Thousands of people filled downtown Watsonville Saturday on day two of the three-day Strawberry Festival.
As the fog broke apart and blue sky took over, people were treated to live music, scads of strawberry-theme food and drinks, carnival rides, arts and crafts, an open-air beer garden and a wealth of stands offering jewelry, clothing, artworks, household goods, Mexican artifacts, textiles and more.
“It’s so nice to see people out enjoying themselves,” said Marty Strickland, owner of FRuit FRTiz Smoothies.
Strickland’s business opened 40 years ago and operated a permanent location in Watsonville Square 25 years ago.
“I love doing the festivals,” he said. “We used to do Reno and LA — all over the place. People love us and we are here for them.”
Kim Vestal drove from the Santa Cruz Mountains with her daughter, Hannah Bowers and friend Katie Cole to her hometown to get a taste of the Strawberry Festival.
“It feels good to be back home,” the Watsonville native said. “The festival looks absolutely amazing.” Vestal’s father, Sam Vestal, was the photographer for the Register-Pajaronian from the 1950s into the ‘80s.
Former Watsonville HIgh principal Murry Schekman said he walked to the event from his home.
“It looks great and well laid out,” he said as he made his way across the crowded plaza with the live music of Los Gallos de Cali filling the air. “I’ve been coming to this for many years. Everybody is having a good time.”
