Returning soon to Cottage Grove after a pause for the pandemic, the Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest will be coming to town from June 16 through June 19.

Maybe you knew that, or likely so. But did you know that there’s a Designer Purse Bingo with a Silent Auction connected to the event happening this May 15 at River Oaks Golf Course?

The event with tickets available through www.cottagegrovestrawberryfest. com, will begin at 11a.m. with a Designer Bag preview and silent auction. From there, it’s into bingo at Noon. As to the menu at River Oaks for the May 15 event, it includes cheese curds, iceberg wedge salad, basket of crispy fries, beer battered onion rings, chicken tenders, and backyard cheeseburger.

As to Strawberry Fest itself this June 16 to 19, advance tickets are now available as well. With five rides for just $12.50, advance tickets can be purchased online via a link at www.cottagegrovestrawberryfest. com. Also on sale via link at the above website, meanwhile, are Strawberry Fest T-Shirts, ranging from $17 to $20 and made of 100 percent soft spun cotton. Sizes range from Youth Extra Small to 3XL, while colors are jet black and red. So what else can be known about Strawberry Fest? It’s history, for one.

“During the 1960s and 1970s many folks, myself included, fondly recall trips to Swanlund’s or Zywiec’s to pick fresh strawberries,” Mayor Bailey said in remembering the festival. “We carried home buckets filled to the brim with juicy berries turning them into delicious treats for everyone to enjoy. That’s why our annual community festival has a strawberry theme – to keep that connection to our past alive!”

With an estimated 20,00 to 25,000 people expected to attend, Bailey extended his welcome to the event coming June 16 through June 19.

“I extend my sincere welcome and invitation to be a part of the Cottage Grove Strawberry Festival and look forward to seeing you at this year’s event,” the Mayor said of the soon coming event.