Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest is almost here! The 41st annual Strawberry Fest arrives June 19 through June 22 at Kingston Park.
The theme this year is “Bring a Friend,” with parade, marketplace, and food vendors all filled. Carnival tickets are on sale now. Tickets for the carnival at Strawberry Fest 2025 are $16.45 online (including the $1.45 fee) and can be purchased via link at www.cottagegrovestrawberryfest.com.
As for the event schedule at Kingston Park, this year's Strawberry Fest has several attractions. Starting off Thursday, June 19, the band 'Basic and Boring" will return to the Main Stage for Family Night. With everything from pop to classic hits, music by the teenage band starts at 5:00 p.m.
Also part of Thursday Family Night at this year's Strawberry Fest will be a DJ-teen dance, Balloon artist, kid's tractor pull, wood crafts, high school robotic’s team demo, and CGAA Youth Sports Interactive Demo, including for lacrosse, basketball, softball, football, and soccer.
New this year on Friday meanwhile will be an exciting drone show, taking place Friday, June 20 at 10:30 p.m.
As in past years Strawberry Fest 2025 will include a marketplace with vendors, along with a bean bag tournament, car show, pet show, doggie dash, story walk, pie eating contest, top chef contest, K-9/SWAT demo, food vendors, beer garden, mega jump motivational experience, live entertainment, and Grande Day Parade. The parade will take place Saturday, June 21 at 10:00 a.m. with Gary Spooner as 2025 parade grand marshal. Fireworks will take place Saturday at 10:30 p.m. Sunday will see the festival wind down, with carnival hours from noon to 4 p.m.
Back via public input meanwhile, there’s still time to join the coloring contest is returning. Eric Dowdle is coming as well.
As for the coloring contest, four young finalists will get at have their artwork displayed at the Discover Cottage Grove booth during Strawberry Fest, as well as at City Hall. Entries are free but due at the Cottage Grove City Hall by June 9 at 4:30 p.m., either by dropping them at the city hall front desk or else mailing them to:

Cottage Grove City Hall
Attention: Communications Team
12800 Ravine Parkway South
Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Finalists in the coloring contest will be notified via phone or email by June 16. More information and a parent release form to use the art can be found at at https://www.cottagegrovemn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5880/Strawberry-Fest-Coloring-Page-Web?bidId=
Last but not least, the Strawberry Fest Ambassador candidates have been announced. They are Ashley (sponsored by Merchants Bank), Autumn (sponsored by Women in Business), Caitlyn (sponsored by Buy with Mo Powered by Keller Williams Premier Realty), Eloise (sponsored by Woodbury Dance Center), Gracie (sponsored by Better Outlook LLC), Maximillian (sponsored by Liberty Heating and Cooling), Penelope (sponsored by Whole Health Chiropractic), Rosalyn (sponsored by Brynn Alden Design+Build), Ryan (sponsored by TrueLens Community Media), Shannon (sponsored by Jing River Acupuncture), and Silaya (sponsored by GQ Stucco & Stone Inc.).

Before the Fest is over the Court will be announced. Make your plans now to attend Strawberry Fest!