Strawberry Festival Opens Today in Oxnard

After nearly two decades of helping Oxnard celebrate the strawberry, Don DeArmond thinks he has seen it all.

The chairman of the California Strawberry Festival has enjoyed strawberry pizza (with cream cheese on a pastry crust); the strawberry projectile (pastries hurled through the air during a tart-throwing contest); and, perhaps the festival’s most popular treat, the strawberry funnel cake, (deep-fried and dripping with whipped cream).

“People just love it,” DeArmond said. “When we close at 6:30, we still have people in line wanting to get their funnel cake.”

As the 17th annual festival kicks off this morning at Oxnard’s College Park, residents are whetting their appetites for yet another two-day tribute to the Oxnard Plain’s biggest crop.

Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 6:30 p.m. today and Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults, $5 for seniors and children ages 5-12 and free for children under 5. Parking is free.

The festival, the largest of its kind in the state, has gained fame for its unusual strawberry treats, but also features a 330-booth craft show and live entertainment. Last year’s event attracted a record 89,500 strawberry fans. And, with sunny skies and warm temperatures expected through the weekend, organizers hope to exceed that mark this year.

“It seems to get more popular every year,” DeArmond said. “We draw people from as far away as Lancaster and out in the desert area.”

Forecasts today and Sunday call for highs around 80 degrees, with morning clouds and fog expected to burn off by 11 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The entertainment lineup includes Starship and the Fabulous Thunderbirds on Saturday and the Association and Los Lobos on Sunday.

A craft show will include everything from inexpensive children’s toys to sculptures and paintings that cost thousands of dollars, said coordinator Judy Cunningham. Photography, homemade hammocks, clothing, quilts and other items will also be displayed.

Children’s attractions include rides, petting goats and stage shows in Strawberryland, the festival’s kids area.

Among the other events will be a Frisbee-catching contest for dogs, a shortcake-eating contest and a build-your-own strawberry shortcake activity.

Visitors who want to know more about strawberries can ask at the California Strawberry Commission information booth. And those who just can’t get enough strawberries can buy them to take home from local vendors.

Oxnard is one of the largest strawberry producers in the state, with about 6,000 acres planted.

“Most people love strawberries,” DeArmond said. “It’s seasonal. It comes and goes. That’s the excitement. It’s not year-around.”

Schedule of Events

TODAY

Dr. Kato Stage

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10:45-11:45 a.m. Uncle Monkey, beach party 12:10-1:30 p.m. Blowin Smoke, 13-piece blues, R & B 2-3:15 p.m. Starship 3:45-5 p.m. The Fabulous Thunderbirds

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Festival Stage

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10:30-11:30 a.m. Euphoria, six-piece electric band 11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m. Bob Malone, R & B, blues 1:10-2:10 p.m. Acadiana, Cajun and Zydeco 2:30-3:30 p.m. The Long Run, Eagles tribute 3:50-5 p.m. Bob’s Yer Uncle, R & B

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Strawberry Contests

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Noon-1 p.m. Strawberry Tart Toss 2-3 p.m. Strawberry Relay 3:30-4:30 p.m. Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest

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Strawberryland for Kids

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10-11 a.m. Grateful Ted & Lisa musical presentation 11-11:45 a.m. Jest in Time clown performers to police 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Wonderworld Puppets 12:15-1:15 p.m. Fun 4 Everyone Magic 1:15-1:45 p.m. Wonderworld Puppets 1:45-2:45 p.m. Fun 4 Everyone Magic 2:45-3:30 p.m. Jest in Time clown performers 3:30-4 p.m. Wonderworld Puppets 4-5 p.m. Jest in Time clown performers 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Frisbee Championships for dogs

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SUNDAY

Dr. Kato Stage

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11 a.m.-noon Garret Wilkins & the Parrot Heads, Jimmy Buffet tribute 12:30-1:30 p.m. Otis Day & the Knights, R & B 2-3 p.m. The Association 3:30-5:30 p.m. Los Lobos

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Festival Stage

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10:30-11:30 a.m. Chocolatin, Latin R & B 11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m. Caught Red Handed, country 1:10-2:10 p.m. Teresa Russell & Cocobilli, blues / rock trio 2:30-3:30 p.m. Batista, Santana tribute 3:50-5 p.m. Papa Nata, ska / funk / reggae

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Strawberry Contests

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1-2 p.m. Strawberry Tart Toss 2:15-3:15 p.m. Strawberry Relay 3:30-4:30 p.m. Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest

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Strawberryland for Kids

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10-11 a.m. Grateful Ted & Lisa musical presentation 11-11:45 a.m. Jest in Time clown performers 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Wonderworld Puppets 12:15-1:15 p.m. Fun 4 Everyone Magic 1:15-1:45 p.m. Wonderworld Puppets 1:45-2:45 p.m. Fun 4 Everyone Magic 2:45-3:30 p.m. Jest in Time clown performers 3:30-4 p.m. Wonderworld Puppets 4-5 p.m. Jest in Time clown performers 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Canine Frisbee expositions and training clinics

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