Every year, as spring fades into summer, the city of Garden Grove, California, comes alive with the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival. Held over Memorial Day weekend, this beloved event has been a cornerstone of the community since its inception in 1958. More than just a festival, it’s a celebration of local heritage, togetherness, and the agricultural roots that once defined this Orange County gem. For residents and visitors alike, the festival offers a chance to connect, enjoy, and revel in the spirit of home—both in the literal sense of the houses that line Garden Grove’s streets and the metaphorical sense of a tight-knit community that welcomes all.
A Sweet History Rooted in Strawberries
The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival began as a modest idea proposed by resident Tom Hoxie, a public relations professional who saw an opportunity to unite the city’s east and west sides. At the time, Garden Grove was a powerhouse of strawberry production, with sprawling fields stretching across the region. The festival was envisioned as a way to honor this agricultural legacy while fostering a sense of pride among residents. What started as a small gathering has grown into one of Southern California’s premier events, drawing over 300,000 attendees annually and earning its place as the second-largest community-sponsored festival in the western United States, surpassed only by Pasadena’s Rose Parade.
The festival’s early years were marked by simple pleasures: a parade, a few contests, and, of course, strawberries. Over time, it evolved to reflect the changing landscape of Garden Grove—from a rural farming community to a bustling suburban city. Yet, even as the strawberry fields gave way to homes, schools, and businesses, the festival retained its focus on community spirit. Today, it stands as a testament to the city’s ability to honor its past while embracing its present.
The Heart of the Festival: Village Green Park
Held at Village Green Park, located at the intersection of Main Street and Euclid Street in downtown Garden Grove, the festival transforms this central hub into a lively celebration space. The park, surrounded by historic buildings and tree-lined streets, provides the perfect backdrop for a weekend filled with family-friendly activities. For four days—Friday through Monday—attendees flood the area, greeted by the scent of fresh strawberries, the sound of live music, and the sight of carnival rides spinning against the sky.
The festival kicks off on Friday with one of its most iconic traditions: the cutting of the world’s largest strawberry shortcake. This massive dessert, served free to over 2,000 eager attendees, is a delicious symbol of abundance and generosity. It’s a moment that encapsulates the festival’s ethos: sharing the sweetness of Garden Grove with everyone who calls it home, whether for a day or a lifetime.
A Weekend Packed with Fun
The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival offers something for everyone, making it a true community affair. Saturday morning brings the highly anticipated Strawberry Festival Parade, a spectacle that draws upwards of 80,000 spectators. Marching bands, classic cars, equestrians, and celebrities roll through the streets, showcasing local talent and pride. Past grand marshals have included notable figures like Bobby Kennedy in 1964, and recent years have featured local heroes and celebrities alike, such as the “Dancing Doctor” PA Tony Adkins and the founders of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos.
Beyond the parade, the festival buzzes with activity. Carnival rides whirl through the air, delighting kids and adults alike, while over 200 food and vendor booths line the grounds, offering everything from classic fair treats like funnel cakes and corn dogs to strawberry-infused delights. Contests add a playful twist, with events like the Red-Head Roundup—where redheads of all ages compete in categories like “cutest” and “most freckles”—and the Tiny Tots King and Queen contest for children aged 3 to 6. Free concerts at the Garden Amphitheater and Showmobile stage feature local and regional acts, filling the air with music ranging from rock to country to folk.
For those who love a challenge, the Strawberry Stomp 5K, held in conjunction with the festival, invites runners to lace up their shoes and race through the streets of Garden Grove. It’s a fitting addition to an event that celebrates both physical and communal vitality.
Homes and Community: The Festival’s Deeper Meaning
While the strawberries and festivities draw the crowds, the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is, at its core, about home. This theme is reflected not just in the event’s taglines—like 2024’s “Celebrating Our Hometown”—but in its very existence. Garden Grove has long been a place where people put down roots. After World War II, the city experienced a population boom as soldiers returned to settle and raise families, transforming it into one of America’s fastest-growing cities by the late 1950s. Homes sprang up at an astonishing rate, priced at an average of $7,000 each, offering young families an affordable slice of the American Dream.
Today, Garden Grove is a diverse, thriving city of over 170,000 residents, and the festival reflects this evolution. It’s a gathering place for neighbors—new and old—to connect, for families to create traditions, and for the city to showcase its unique character. The event’s nonprofit status underscores this commitment to community: proceeds are donated to local charities, with over $7 million raised in the past six decades to support schools, shelters, youth programs, and civic projects like the Garden Grove Boys and Girls Club and the amphitheater itself.
The homes surrounding Village Green Park tell their own stories. Many of the mid-century houses built during the postwar boom still stand, lovingly maintained by generations of families. Others have been joined by newer developments, reflecting Garden Grove’s growth and diversity. The festival weaves these homes into its narrative, turning the streets into parade routes and the park into a shared backyard where everyone is welcome.
Strawberries as a Symbol
Strawberries may no longer dominate Garden Grove’s landscape, but they remain a powerful symbol at the festival. They represent the city’s agricultural past, when fields stretched as far as the eye could see, and they embody the sweetness of community life today. From the giant shortcake to strawberry-themed contests and treats, the fruit ties the event together, linking past and present in every bite.
For longtime residents, the festival is a nostalgic reminder of simpler times—of picking strawberries in nearby fields or attending the first parades as children. For newcomers, it’s an introduction to Garden Grove’s warmth and hospitality, a chance to feel at home in a new place. And for visitors, it’s a taste of what makes this city special: a blend of tradition, innovation, and togetherness.
Planning Your Visit
The 2025 Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is set for May 23–26, with hours running from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday. Admission is free, though ride-all-day wristbands ($35 on Friday, $40 on Saturday through Monday) and individual ride tickets ($1 each, with 3–8 tickets per ride) are available for purchase. Parking can be tricky, with on-street options limited and the nearby Costco lot off-limits, so consider using a ride-share service or arriving early to snag a spot in private or public lots.
The festival’s location in downtown Garden Grove makes it easily accessible, just a short drive from major Orange County attractions like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. It’s an ideal outing for families, couples, or anyone looking to experience a slice of local culture.
A Legacy That Endures
As the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival approaches its 67th year, its legacy continues to grow. It’s more than an event—it’s a celebration of what it means to belong to a community, to call a place home. Whether you’re a resident cheering on the parade, a visitor savoring a slice of shortcake, or a runner crossing the finish line of the 5K, the festival invites you to be part of something bigger. In a world that often feels disconnected, Garden Grove offers a reminder that home is where the heart is—and where the strawberries are, too.
So, mark your calendars for Memorial Day weekend 2025, and come join the celebration. The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival isn’t just about strawberries—it’s about the people, the homes, and the community that make this city a sweet place to be.
