Courtesy photo.
VENTURA — It was March 3, 2020 when the winner of the year’s California Strawberry Festival poster contest was officially announced. Sixteen days later, the festival was canceled because of the pandemic. Finally, after three years, artist Kimberly Duran’s winning poster will be the center point of the festival set for May 20 and 21 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001).
“We’ve been waiting to show off Kimberly’s design for three years,” says Dean Kato, festival chairperson. “She’s a gifted artist and her design captures the wonderful community spirit that’s always present at the festival.” Duran’s artwork was chosen from more than 60 entries.
Duran is a Chicana muralist based out of Santa Ana, Calif. She is co-founder of the mural team, The Heavy, with artist Bud Herrera. Her work is on display throughout Southern California to Mexico City. Duran’s poster combines a message of love with her love of strawberries (which she eats every morning). She says the shape of a strawberry reminds her of a heart. “Spreading love one strawberry at a time,” Duran explains.
The 37th Annual California Strawberry Festival will feature more than 50 food and beverage booths, most with a strawberry dish or drink, live entertainment, Strawberryland fun zone, Ninja Nation obstacle course, build-your-own strawberry shortcake and over 150 arts and crafts booths. Local growers will be selling these vine-ripened strawberries at the festival in baskets and flats.
General admission is $15, active military and family with ID and seniors 62 and over, $10, youth ages 5 to 12, $8 and children four and under are free. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days.
A limited amount of parking is available onsite for $20 per vehicle. Free shuttles will run every 15 minutes from locations in Oxnard and Ventura. The Ventura Amtrak Station is onsite for out-of-area visitors. For parking options, go to https://castrawberryfestival.org/getting-here/free-shuttle-service.
To learn more, go to www.CAStrawberryFestival.org, email info@castrawberryfestival.org or follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram.