A Berry Good Time

By Dave Shultz

What’s heart shaped, red and adored by everyone?  Well, if you happen to be in California in May, it could only be strawberries.  The California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard is held every May at Oxnard College.

Southern California takes its strawberries very seriously.  The two-day festival drew a record 89,500 people this year.  Oxnard bills itself as the ‘Strawberry Capital of California’ and it certainly looked that way at the 75-acre park called Strawberry Meadows.  Huge eucalyptus trees rustled in the cool ocean breeze and towered over the vendor booths and entertainment stages as everyone gathered to celebrate the strawberry.  Everything was decorated in strawberries and it seems most visitors took pride in wearing their best strawberry t-shirts, jewelry and hats.

You probably would be prepared for strawberry shortcake, strawberry jam, strawberry tarts and even strawberries dipped in chocolate but that was just the beginning.   If you could put strawberries in it or on it, someone did.  The crowds’ favorite had to be the strawberry pizza booth operated by the Rio Mesa High School to support their athletic department.  They won the Booth Decorating Contest for the second year in a row and always had a line waiting for this delightful dessert pizza topped with strawberries, sour cream, cream cheese and whipped cream on a sweet bread baked like a pizza.  Also popular was strawberry kabobs dipped in powdered sugar.  Heaven on a stick.  You could wash it all down with strawberry wine, beer or a strawberry smoothie for the less adventurous.  By the way, strawberries are fat free and 8 medium berries provide 140% of the daily-recommended Vitamin C.  That’s more than an orange.  Keep telling yourself that when you order your second slice of strawberry pizza.

This year, Strawberryland for Kids was bigger than ever.  There were rides for all ages and the popular (and messy) Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest.  Only slightly less messy was the Tart Toss that was designed to get more on you than in you.  “This is a family oriented event”. Says Don DeArmond, the Chairman of the California Strawberry Festival.  “We want you to come out with your kids.  We have Strawberryland for the kids and that’s where our pride is.  We really push bringing families out and we have something to offer for the whole family”.  One of the three stages with non-stop entertainment was in Strawberryland and while an accurate count wasn’t possible, there were probably more adults in attendance than kids as a delightful couple billed as ‘Jest in Time’ entertained with juggling and jokes.

Strawberryland both entertained and educated.  An interactive firehouse run by the local fire department teaches fire safety to all ages.  Next to that was the petting zoo where kids could meet baby farm animals face to face.  Lots of kids got involved in making their own crafts including candles and even strawberry hats made from old newspapers that they painted themselves.  Very popular was the face and hair painting done with airbrush.  One young man opted for lime green hair with black polka dots.  A true fashion statement!

The other two stages included performers like Taylor Dayne, a powerful rhythm and blues female vocalist, Tierra with a hot salsa beat you couldn’t sit still to, Jack Mack and the Heart Attacks with their big horn sound and the rhythm and blues of Rita Coolage.  Country, pop, jazz, soul, reggae; there was something for everyone all day long.

Lest you think this is strictly an orgy of strawberries, the festival includes a Fine Arts & Crafts Show with over 350 booths.  Original works included jewelry, clothing, sculptures, ceramics, photography, painting, wood, leather and more.  This is a juried art show and is ranked among the country’s top 100 traditional/folk craft events.  The artists are exceptional and the prices very reasonable.  Save enough money for one of the original design t-shirts commemorating the festival.  Several designs were available including a young girl in a pink dress and sun hat picking strawberries (also featured on this years poster), a gumball machine filled with strawberries and an antique Chevy convertible driving through strawberry fields.

The coastal weather in Oxnard is perfect for raising strawberries and the harvest in Ventura County is more than 15,900,000 trays annually.  The California strawberries are about 80% of the United States supply and are shipped to Germany and Japan as well.  Of course, the coastal weather is perfect for people too.  The daily high fluctuates between 65 and 80 degrees year round with those being the extremes.  Perfect for a day of fun at the festival but bring your hat, the sun shines all day long.

Strawberry growing season in California runs from January through November but peak season is April, May and June.  During peak season, about 60 million pint baskets are picked every week.  You can be sure the strawberries at the festival are fresh picked. 

The Strawberry Festival organizers also recognize the importance of Community support and they work closely with numerous charities.  Proceeds from food sales benefit close to 30 local non-profit charities.  Last year, more than $200,000 was raised to assist these special organizations. 

The festival is 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara and accessible off the Ventura Freeway (Hwy. 101) and the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy. 1).  Ticket prices are $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for children ages 2-12 and seniors over 55.  Children under two are free.  Parking is also free which is pretty surprising at an event this size so bring then entire family and be prepared to O.D. on strawberries.

Contact Information

California Strawberry Festival
1621 Pacific Avenue, #127
Oxnard, California 93033
(805) 385-7578
(888) 288-9242 Information Line
http://www.strawberry-fest.org

For Strawberry Recipes, Contact:
California Strawberry Recipes /RB
P.O. Box 269
Watsonville, California 95077
(408) 724-1301

To listen to a recorded interview with Don DeArmond, the Chairman of the California Strawberry Festival, click the link on Don's name.  You will need Real Audio player installed.  If you don't have it, click on the free player button to install it.

 

Updated 4-4-00

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