Don’t miss Strawberry Festival this weekend in Oxnard

Everything’s coming up strawberries—and more strawberries—at this weekend’s 20th anniversary edition of the California Strawberry Festival, which will run from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., May 17 and 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sun., May 18 at Strawberry Meadows of College Park, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard.

The event will include an array of strawberry foods (from kabobs to pizza and strawberries shortcaked, dipped, glazed and powdered) plus live musical entertainment by Juice Newton, Beatlemania and the Sounds of the Supremes as well as ska, blues, New Wave, jazz, Latin funk, Broadway musical, Zydeco and more. Violinist Malcolm Watson, Celtic/Folk harpist Aryeh Frankfurter and instrumental artist Mehdi (electronic music and percussion) will add their diverse musical touches to the festival grounds.

For the younger set there is Strawberryland for Kids with puppet shows, vaudevillian-style comedy, juggling and magic acts at the "Jest in Time" Theatre plus rides and interactive attractions.

The adventuresome won’t want to miss contests such as the tart toss, strawberry eating contest and triple fun relay. Of course, field-fresh berries by the flat or pint and strawberry potted plants will be available for purchase. The festival pays tribute to the tiny plump red fruit reaped from Oxnard’s 6,600-acres planted in strawberries.

Rounding out the fun will be food booths and a fine arts and crafts showcase featuring more than 300 artists.

Admission is $9 adults, $5 ages 5-12, seniors 55 and over and active military personnel with ID card. Children age four and under admitted free. For more information, call (888) 288-9242 or visit the Website at www.strawberry-fest.org. Proceeds from the festival directly benefit more than 25 Ventura County nonprofit organizations.