bonnet. Hosted by Ms. Regional California America Kristen Routh, the event is presented by Players Casino. (see contest section if youâd like to participate)
BOTH DAYS - 4:00pm-5:00pm - Celebrity Chef: Sweet Arleenâs Berry Treats: Julia Maria Sanchez San Bartolome of Sweet Arleenâs â three-time champion of Food Networkâs Cupcake Wars and featured on Cooking Channelâs Unique Sweets as a bread pudding favorite â shares her love of baking with the finest ingredients and indulges us with sweet treats with a signature strawberry flair.
BOTH DAYS - 5:00-6:00pm - FrĂźliâs Festival Fun Facts Contest: Fun is brewing when FrĂźli, the Festivalâs Exclusive Strawberry Beer, hosts a lively forum with an interactive quiz to test your strawberry knowledge. Prizes awarded to participants and all ages welcome. Presented by FrĂźli Premium Strawberry Beer.
SUNDAY - 6:00pm-6:30pm - Chillax Lounge: Get your groove on dancing or relaxing to our âberryâ funky music from the 70s.
SATURDAY - 1:00pm â 2:30pm  Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest Championship: Thereâs no holding back when two finalists go head-to-head in a timed âIron Chefâ style culinary quest to prepare the ultimate strawberry dish as they vie for top honors and the coveted grand prize vacation getaway. Presented by the Ventura County Star.
SUNDAY - 1:00pm-2:30pm Strawberry Smackdown: Two chefs compete against one another and the clock in a thrilling contest where they must create a sensational strawberry dish utilizing key ingredients they only discover once the challenge begins. Presented by Gold Coast Broadcasting.
BOTH DAYS - 3:00pm-4:00pm - Berry Best Hat Contest: Fashionistas showcase the ultimate in wearable berry bling. Cheer on contestants with the most outlandish and extraordinary berry bonnet. Hosted by Ms. Regional California America Kristen Routh, the event is presented by Players Casino. (see contest section if youâd like to participate)
BOTH DAYS - 4:00pm-5:00pm - Celebrity Chef: Sweet Arleenâs Berry Treats: Julia Maria Sanchez San Bartolome of Sweet Arleenâs â three-time champion of Food Networkâs Cupcake Wars and featured on Cooking Channelâs Unique Sweets as a bread pudding favorite â shares her love of baking with the finest ingredients and indulges us with sweet treats with a signature strawberry flair.
BOTH DAYS - 5:00-6:00pm - FrĂźliâs Festival Fun Facts Contest: Fun is brewing when FrĂźli, the Festivalâs Exclusive Strawberry Beer, hosts a lively forum with an interactive quiz to test your strawberry knowledge. Prizes awarded to participants and all ages welcome. Presented by FrĂźli Premium Strawberry Beer.
SUNDAY - 6:00pm-6:30pm - Chillax Lounge: Get your groove on dancing or relaxing to our âberryâ funky music from the 70s.
Strawberry Festival Contests (Both Days )
- Strawberry Tart Toss 11:00am and 2:30pm: Â Ready set goooooo! Take aim for in your face fun.
- Strawberry Pie Eating 1:00pm and 4:00pm: Â A timed challenge you can really sink your teeth into. Devour every last bite of strawberry pie, sans utensils. Available to contestants 13 years of age or older.
- Berry Best Hat Contest Presented by Players Casino: 3:00pm at the Strawberry Promenade Create your own berry bonnet that puts the Kentucky Derby to shame and parade your strawberry style for the judges. Sign up at the Strawberry Promenade 30 minutes prior. Must be at least 15 years of age.
- Berry Best Dressed Baby Contest Presented by Smart & Final: 3:30pm at the Strawberryland Kids Theatre Open to infants up to four years of age. Youngsters, with the help of their parents, parade across the stage to garner âoohs and aahsâ from the crowd. All participants receive recognition. Sign up at the Strawberryland Kids Theatre 30 minutes prior.
- Strawberry Relay 5:00pm: You and a teammate go through a series of obstacles to assemble and then consume, a strawberry dish in record time.
âThis year weâre enhancing the Festival experience with a 50% expansion of the Festival grounds,â says California Strawberry Festival Chairperson Kim Gibas. âAs volunteers, we work year round to produce a first class event. Weâre excited because the added acreage and new footprint gives us the opportunity to double the fun.âÂ
TWO STAGES: Entertainment Lineup:Â
Stage 1: FESTIVAL STAGE, Presented by FrĂźli Strawberry Beer
SATURDAY, MAY 20
- 10:00am DJ RICK ROCK (Pop, Classics, Soul, Rock)
- 12:00pm ALLSTARS OF FUNK (R&B Classics)
- 2:10pm HIGHWAY STARR (Southern Californiaâs Premier Rockin Modern Country Band)\
- 4:15pm ATOMIC PUNKS (The Van Halen Experience, Rock)
- 11:00am BERRY BATTLE OF THE BANDS WINNER, courtesy of Cumulus Media
- 12:15pm HOLLYWOOD U2 (U2 Tribute Band)
- 2:10pm THE RADIO REBELS (80s & 90s, Pop, Alternative Rock and Dance Music)
- 4:15pm EVERYDAY PEOPLE (R&B Classics, A Neo Sly Experience)
SATURDAY, MAY 20
- 12:00pm THE UNTOUCHABLES (80s Ska, Soul, Reggae, Pop)
- 2:15pm DIRTY RICE (Reggae)
- 4:15pm MISSING PERSONS (80s Pop, Alternative Rock)
- 12:00pm PRIZMATIC (The Katy Perry Experience)
- 2:15pm THE SELENA TRIBUTE (Featuring Evelyn Molina and Los Chicos del 512)
- 4:15pm DEAD MANâS PARTY (Boingo/Danny Elfman Tribute)
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**Macaroni Kid will be hosting a booth at the Strawberry Festival on Sunday and this contest is being sponsored by the California Strawberry Festival.
