WATSONVILLE — The annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival will be held Aug. 5 and 6 downtown.
Now in its 23rd year, the popular event celebrates the Pajaro Valley’s largest and most vital crop with two days of food and drink, plus a variety of artisan and commercial vendors, live music, contests and a carnival.
“This festival puts our little town on the map every years,” said event coordinator Israel Tirado.
The first occurrence of the Strawberry Festival was in 1995. First called the Strawberry Desserts Festival, it was created as a way to help the city recover from the devastating 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Today, local organizations and nonprofit groups use the Strawberry Festival as a way to connect with their community and raise funds and awareness of their work.
Tirado, who grew up attending the festival, said the event is not only a way to celebrate the fruit and its industry, but also the individuals who help make it all happen.
“People are out there breaking their backs to put this food on our tables,” he said. “We want to make sure everyone gets recognition.”
According to Tirado, this is the main reason why the event’s admission has remained free.
“Leaving the festival open to the public is important,” he said. “And being downtown, where many local people can walk here or only have to drive a small distance. We want it to be accessible to everyone.”
The festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days.
This year, organizers are hoping to expand the further onto the north end of Main Street. The Cultural Stage, introduced last year to positive response, will be returning with 10 local performers, in addition to the Main Stage headliners. Plans are in motion to utilize downtown’s new street medians as a way to expand decoration as well.
Throughout both days, the California Strawberry Commission, the state government agency headquartered in Watsonville, will be on hand at the festival, providing information about every aspect of the crop and how it benefits the Pajaro Valley.
The annual carnival may also be getting an upgrade this year. Contractors are thinking of bringing in additional rides to cater toward the older, more thrill-seeking crowd.
“People gather at the festival who wouldn’t normally see each other,” Tirado said. “It’s all about that small town charm, about creating community.”
For information, visit celebratestrawberries.com or call (831) 768-3240.
