Courtesy image.
VENTURA — Artisans from California and beyond will display their creations at the 39th Annual California Strawberry Festival, May 17 and 18 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001).
While strawberry-themed foods and beverages are a big draw for the nearly 50,000 people who attend each year, the festival is well-known for unique handcrafted works by artists and crafters. Over 150 artisans showcase their original items including paintings, ceramics, children’s toys, wearables, photography, outdoor furniture, jewelry and specialty foods. Many incorporate strawberries into their creations.
“For many festivalgoers, their first stop is the arts and crafts booths to see what’s new,” says Dana Hale-Mounier, director of Pacific Fine Arts Festivals and coordinator of the festival’s arts and craft booths. “Meeting the artists at the festival makes the experience special. You learn about their inspiration and the creation process and appreciate what goes into every item.”
At the California Balsamic booth, festivalgoers will find bottles of Strawberry Blonde and Summertime Splash balsamic lines. “We custom infuse a wide range of flavored balsamic at our facility in Northern California. The balsamic is originally imported from Modena, Italy and we simply add our own blend of flavors to the thick, rich and sweet vinegar,” says owner Thomas Allen, who bought the balsamic company in 1996 after working at Osaka Culinary Academy in Japan as an instructor. “When we were trying to come up with a flavor that would go good in a summer salad, we grabbed our lemon oil and blended it with our strawberry balsamic and Summertime Splash was born.”
Candle Tales’ owner Adrienne You gives her handmade candle designs a fun, aesthetic twist. “For inspiration, I usually incorporate seasonal or themed elements while adding a personal connection inspired by my own stories, memories and experiences. And, I try to match the scents to the designs,” says You. Her candle designs include those that resemble food and drinks (strawberry dessert and drinks included, of course) and many others.
The California Strawberry Festival features more than 50 food and beverage booths, many with a strawberry dish or drink made from fresh strawberries. Other attractions include live entertainment on multiple stages, Strawberryland for Kids, carnival rides and a $7 “build-your-own” Strawberry Shortcake Experience.
Festival general admission is $15, active military with ID and family and seniors 62 and over, $10, youth ages 5 to 12, $8, and children 4 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.CAStrawberryFestival.org or upon entry to the festival.
Festivalgoers are encouraged to use the free shuttles, which will run every 15 minutes to the festival from nearby locations in Oxnard and Ventura. Metrolink and Amtrak’s Surfliner make regular stops throughout the festival weekend with discounted fares. The train station is located steps from the fairgrounds.
For more about the festival visit www.castrawberryfestival.org or follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram