California Strawberry Festival
Celebrate all things related to the red, heart-shaped fruit at this popular festival, now in its 39th year. The main attraction? Strawberry dishes that range from the expected (atop funnel cake, chocolate-dipped) to the surprising (ever had strawberry chimichangas or beer?). On top of over 50 food booths, find a $5 build-your-own strawberry shortcake tent, concerts, celebrity chef cooking demos, arts and crafts, contests, a festival midway with carnival rides, and the for-kids Strawberry Land. The event recently moved from Oxnard to the Ventura County Fairgrounds—it’s a bit of a trek, but the drive is worth it. Plus, all of the proceeds from nonprofit food booths go to benefit more than 20 Southland charities.