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It’s official. Summer is almost here and Cedarburg is ready to help you kick it off right with their 37th Annual Strawberry Festival.
The free, family-friendly fest presented by Summit Credit Union takes place June 22-23 offering guests the chance to enjoy live music, browse and purchase artwork and enjoy a decadent slate of strawberry-focused food and beverages.
New this year
In addition to showcasing the sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, photography and art of various media from 250 of the best artists from the Midwest, guests can also enjoy a Youth Makers’ Market featuring creations from the younger set.
Guests can also enjoy a Foxtown Brewing Heritage Meats pig roast in the expanded family-friendly Party in the Park and a Foxtown Brewing Beer Garden on the Community Center lawn.
Guests can also enjoy Blanca’s Entertainment District, a new private food truck alley on the southern end of the festival grounds.
Highlights
Among the can’t-miss highlights of the festival include foods, wine, live music, a reimagined family area and more.
Festival foods
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Strawberry-based dishes include the “Original” Strawberry Brat, Strawberry Shortcake and Strawberry Chicken Salad Wrap. There are also strawberry crepes, strawberry slushies and chocolate-covered strawberries as well as many other locally made delicacies.
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Fresh berries are back for purchase this year at one of three Festivals strawberry booths.
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The Festival Food Court will feature fest favorites like hamburgers, chicken, BBQ and roasted corn. Sweets and specialty strawberry-themed beers from local breweries will also be available.
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Guests can also attend the Sunday morning all-you-can-eat Strawberry Pancake Breakfast served by the Cedar Creek Settlement merchants on the north end of the Festival grounds from 8:00-11:00 a.m. (weather permitting). Also features live music along Cedar Creek.
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Cedar Creek Winery will feature their must-try Strawberry Blush wine, along with additional wines available throughout the festival grounds.
Live music
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The Foxtown Brewing Main Stage located behind the Festival Food Court will feature rockin’ fun bands with shaded seating. Featured bands include locals like Allison Mahal and Wonderful Bluffer. On Saturday, Boo! The Band will entertain with a fun mix of classic rock, dance music, country and more until 9 p.m. during the Festival’s extended Saturday night hours.
Party in the Park at Cedar Creek Park
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This family-friendly area located outside the festival frey has been reimagined to include 20+ retail vendors, live performances all day Saturday and Sunday, Xtreme Jump, bumper boats, zoo animals, inflatable bounce houses, a bubble artist and even a live mermaid! The area will also offer food and beverage vendors and a “Family Feeding Oasis” for the little ones needing a break from the bustling activities. Party in the Park is sponsored by Art of Joy.
The CedarQuacker 500
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Sponsored by Habitat for Humanity Ozaukee County, this event features the release of hundreds of rubber ducks into the creek. Passersby can watch them race to the finish Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m. Prizes are awarded to the winning ducks!
“Berry Big Run”
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This 5K Run/Walk sponsored by the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ozaukee County kicks off Saturday at 8 a.m. at Centennial Park and circles through the neighborhoods that surround the downtown area.
For a full list of activities and a map of the festival grounds, visit cedarburgfestival.org.
Note: Street parking is limited but there is plenty of parking at the Ozaukee County fairgrounds, Cedarburg High School and Quilt Museum. Shuttles will be available to take festival guests to the main festival grounds.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
