Strawberry Fest 2026 is here! Starting this Thursday at Kingston Park and continuing through Monday with the Strawberry Fest Ambassador Coronation at Park High School, the theme of this year’s Strawberry Fest is “Pure Imagination.” With tickets available via link at cottagegrovestrawberryfest.com, the event promises to be outstanding.
“We have a lot more entertainment on the main stage this year,” Strawberry Fest President Lori Olsen shared recently.
Also new this year are events like Ninja Anywhere and the 14/27 basketball challenge. Ninja Anywhere takes place Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m., while the 14/27 basketball will give kids a chance to shoot baskets for money.
“It will give kids or adults a chance to shoot baskets for money,” Olsen said of the 14/27 Basketball Challenge.
As for this year’s Strawberry Fest Ambassador candidates, there are 12 candidates representing local businesses and organizations throughout the community. Candidates include Chloe Adams, sponsored by Buy with Mo, Powered by Keller Williams Premier Realty; Cylie Adams, sponsored by Egg Roll Queen; Mariella Briseno, sponsored by Merchants Bank; Henry Isenhower, sponsored by Van Meter Inc.; Sydney Kampf, sponsored by Women in Business; Sara Methner, sponsored by the American College Foundation and Jean Braun; Maddie Myers, sponsored by Brynn Alden Design + Build; Ryleigh Myers, sponsored by Whole Health Chiropractic; Riya Phillips, sponsored by Edwards Plumbing, Inc.; Eloise Schmidt, sponsored by Woodbury Dance Center; Sheylina Schrenkler, sponsored by Grey Cloud Outdoors; and Emani Wright, sponsored by Newport Collision Center. The candidates will participate in Strawberry Fest activities throughout the weekend, culminating in the Strawberry Fest Ambassador Coronation on Sunday evening at Park High School, where one candidate will be crowned as the community's ambassador for the coming year.
Following is a schedule of events at Strawberry Fest:

Thursday, June 18
Carnival: 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Food Vendors: 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Strawberry Fest Information Booth: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Lions Den Bar and Grill: 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Beer Gardens: 2:00 p.m. - Midnight
Strawberryfields Marketplace: 4:00 p.m. - Sunset
Balloon Artistry by Mandana: 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - sponsored by Cottage Grove Lions Club
Kids Workshop Crafts: 4:00 p.m. - Sunset - sponsored by Cottage Grove Lions Club
Family Night Attractions: 4:00 p.m. - Sunset
The Dollipops: 5:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. (Main Stage) - sponsored by Park Dental - Cottage Grove
Western Wisconsin Pedal Pulls: Registration 5:30 p.m., Event 6:00 p.m. - sponsored by Van Meter Inc.
Heartbreaker: 6:45 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Main Stage) - sponsored by St. Paul Park-Newport Lions Club
Friday, June 19
Carnival: 2:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Food Vendors: 2:00 p.m. - Midnight
Strawberry Fest Information Booth: 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Lions Den Bar and Grill: 2:00 p.m. - Midnight
Beer Gardens: 2:00 p.m. - Midnight
Strawberryfields Marketplace: 10:00 a.m. - Sunset
Zero Below: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Main Stage) - sponsored by Hy-Vee of Cottage Grove-
Top Chef Contest: Registration 5:00 p.m., Event 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - sponsored by Old National Bank and Tennis Sanitation LLC
Them Pesky Kids: 8:00 p.m. - Midnight (Main Stage) - sponsored by Renewal by Andersen
Saturday, June 20
5K Run and Walk: Registration 7:15 a.m., Event 8:00 a.m. - sponsored by Cottage Grove Parks and Rec Department
Men's Softball Tournament: Lamar Complex - sponsored by Cottage Grove Parks and Rec Department
Kids 1K: 8:00 a.m. - sponsored by Cottage Grove Parks and Rec Department
Strawberry Fest Information Booth: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Registration: 9:15 a.m.
Grand Day Parade: 10:00 a.m.
Strawberryfields Marketplace: 10:00 a.m. - Sunset
Lions Den Bar and Grill: 10:00 a.m. - Midnight
Carnival: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Strawberry Fest Ambassador Welcome and Parade Awards: 11:45 a.m.
14/27 Basketball Challenge: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - sponsored by LSP - Cottage Grove LP
Ninja Anywhere: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - sponsored by Walmart - Cottage Grove
Pie Eating Contest (near the info booth): Check-in 12:15 p.m., Event 12:30 p.m. - sponsored by the Oral Surgery Center
School of Rock St. Paul's Youth Road Crew: 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Main Stage) - sponsored by St. Paul Park-Newport Lions Club
Bean Bag Tournament - Tennis court next to the Pavilion: 1:00 p.m. - provided by Cottage Grove Lions Club
Pet Show: Registration 1:00 p.m., Event 2:00 p.m. - sponsored by Aimee’s Pampered Pet Parlor and Pet Wants Woodbury
Pampered Pet Parlor and Pet Wants Woodbury: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fire/EMS Demonstration: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - provided by the Cottage Grove Fire Department
Hollywood Blvd: 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Main Stage) - sponsored by Minnesota Pipe Line Company
Doggie Dash: Registration 3:30 p.m., Event 4:00 p.m. - sponsored by Grove80 Apartments
K9 Demonstration: 4:15 p.m. - provided by Cottage Grove Police Department
Tim Sigler Band: 8:00 p.m. - Midnight (Main Stage) - sponsored by 3M - Cottage Grove and Marathon Petroleum
Aerial Illuminations Drone Show: 10:30 p.m. - sponsored by Tennis Sanitation LLC
Sunday, June 21
Carnival: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Food Vendors: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Monday, June 22
Strawberry Fest Ambassador Coronation: 6:30 p.m. at Park High School. Reception immediately following coronation - sponsored by Fairview Cottage Grove Clinic and Brynn Alden Design + Build

With more bands, new events and even a drone show, Strawberry Fest 2026 could be the best yet!