THE FROG-HOPPER kids’ ride is one of many attractions at the Strawberry Festival, coming to Garden Grove May 25-28.

The 60th Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for the community.  This year’s theme is “Celebrating 60 Years of Fun and Funding Charities.”

In 2017 festival profits donated to the community totaled $394.000.    Of that, $150,000 was donated for capital expenses to thirteen non-profit groups.   In addition, eight $1,000 scholarships were given to students in Garden Grove School District high schools.  The festival also provided $6,000 to transport student bands enabling them to participate in the festival’s Saturday parade.  In addition, a dozen non-profit groups who set up festival food booths collectively raised over $150,000 more for their charities.   And annually, the festival treats over 2,000 special needs kids to a day of free rides and food.  This annual event has brought in over $6.5 million for local charities since its inception in 1958.

The festival will be held Memorial Day Weekend Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28. Friday hours are 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Admission is free. Special one-price ride-all-day wristbands will be offered for all festival days at $30 per wristband on Friday and $35 each on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Tickets for individual rides can also be purchased separately at $1 per ticket.

The four-day event, which is the second largest city festival in the Western United States, will be held at the Village Green between Main Street and Euclid Street in downtown Garden Grove. Last year’s attendance was over 300,000.

Highlights include the Friday evening official giant strawberry cake cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Showmobile (Acacia Parkway and Main Street) when free cake is served to over 2,000 people.  Saturday morning begins with a 5K Run followed by an 8 a.m. VIP celebrity breakfast at the Garden Grove Community Meeting Center, with proceeds going to We Give Thanks. Next is a parade at 10 a.m. with floats, bands, equestrians and characters.  Many film and TV celebrities will be honored in the parade.

All four festival days will include 35 carnival rides, 5 contests, over 200 food and sales booths, games, music and live entertainment in the amphitheater and Showmobile.  Contests, held in the festival’s 550-seat amphitheater, include the Berry, Berry Beautiful Baby Contest, Redhead Roundup, Strawberry Idol Karaoke, and Tiny Tots King and Queen.

For additional information, call (714) 638-0981 or visit www.strawberryfestival.org.   # # #