The 23rd annual California Strawberry Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sat. and Sun., May 20 and 21 at Strawberry Meadows of College Park, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard.

Featured attractions include an array of strawberry foods, the new Strawberry Promenade, live concerts, "Strawberryland For Kids" fun zone, the Strawberry Hill climbing wall and Strawberry Thrill b u n g e e j u m p , g o o e y c o n t e s t s , and a fine arts and crafts showcase with more than 300 artisans.

Proceeds from the event will benefit more than 15 Southland charities.

General admission is $12, $8 for seniors 63 and up and $5 for children ages 5 to 12. Ages four and under are admitted free. Active military and dependents with ID pay $8.

Tasty berry delicacies will abound at the festival, from kabobs to pizza and even strawberry beer. Strawberries "shortcaked," chocolate dipped, glazed and powdered, will be available from 50 food and beverage booths. Field-fresh berries by the flat or pint and strawberry potted plants are among the take-home items.

The adventuresome will meet their match at the tart toss, strawberry shortcake eating contest, or triple fun relay, open to all ages.

Presented by the all-volunteer executive board of the California Strawberry Festival, a nonprofit corporation, the festival began in 1984 to pay homage to the r e g i o n ' s $ 2 3 0

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nonprofit org a n i z a t i o n s garner 100 percent of their proceeds from food both sales during the weekend event, while stipends are awarded to 30 service groups that provide much needed onsite assistance.

Festival contest awards, scholarships and philanthropic grants extend the contributions beyond the weekend event. To date, close to $2 million has benefited the extended community through charitable efforts.

The festival site is adjacent to Oxnard College and parking is free. There is also a free Park and Ride "Strawberry Express" shuttle from locations off the 101 freeway: Camarillo Premium Outlets, Topa Financial Plaza, Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard Transportation Center and Centerpoint Mall.

A partnership with Amtrak provides transportation and a children ride free program for the weekend. Shuttles meet trains at the Oxnard Transportation Center stop.

For information, call (888) 2889242 or visit the official website at www.strawberry-fest.org.