Looking for a sweet and fun-filled way to spend a weekend in May? Look no further than the California Strawberry Festival, a two-day celebration of all things strawberry held annually on the third weekend in May in Oxnard, Ventura County. This coastal town located just 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles is one of California’s biggest strawberry-growing regions, producing a whopping 36 million trays of these ruby-red delights each year, according to the California Strawberry Commission.
Food And Drinks
The festival, held at Oxnard’s College Park, draws crowds of up to 1.5 million visitors who come to enjoy the strawberries in all their delicious forms. With over 50 food vendors, 200 artists, and dozens of entertainers, there is no shortage of things to see and taste. Indulge in strawberry margaritas, chocolate-dipped strawberries, strawberry tamales, strawberry beer, strawberry nachos, strawberry pizza, and deep-fried strawberries on a stick. Those who prefer a more traditional approach can build their own strawberry shortcakes with a variety of toppings or enter the strawberry-pie-eating contest.
Fun Filled Activities
Beyond the food stalls, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy, from cooking demonstrations and live concerts to kiddie carnival rides, magic shows, and face-painting booths. Be sure not to miss some of the festival’s stand-out contests, including the Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest, a Strawberry Smackdown, and a Strawberry Baby Fashion Show, where adorable toddlers dressed as strawberries parade across the festival stage.
The festival is not just about fun and food; it also supports a good cause, with all proceeds benefiting nonprofit charities in Oxnard. To avoid entrance lines, purchase your tickets here, and make parking easy by riding the free shuttle departing from several locations near Highway 101 in Oxnard. Or a better option is to hire us as a car service for a worry free transport.
So mark your calendars for the third weekend in May and join in the strawberry-filled fun at the California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard.
