Oxnard Rolls Out Its Berry Berry Best

Ever tried strawberry pizza? What about Southern fried chicken with strawberry sauce?

It may sound a bit like berry overload, but it is, after all, strawberry season. That means the juicy, red fruit is easily found throughout California this time of year. But those who dare to try some of these exotic dishes can find them at this weekend’s Strawberry Festival in--where else?--Oxnard, the state’s strawberry capital.

The event was created 15 years ago to pay homage to the strawberry industry, which brings Oxnard an annual revenue of more than $100 million. Over the years it has grown into a huge party with entertainment, arts and crafts and all sorts of odd and tasty dishes made with locally grown strawberries. All this is spread throughout scenic, 75-acre College Park, which is surrounded by lush rolling hills and farmland.

This is a strawberry lover’s dream come true. Everything has a berry twist; all 30 of the charitable organizations selling food at the festival must come up with dishes that feature strawberries.

And the things they create! Last year, one group came up with strawberry popcorn. It won’t make a comeback this weekend, but there will be plenty of other interesting items, like hot dogs with strawberry barbecue sauce and “strawmonade,” lemonade with a powerful strawberry twist.

“You’d be amazed at the things you can make with strawberries,” said festival director Shelley Merrick.

And those who are ready to knock a berry pizza, a festival hit for the last 14 years, may reconsider after checking it out. (But beware, this dish is not for calorie counters.) It’s a chilled dessert consisting of a pastry crust covered with a sweet cream cheese mixture and topped with powdered sugar, lots of strawberries and whipped cream.

“It sounds so horrible,” said Suzanah Aldidrez, one of the volunteers who helps create it for the Rio Mesa High School Athletic Booster Club. “But it’s yum! You can’t even imagine!” The group uses about 120 cases of strawberries to make the pizza. Now that’s a lot of Vitamin C, not to mention folic acid.

Another festival favorite is the strawberry cool cup: nuts, powdered sugar, chocolate, strawberries and whipped cream. There are also more traditional offerings like strawberry ice cream cones, smoothies, floats, malts and shakes.

Those who prefer strawberries without the sugar or poultry can purchase plenty of them by the flat or pint. Keep in mind that Oxnard produces more than 20% of the state’s strawberries in an area spanning 5,776 acres.

“The local growers will be selling their strawberries straight from the fields, and they are incredible,” said Merrick, who estimates that 70,000 to 80,000 people attended the two-day event last year.

Eating isn’t the only thing to do at the Strawberry Festival, even though organizers estimate that 6 million strawberries will be consumed in the two days.

There will be plenty of activities like the tart toss, which involves flinging a pie at a friend’s face from the inside of a huge strawberry target.

Shopping is also a big part of the festival, with more than 300 arts and crafts booths. For kids, there’s Strawberryland with live musical entertainment, clowns, hands-on arts and crafts, a petting zoo, jugglers and a puppet show.

Adults can enjoy rock, blues, jazz, reggae, country and folk music played on four concert stages throughout both festival days. The headline acts include the classic rock band Steppenwolf (Saturday from 3:30-5 p.m. on the Dr. Kato Stage) and the popular Bay Area soul band Tower of Power (Sunday, same time, same place).

“We improved the entertainment this year so that we have music all day instead of sporadic,” Merrick said. “We got some great talent.”

They also have many incredible dishes. Indulge.

BE THERE

The Strawberry Festival, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., College Park, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Thirty food vendors featuring dishes made with strawberries, arts and crafts, live music and a kids’ section with clowns, jugglers and a petting zoo. Purchase freshly picked strawberries from local growers. Admission: $7; children under 2 free. (888) 288-9242.