The Lebanon Strawberry Festival began in 1909 as a salute to abundant berry fields in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
The organizers consisted of prominent citizens and businessmen from Lebanon. Early events included the Rose Show and Parades.
As the Strawberry Festival continued to evolve, many changes occurred. In 1982 the Lebanon Strawberry Festival became an independent nonprofit corporation. It is a two-tiered organization with Board of Directors responsible for the annual presentation of the Festival and the Association members setting policies while looking for a permanent home for our Festival.
The Board of Directors consists of 24 positions staffed by volunteers. These 24 positions represent the various events highlighted the first full weekend in June.
We are proud that our claim to fame is the “World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake” served free to over 20,000 spectators. Other events include the Junior and Grand Parades, The Strawberry 5K Run and One Mile Health Walk, Carnival, Fireworks Display, Open Air Country Fair, Queen’s Coronation and many other civic events.
Volunteering for civic events involves a great deal of time and dedication. Many families have become involved and have encouraged their youth to become more active in our community.
Here are some of the events planned for this weekend as part of the festival celebration:
Carnival – Davis Amusements
Festival Site – Thursday, June 4, opening at 4 p.m.–close, Friday June 6, 3 p.m.–close, Saturday, June 7, 1 p.m.-close and Sunday, June 8 noon–close.
Pre-sale Carnival tickets available to Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, OSU Federal Credit Union, Lebanon. $23 pre-sale, $30 on-site.
Thursday, June 5
Open Air Country Fair Food and Craft Booths 4-9 p.m.
Live Entertainment at Festival Site:
n Hollywood Studios 5-6 p.m.
n Disco Party on the Lawn 6-6:45 p.m.
n Karaoke Prelims #1 7-10 p.m.
Friday, June 6
Junior Parade – Staging begins at 12:30 p.m. at 2nd and Maple St., then heads north on Main St. ends at W. Rose St. Judging at 1 p.m. Parade begins at 2:30 p.m.
Flower & Quilt Show 1-4:30 p.m. Evangelical Church Annex Park St/Ash St.
Open Air Country Fair Food and Craft Booths 3 – 9 p.m.
Live Entertainment at Festival Site (located ½ mile south of Wal-Mart on Hwy 20, follow signs)
n Hondo 4–5 p.m.
n Jazz Ensemble 6–7 p.m.
n Radio 8–11 p.m.
Saturday, June 7
Optimist Club Pancake Breakfast 6-10 a.m. Bing’s Kitchen parking lot
Strawberry Run/Walk 1-mile fun run/walk at 9:30 a.m., 5K run at 10 a.m. Starts at Main and Vine St.
Grand Parade 11 a.m. Route starts at the River Center located Market St. & S. Santiam Hwy. Ends at W. Rose & Main St.
Flower & Quilt Show Noon – 4:30 p.m. Evangelical Church Annex Park St/Ash St.
World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake – Served approximately 1–5 p.m. Festival site, ½ mile South of Wal-Mart on Hwy 20 (follow signs)
Open Air Country Fair Food and Craft Booths 1–9 p.m.
Live Entertainment at Festival Site:
n Keith Burnstine 2:45–4:15 p.m.
n Karaoke Semi’s #2 4:30–7:45 p.m.,
n Fate55-Band 8:30–11:30 p.m.
Fireworks Display – Dusk (at Festival Site)
Sunday, June 8
Open-Air Country Fair Noon-5 p.m.
Live Entertainment at Festival Site: Cascade Performing Arts 1–2 p.m.
Karaoke Finals 2:15 p.m.–close.
Parking is $5 per vehicle per day at festival site.