Free Admission At Santa Maria Strawberry Festival All Weekend
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - The Santa Maria Strawberry Festival is expanding the celebration this weekend with free admission and chances for free rides.
The popular event is bigger than it’s ever been.
In today’s world of high prices, the festival’s first use of free admission for the whole weekend is something families will definitely want to take advantage of.
Known for its evolving carnival atmosphere, the Santa Maria Strawberry Festival has celebrated the region’s strawberry industry for almost forty years.
“The Strawberry Festival is not just a carnival,” says Todd Ventura, Santa Maria Fairpark acting CEO. “It's really about agriculture. It's about our community. It's about promoting and, celebrating the whole strawberry industry.”
Also combined with the annual Strawberry Dinner for the first time this year, the Santa Maria Fairpark is expected to be packed this weekend.
“We're kicking off with the strawberry industry dinner, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce,” says Ventura. “So we'll have 800 guests in the Convention Center tonight, celebrating strawberries. And then we're going to have a Strawberry Festival for the next two days.”
The celebrations run with free admission at the front gates for all three days, Friday evening 6 to 10, and 2 to 10 on Saturday and Sunday.
this year, the festival has partnered with Helm And Sons Amusements for more rides than it’s ever had before.
“Not only is it our first time doing it, but we are also keeping the old tradition alive while still reinventing it,” says Chloe Parks, spokesperson for Helm And Sons Amusements.
Another new feature this year provided by Helm And Sons Amusements is a trivia game show happening every two hours, providing chances to win unlimited ride wristbands.
“If we're not doing a game show, we're either doing dance competitions or a deejay playing music, having like, little interactive dances and stuff too,” says Parks. “But all of our stages are always busy.”
Helm And Sons has set up approximately 26 rides at the festival this year, providing something for attendees of all ages.
Not to mention the traditional strawberry pies, beverages, and confections.
Organizers say the expanding community partnerships are vital to providing this event every year, and they are eager to see everyone out enjoying the beautiful Central Coast weather this weekend.
The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On OurMobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for theNews Channel 3-12 Newsletter.
