From California’s coveted grapes to New York’s famous apples, America is home to some of the most diverse and delicious fruits. Though it may still feel like winter for half of the country, spring is just around the corner. And with the warmer weather comes an array of fruits and more importantly - fruit festivals. No matter where you go, you’re sure to have a berry good time at any one of these fruit festivals.
The Annual Florida Blueberry Festival
When: April 22nd and 23rd
Where: Brooksville, Florida
This festival may only be one weekend long, but it has enough activities and performances to fill up a week! Come explore its many food concessionaires, retail stores, the “blueberry kid zone,” and street vendors. When the sun falls, dance the night away to Head Games - a Foreigner tribute band. For those of you over 21, there’s a wine bar and beer garden, both featuring selections made from blueberries. And make sure to bring your bathing suit, because this festival features a 1,000 foot Slip-N-Slide!
West Virginia Strawberry Festival
When: May 13th - 21st
Where: Buckhannon, West Virginia
The first ever West Virginia Strawberry Festival kicked off in 1936 as a way to honor local Strawberry Growers and help boost their sales. What started out as a small, one-day festival has grown into a nine-day strawberry extravaganza. Visitors can take part in their carnival-style rides and games and can get their hands on any and everything strawberry flavored - including strawberry pie, milkshakes, candies, and old fashioned chocolate covered strawberries.
California Strawberry Festival
When: May 20th and 21st
Where: Oxnard, California
With its very own Strawberry Promenade, you’ll be hard pressed to find a bigger strawberry festival than this one on the West Coast. With more than 50 food booths, a ‘Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest’ and 200 craft vendors, the California Strawberry Festival is the perfect way to kick off the summer. In addition to the two days of non-stop family fun, a percentage of everything you spend at the festival will be donated to local charities. So far, the festival has already raised more than $4.5 million!
Long Grove’s Strawberry Festival
When: June 23rd - 25th
Where: Historic Downtown Long Grove, Illinois
Long Grove is bringing back its annual strawberry festival - but this time they’re kicking it up a notch. The festival will feature performances by local bands, arts and crafts demonstrations, family activities, and plenty of strawberry themed foods and contests.
Varick Winery and Vineyard Annual Cherry Festival
When: June 24th and 25th
Where: Romulus, New York
Join the town of Romulus in celebrating the 13th annual Cherry Festival! Here, families can pick their own sweet and sour cherries from the vineyard’s five acres of beautiful trees. Wine lovers are sure to enjoy the large selection of wines, including those infused with cherries. You can even test your aim with Varick’s Apple Chuckin' slingshot, or find a new furry friend at the Beverly Animal Shelter sponsored pet adoption.
Huckleberry Festival
When: August 11th - 13th
Where: Trout Creek, Montana
For more than 30 years, the town of Trout Creek has been celebrating their beloved huckleberry - a small, purple fruit that grows in the high mountains of the region. What better place than the “Huckleberry Capitol of Montana” to find the best huckleberry-themed entertainment, contests, ice cream cones, cheesecake, and drinks.
Winterville Watermelon Festival
When: August 24 - 26th
Where: Winterville, North Carolina
The Watermelon Festival has been a long honored tradition in Winterville, spanning more than three decades. This year, each night is said to have a different theme and major event. The first night’s theme has still yet to be announced, but the second night is “Family Fun Night,” and the festival will be ending after the last day’s “Watermelon Jam” celebration. And make sure you come with an empty stomach, because the festival also features their competitive annual ‘Winterville Watermelon Eating’ contest!
Bridgeville Apple-Scrapple Festival
When: October 13th and 14th
Where: Bridgeview, Delaware
Planning for the 25th Annual Bridgeville Apple-Scrapple Festival is already underway! This event features a stage with live entertainment, the ‘Little Miss Apple-Scrapple’ contest, more than 500 crafters and vendors, and plenty of delicious food. If you live in the area and are interested in helping plan the festival, meetings are held on the last Tuesday of every month at the Bridgeville Library.
If you don't live in any of the states mentioned above, there are plenty more fruit festivals happening across the country. Take a moment to research fruit festivals near you this spring and let us know what you thought of them!
AUTHOR
Tara Carlson graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in Public Relations and loves any and all things creative writing - which is why she is thrilled to be working with Berry Chatty. When she's not writing, you can probably find her swimming at the beach, catching up on the latest movies (she's a big fan of award season!) and playing soccer.