California Strawberry Festival gets off to sweet start in Oxnard

Strawberry lovers may have tried strawberry shortcake, but how about strawberry pizza, nachos and beer.

Those are just some of the strawberry treats being offered at the 34th annual California Strawberry Festival at College Park off S. Rose Ave. in Oxnard.

There are 50 food booths , some run by teens earning money for their school teams and clubs.

The Berry Blast off cooking competition prize went to Elizabeth Koseyan.

She won a vacation for her strawberry marinated beef tacos in lettuce with kimchi.

The dish won over Brenda Wong’s strawberry filled chocolate crepes.

Oxnard produces more than a quarter of the California’s berries and peak harvest is going on now.

Half flats full of strawberries are selling for $9-15 dollars at the festival.

There are also artisans selling all kinds of arts and crafts.

Admission fees helps fund scholarships for the children of local farm workers.

Visitors can avoid traffic jams by taking free shuttles.

There are shuttle stops throughout the community.

For more information go to www.castrawberryfestival.org