Strawberry Festival fills downtown this Friday

May 2024 · 5 minute read

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Summer’s official kick-off in Kokomo, the 2024 Strawberry Festival is set for 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, June 7, in downtown Kokomo. Nothing says summer like strawberries and whipped cream piled high atop local shortcake and ice cream.

Enjoying that strawberry dessert basking in the sun while listening to live local music is even better. That is what can be found at the 2024 Strawberry Festival & Artsapalooza Arts Market.

Presented by the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association and sponsored by First Farmers Bank & Trust, admission to the event is free, but tickets for the strawberry desserts are $7. The festival’s featured desserts will be served until 7 p.m. or while supplies last.

But, as always, there will be plenty of supply. This year, organizers ordered nearly 3,500 pounds of Moore’s Pie Shop strawberries, 6,500 pieces of Tastefully Indiana shortcake, 300 gallons of Scoops ice cream and 350 cans of Meijer whipped cream to meet the festival’s growing demand.

Visitors to the festival will want to leave some room for lunch. The event continues to grow, setting a record with more than 140 food trucks and vendors taking part in the event. The festival will encircle the courthouse square and extend one block south on Buckeye Street. Also, Artsapalooza Arts Market stretches from Walnut to Mulberry on North Main Street, featuring 30 vendors this year.

In years past, the festival has attracted around 10,000 guests during the day-long event. Organizers anticipate a similar turnout this year.

“The Strawberry Festival is a much-loved summer tradition in Kokomo, drawing thousands from near and far,” said Susan Alexander, manager of downtown initiatives for the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance. “Not only is this a great day for the community to come together, but it’s also a catalyst for pushing forward our public art initiatives.”

Festive attire has also been a part of the festival, with many donning strawberry-themed apparel. This year, festival organizers are making it official and have appointed a Strawberry Festival Knight. A festival committee member and owner of a pink suit covered in strawberries; Alec Downing will parade the festival grounds looking for guests wearing their best strawberry-themed attire. When he identifies an exemplary Strawberry Fest outfit, he will anoint the festivalgoer with a sash bestowing upon them the honor of being “2024 Strawberry Fest Royalty.”

This year’s event includes 16 food trucks, including Still Smokin BBQ & Seafood, The Local Catering Company, ZAIKA Indian Cuisine, Hawg Heaven, and The Filling Station. Alcoholic beverages will be available from The Coterie, Sun King Brewery, Whyte Horse Winery, and Booze Buggy.

Also setting records will be the amount of free family-friendly activities planned for this year’s event. Back this year will be the Tiny Tots Motorcycle Adventure presented by ABATE of Howard County. Kids can enjoy the adventure of riding a motorcycle around a small course. Also, be sure to check out Morning Side Church’s bouncy house, the pool noodle public art station, Mental Health America’s Say Something Nice station, the Kokomo Park Band’s 16-piece Street Fair Band, Kokomo Men of Note, Banner Flower House arrangement demonstrations, and much more.

Volunteers are the power fueling this festival. There will be more than 150 volunteers serving desserts, selling tickets, restocking supplies, cleaning, replacing full trash totes, and much more.

At the corner of Main and Sycamore streets, there will be live music throughout the day and evening on the Rhum Academy Stage, with Lineage headlining at 7:30 p.m. The full line-up includes:

Community Howard Regional Health will have its CareMobile parked on the square to serve as a feeding and changing station for parents and babies. It also will offer hands-on CPR training. At the corner of Sycamore and Buckeye streets, the Kokomo Fire Department will have a 1935 Aherns-Fox antique fire truck for kids to sit on and take selfies.

Those wishing to attend are encouraged to purchase strawberry shortcake tickets in advance. Tickets are on sale now during business hours at any First Farmers Bank & Trust location, all Kokomo-Howard County Public Library branches, and at the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association, Suite 102 inside Inventrek Tech Park, 700 E. Firmin St., Kokomo.

 One of the community’s most anticipated days of the summer, the Strawberry Festival is a fundraising event that supports the many public spaces and placemaking initiatives in downtown Kokomo.

“More than just a day of fun, this festival serves as a crucial fundraiser for the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization and enhancement of our community's city center,” said Alexander.

The festival unveils this year a new addition to its fundraising efforts with the release of its first-ever event t-shirt. Bearing the Strawberry Festival logo, t-shirts will be available in advance and at the event, while supplies last.

Available in sizes small to 3X, shirts are $20 each, with all proceeds benefiting the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association. Save money by bundling an advance ticket purchase (a $7 value) with a shirt for $25.

Shirts are on sale now during business hours at First Farmers Bank & Trust at 101 W. Sycamore St. and the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association in Suite 102 at Inventrek Tech Park, 700 E. Firmin St.

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