The California Strawberry Festival is now in its 31^st season in Oxnard, having donated more than $4 million to charities. More than 1.5 million strawberries will be consumed during the course of the two-day event on May 17 and 18. In addition to the eats, there’s live music and tons of entertainment, plus arts and crafts, pie-eating contests, games and kiddy rides.

Plus you might just learn a thing or two. For instance, did you know that there is an average of 200 yellow seeds on a strawberry and that each individual seed is a fruit?  

Gastronomic Strawberry Madness

Where else can you find more than 50 food and beverage booths with all things strawberry? Consume chocolate-dipped, glazed and powdered strawberry kabobs, strawberry nachos, strawberry pizza, strawberry beer and strawberries with funnel cake.

Build Your Own Strawberry Shortcake

Scoop up whipped cream and pile it on with strawberries galore in the “build your own” strawberry shortcake tent. The sky is the limit. No kidding.

Free Samples on the Strawberry Promenade

Imagine Costco and Trader Joe’s samples on steroids—and all strawberries? Wander down the “strawberry promenade” for cooking demonstrations where free samples of strawberries prepared every-which-way will be plentiful.

California Strawberry Festival general admission is $12, seniors 62+ are $8 and children ages 5–12 are $5. Kids 4 and under are free. Active military and dependents with ID are $8. 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at strawberry-fest.org or 888-288-9242.