Mustang Daily Staff Report
news@mustangdaily.net
It’s strawberry season, and Central Coast residents know what that means — the 30th annual Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festival is just around the corner. The festival will take place Memorial Day Weekend on May 25 and 26. It is San Luis Obispo County’s largest free festival.
“It’s a spectacular event and a wonderful way to spend a couple days on the Central Coast,” festival coordinator Bob Lund said.
Last year, the festival brought in approximately 125,000 people, and this year, a comparable crowd is expected. Sunset Magazine named the Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festival the “Place to Be on Memorial Weekend.”
The festival is also the primary yearly fundraiser for the Arroyo Grande Village Improvement Association. The net profits from the festival fund Christmas decorations, the summer concert series and scholarship awards, among other improvement efforts, said Lund, executive director of the Arroyo Grande Village Improvement Association.
“The most important thing is that all of the net profits go back into the Village,” Lund said. “It’s also very important to know it’s a lot of fun. Entry is free. Entertainment is free.”
And strawberries are sure to be found in everything, from shortcakes to milkshakes. Approximately 15 booths will feature strawberries in fair-type foods, such as shortcakes, parfaits and ice cream, and at least five booths will sell “nothing but fresh strawberries,” Lund said.
Festival-goers will also be able to enjoy a wide range of entertainment with more than 40 acts on 11 stages. Featured acts include groups from all over the world such as Brazil, Italy and Peru, as well as local bands such as the Crisptones, Highway 1 and A Bubba Ramey.
“We try to include as much talent as possible and also try to give youth groups a break when we can,” Lund said, “It’s a matter of providing entertainment for the whole festival while giving back to the community.”
Big jazz bands from Cal Poly, Arroyo Grande High School and Nipomo High School will play at the festival.
In conjunction with the festival, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pismo Beach puts on the Strawberry Stampede, a 5K run, 5K walk and 10K run, on May 26.
“The Strawberry Stampede is almost like another vendor at the festival,” race director Ted Kapner said. “We really have no association with the Village Improvement Association, but unlike vendors who just pay their money and show up and sell whatever they’re selling, we bring people in specifically.
“A lot of people who come for the Strawberry Stampede stay for the Strawberry Festival.”
Last year, the stampede raised approximately $9,600.
“One hundred percent of the money goes back to support youth causes in San Luis Obispo,” Kapner said.
Kapner expects 600 to 700 runners this year.
“It’s a total family event,” he said. “We have complete families that show up with babies in strollers all the way up to runners in their 70’s. If you want to walk, fine and if you want to run, great, but — no matter what — it’s a great run and a fun festival.”
If the musical entertainment and Stampede race are not enough, there will be more than 300 booths, three carnival areas, street performers and camel rides.
Aryn Sanderson contributed to this staff report.