Cottage Grove’s iconic annual summer get-together is almost upon us. This year’s Strawberry Fest will take place Thursday, June 15 through Sunday, June 18 at Kingston Park, located at 9195 75th St. S. Expecting over 20,000 people in attendance, and with dozens of activities to choose from, there will be plenty of fun and family entertainment for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The four-day festival will include a carnival, live music, softball/bean bag tournaments, a car show, fireworks, a pet show/doggie dash, a parade, a kids pedal pull, public safety demonstrations, a medallion hunt, a pie eating contest, a top chef contest, a story stroll, and 5k/kids 1k races. Information for pre-purchasing entrance tickets and pre-registration for any individual events can be found at cottagegrovestrawberryfest.com/events.

Here’s a checklist of 2023 Strawberry Fest events:

The Carnival will be open all four days of the festival, featuring rides, games, prizes, and all kinds of fair food options. Hours of operation for the carnival will be: Thursday, June 15, 4–10 p.m., Friday, June 16, 2-11 p.m., Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, June 18, 12-4 p.m. Carnival tickets can be purchased at the gate, or in advance for $12.50.

Live music will be rocking the Main Stage on Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17. The Friday schedule features rock band CoConut Tiger (featuring Nina Crash) from 5-7 p.m., followed by top 40/party/rock/dance band RHINO taking the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday performances will be 1980’s tribute band Ladies of the 80s from 4-7 p.m., with country act Tim Sigler Band firing it up at 8 p.m.

The 5k race/walk and kids 1k race will take place on the morning of Saturday, June 17. Registration for the 5k run is $30 on-site or $25 in advance; the 5k walk is $25 on-site or $20 in advance; the kids 1k is $20 on-site or $15 in advance. Check-in time for the 5ks will be from 7:15-8 a.m., and check-in for the kids 1k will be from 9:15-9:30 a.m. All kids 1k participants will receive a medal.

The Grande Day Parade will take place on Saturday, June 17 at 10 a.m. The parade route begins at 80^th Street South/Jamaica Avenue South, traveling north to Indian Boulevard, where it will turn east to its conclusion at Cottage Grove Middle School.

Men’s and women’s softball tournaments begin on the diamonds early on Saturday, June 17 at 8 a.m. Each tournament will be comprised of 16 teams competing in a Round Robin Pool Play. Each team will have a three-game guarantee. The registration deadline is June 14 for all teams, and the registration fee is $220 per team. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams in each tournament.

A rain-or-shine 32-team Bean Bag tournament kicks off on Saturday, June 17 at 1 p.m., with cash prizes awarded to the top three teams. Same-day registration is $50 per team; pre-registration by June 16 is $40 per team.

The 2023 Car Show rolls into the park on Saturday, June 17 from 1-4 p.m. Six trophies will be awarded: four by different city officials, one by the crowd, and one by the kids. Registration is $15, or $10 if pre-registered by June 12.

For those wishing to involve their furry companions in competitions at the festival, there are two main events on Saturday, June 17. The Pet Show will be held at 2 p.m., welcoming licensed pets of all stripes, including dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, birds, etc. Pets can be registered for the show for free between 1-1:45 p.m. at the Pet Show Tent. Winners will be chosen for 11 categories. At 4 p.m., the Doggie Dash will kick off. All participating dogs need to be registered in advance (free of charge), and must have valid licenses/vaccinations, be socialized, and be kept on a leash until the race.

A Kids Pedal Pull will take place on Thursday, June 15 at 5:30 p.m. Free and open to children age 4-11, kids can have fun in their own fun and safe version of a tractor pull. Participation ribbons will be given to all who take part.

A Top Chef Contest will be held on Friday, June 16, with on-site registration at 5 p.m., judging at 6 p.m., and winners announced at 7:30 p.m. All dishes must contain strawberries, no matter the category entered. Three age divisions will be judged: 10 and under, 11-17, and 18+. More information on submission rules can be found at cottagegrovestrawberryfest.com/events.

For those feeling extra hungry, the Strawberry Pie Eating Contest will take place on Saturday, June 17 at 1 p.m. All are welcome to enter the contest free of charge. (Appetite recommended.)

Highlighting the last late night of the festival with a bang, a full fireworks display will once again light up the sky above Kingston Park on Saturday, June 17, beginning at 10:30 p.m.