California Strawberry Festival

What California Strawberry Festival does

California Strawberry Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1984 that operates a single annual two-day community festival celebrating California's strawberry industry at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Oxnard/Ventura, California. The festival product comprises multiple integrated attractions: a food court with 50+ strawberry-themed booths (including a build-your-own Strawberry Shortcake Experience), an arts and crafts exhibitor showcase with approximately 150 artists, three live entertainment stages, Strawberryland for Kids with carnival rides and interactive games, Berry Stylish Events fashion activities, and a covered Festival Dining Hall. The organization is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors with 1-10 personnel, has raised over $4.9 million for local charities across its 40-year history, and channels 100% of nonprofit food booth sales proceeds to the operating charities along with over $127,000 in annual stipends to 30+ Ventura County nonprofit partners.

The festival generates revenue through a diversified, transaction-based model: tiered admission tickets ($8-$15 per person, children free), carnival ride tickets ($1 each or bundled packages), corporate sponsorship packages (Official, Presenting, Supporting, and Participating tiers), food and beverage vendor booth fees (with nonprofit booths retaining 100% of their sales), arts and crafts exhibitor fees (managed by channel partner Pacific Fine Arts Festivals), Strawberry Shortcake Experience purchases at $7 each, festival merchandise, and on-site parking at $30. Distribution is omnichannel at the venue level: gate ticket sales, online pre-sales, free shuttle service from multiple Ventura County pickup points, and Amtrak/Metrolink train access. Marketing is conducted through an active social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter/X, and Pinterest, an email newsletter, a multi-station radio and broadcast media sponsorship stack (KTLA, Audacy, Cumulus, Point Broadcasting, Lazer Broadcasting), and earned media via Rumbaugh Public Relations.

The customer base spans four distinct segments: Southern California families and individuals seeking weekend entertainment (primary), Ventura County nonprofit organizations using the festival as a major fundraising platform (primary), corporate sponsors seeking regional brand exposure and experiential marketing (secondary), and approximately 150 arts and crafts vendors. The 2023 relocation to the Ventura County Fairgrounds from the prior College Park venue signaled a capacity-driven expansion to accommodate growing attendance, following a three-year COVID-related cancellation period (2020-2022). The festival's competitive position is anchored by its flagship partnership with the California Strawberry Commission, its 40-year brand legacy, and its deep integration with the Ventura County nonprofit ecosystem.

Name

California Strawberry Festival

Legal name

California Strawberry Festival

Website

https://castrawberryfestival.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1984 that operates an annual two-day strawberry-themed festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, serving Southern California families with live music, carnival rides, arts & crafts, and strawberry-themed food while functioning as a major fundraising platform for 30+ local Ventura County nonprofits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Festival Events

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Food, Drink & Culinary Community Festivals (Community-Led) (MPAGAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG), Community Parades, Carnivals & Street Fairs (MPAGAEAE)

Keywords

• Community festival events
• Nonprofit event management
• Food and beverage festivals
• Arts and crafts fairs
• Charity fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Oxnard

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Admission tickets sold to festival attendees at gate and online
2. Food and Beverage Vendor Fees: Food vendors (50+ booths) pay fees to participate; nonprofit food booths receive 100% of sales proceeds to benefit their causes
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors pay for branding, marketing, and sampling opportunities at the festival; includes official partners, presenting sponsors, and supporting sponsors
4. Festival Merchandise: Sales of festival merchandise including Strawberry Shortcake Experience and official merchandise
5. Carnival Rides: Single-ride tickets sold for carnival attractions ($1 each or 24 for $20)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The California Strawberry Festival is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that produces an annual two-day strawberry-themed community festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Its core offering is the integrated festival experience, including a 50+ booth strawberry-themed food court, an approximately 150-artist arts and crafts exhibitor showcase, three live entertainment stages, a children's Strawberryland carnival and interactive zone, the build-your-own Strawberry Shortcake Experience, Berry Stylish Events fashion activities, the Festival Dining Hall, and tiered general admission ticketing. The festival supports 30+ local nonprofits through food-booth fundraising and corporate sponsorship programs, having raised over $4.9 million for local charities across its 40-year history.

Product overview

The California Strawberry Festival is a nonprofit community event organization operating a single annual two-day festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The product portfolio centers on this flagship festival experience, which comprises multiple integrated attractions: the Festival Food Court with over 50 strawberry-themed food booths, the Arts & Crafts exhibitor showcase with approximately 150 vendors, a three-stage live entertainment program, Strawberryland for Kids with carnival rides and interactive activities, the Strawberry Shortcake Experience for build-your-own shortcake, the Berry Stylish Events fashion activities, and the Festival Dining Hall for seated dining. Additional offerings include admission ticketing and corporate sponsorship packages. All components are sold and experienced as part of the unified festival event, with charitable giving to local nonprofits as a core differentiator.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Festival Admission Tickets Tiered general admission tickets providing entry to the two-day annual festival at Ventura County Fairgrounds. Includes Adult, Senior (62+), Youth (ages 5-12), Children (4 and under free), and Active Military pricing. Available at festival gates (cash and credit) and online.
• Festival Food Court (Eats & Treats) More than 50 food booths offering strawberry-themed culinary delights including strawberry nachos, strawberry pizza, strawberry funnel cake, chocolate-covered strawberries, deep-fried strawberries, strawberry shortcake, strawberry beer, margaritas, smoothies, and strawberry popcorn. Food booths operated by nonprofit charities receive 100% of sales proceeds.
• Strawberry Shortcake Experience Build-your-own strawberry shortcake pavilion where guests customize shortcake with fresh or sweetened strawberries and whipped cream for $7. Presented by the California Strawberry Commission.
• Arts & Crafts Exhibitor Showcase Juried showcase featuring approximately 150 artists and crafters from across the nation displaying original works including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, children's toys, accessories, photography, textiles, outdoor furniture, jewelry, and specialty foods. Presented by Fruli.
• Live Entertainment (Multiple Stages) Three entertainment stages featuring live music and performances: Dr. Kato Stage (presented by Kona) with pop, funk, Caribbean, and tribute bands; Festival Stage (presented by Fruli) with taiko drums, Latin music, and rock; and Family Fun Stage (presented by Daiwa) with puppet shows, magic acts, and science shows.
• Strawberryland for Kids Family-friendly children's area featuring carnival rides (Raiders, Hammer, Swinger, Tilt A Whirl, Bumper Cars, Roller Coaster), Mind Works interactive games and brain teasers, bubble arena, construction zone, toddler area, and live performances at the Family Fun Stage. Presented by Gem-Pack Berries.
• Berry Stylish Events Fashion-focused activities including Strawberry Fashion on Parade runway show at Strawberry Shores Pavilion, Strawberry Fields photo experience with themed backdrops and photo frames, and interactive photo opportunities for all ages.
• Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities Corporate sponsorship packages offering brand visibility, marketing opportunities, sampling initiatives, and experiential marketing presence at the annual festival. Draws more than 40,000 attendees. Includes Official Partner, Presenting Sponsor, Supporting Sponsor, and Participating Sponsor tiers.
• Festival Midway (Rides and Games) Midway area featuring carnival rides, games, and attractions. Single-ride tickets $1 each; ride tickets required 4-7 per attraction depending on ride type. Includes carnival classics such as Tilt A Whirl, Roller Coaster, Super Slide, and Bumper Cars.
• Festival Dining Hall Covered seating area with ample tables, restrooms, and sun access for enjoying festival food within the Ventura County Fairgrounds venue. Presented by Players Casino.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $5 million raised for local charities over 40 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• California Strawberry CommissionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Partner of the Festival, Presenting Sponsor of Strawberry Shortcake Experience, and Presenting Sponsor of Strawberry Express Shuttles. The commission is the official industry body for California strawberry growers and provides significant support for the festival's core attractions.
• Daiwa by U.S. Jaclean, Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Massage Chair of the California Strawberry Festival; Presenting Sponsor of Berry Best Moments Photo Stations and Presenting Sponsor of the Family Fun Stage
• Fruli Strawberry BeercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of Festival Stage and Presenting Sponsor of Festival Arts & Crafts
• The Mattress HubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Mattress of the California Strawberry Festival
• Kona Big WaveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of Dr. Kato Stage
• California Deluxe WindowsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of the Strawberry Fashion on Parade
• Gem Pack BerriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of Strawberryland for Kids
• Players CasinominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of the Festival Dining Hall
• T-MobileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of the Festival Bike Valet
• Pacific Fine Arts FestivalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManages arts and crafts vendor recruitment and applications for the festival; contact: Dana and Troy Hale-Mounier
• KTLA TelevisionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Television Sponsor of the California Strawberry Festival; major media sponsor providing broadcast exposure
• Point BroadcastingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor operating radio stations KCAQ 95.9 FM and KFYV 105.5 FM
• Lazer BroadcastingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor operating multiple radio stations
• Cumulus Media in VenturaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor operating KHAY 100.7, 106.3 The Vibe, 95.1 KBBY, and Kruz 103.3
• Audacy (K-EARTH 101, 94.7 The Wave, JACK-FM 93.1)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor operating multiple radio stations in Ventura County
• California Strawberry Growers' Scholarship FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival contributes approximately $85,000 to scholarship fund administered by California Strawberry Commission for children of strawberry fieldworkers; fund has awarded $2 million to hundreds of students
• California State University Channel IslandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival funded $25,000 endowment for student scholarships at CSUCI; approximately $9,000 in scholarships awarded since 2003

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Gilroy Garlic Festival: Long-running California food-themed community festival with similar structure: themed food booths, live entertainment, family attractions, and nonprofit fundraising. Operated as a nonprofit community event with comparable attendance scale (50,000+) and sponsorship model targeting regional food/ag sponsors.
• Oregon Strawberry Festival: Community strawberry-themed festival with overlapping product identity (strawberry-themed food, shortcake, family entertainment). Comparable scale, single-day/weekend format, and nonprofit/community event positioning, though in a different geography.
• Maine Lobster Festival: Iconic New England food-themed community festival with similar festival format: themed food booths (lobster-based), live entertainment, arts & crafts, carnival rides, and community nonprofit engagement. Comparable attendance scale and nonprofit governance structure.
• Fallbrook Avocado Festival: Annual Southern California community festival themed around a single agricultural commodity (avocados), featuring food booths, arts & crafts, live music, and family activities. Operated by a nonprofit with similar attendance scale, regional draw, and sponsorship/vendor revenue mix.
• Plant City Strawberry Festival: The Plant City Strawberry Festival is the most direct peer: a long-running community festival centered on a single agricultural commodity (strawberries), featuring food booths, live entertainment, carnival rides, arts & crafts, and a charitable giving mission in Florida's strawberry region. It shares the same festival format, target audience (families, regional attendees), and revenue model (tickets, sponsorships, vendor fees).

Regional players

• Ventura County Fair: The annual county fair hosted at the same Ventura County Fairgrounds venue where the California Strawberry Festival operates. Shares the same physical venue, regional Southern California audience, food/entertainment/vendor structure, but operates on a much larger multi-day scale with different agricultural fair governance.

Emerging players

• Nashville Hot Chicken Festival: Free single-day food-themed community festival with similar operational scale (~40,000 attendees), nonprofit structure, and core product (themed food, live music, family activities). Functions as a peer in format and audience but is smaller and free of charge.

Broad incumbents

• OC Fair: Large-scale Southern California county fair operating at Costa Mesa fairgrounds with overlapping format (food vendors, carnival rides, live entertainment, arts & crafts, agricultural exhibits). Much larger operation, broader scope, and year-round venue, but competes for the same regional Southern California discretionary entertainment dollar.
• LA County Fair: One of the largest county fairs in the U.S., operating at Fairplex in Pomona, with comparable attractions (food, rides, entertainment, agricultural themes, arts). A scaled-up incumbent that competes for the same Southern California family audience and corporate sponsorship dollars.

Others

• Pacific Fine Arts Festivals: Channel partner that runs arts & crafts vendor recruitment for the California Strawberry Festival (and many other SoCal festivals). They are an enabling ecosystem partner and competitor in the broader festival arts/crafts marketplace, helping benchmark comparable festival economics and vendor fee structures.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CAStrawFestival
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CAStrawberryFest1
• Facebookfacebook.com/CaliforniaStrawberryFestival
• Instagraminstagram.com/castrawberryfest
• Pinterestpinterest.com/castrawberry

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Strawberry Festival