The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival kicks off at noon today, and after a two-year absence due to the pandemic organizers are chomping at the berry to get things underway. For the 50th Anniversary, this year spokesperson Donald Lanier said everyone is excited to see this Louisiana staple return.
“We finally get to have a festival, and it’s going to be a gorgeous weekend, tons of berries to be bought, and eaten, plenty of good old times with music and games and everything going on,” said Lanier.
The festival returns as the state is also experiencing a bountiful strawberry crop this season.
Lanier said the last two years have been difficult without the strawberry festival not only for the nonprofits that depend on revenue from the festival but for local businesses as well.
“And even in town, the businesses they make enough this weekend to pretty much get them through the year,” said Lanier.
The festival at Memorial Park runs from noon until 10:30 Friday night and then things get underway on Saturday at 9 am with a parade at 9:30 and continue until 11 pm. Sunday things kick off with a church service at 9 am and the festival wraps at 6 pm. Lanier said they’ll have plenty of all types of music, food, rides, games, and crafts.
The Ponchatoula festival is one of the state’s largest free events, second only to Mardi Gras. In the past with festival would compete with French Quarter Festival in New Orleans but not this year. And after a two year-absence, Lanier said they are expecting record-breaking crowds this weekend, anywhere from 200,000 to 500,000 people.
“You know come on out and have a good time, that’s all we’re telling people you cannot, not have a good time out here,” said Lanier.
For more information visit LAstrawberryfestival.com.
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