Practically 50 years in the past, a small group of individuals had the imaginative and prescient to placed on a pageant, held on their Pasadena Excessive College’s soccer subject. Anticipating only a few hundred individuals to point out up, over 5,000 people ended up on the occasion.
Flash ahead to 2023 and that occasion – the Pasadena Strawberry Pageant – is gearing up for its 50th annual pageant. Whether or not you attend the pageant yearly together with family and friends or are simply visiting for the primary time, there are many sights at this family-friendly extravaganza you gained’t wish to miss!
Attempt the World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake
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Once you attend the Pasadena Strawberry Pageant, make sure to arrive with an urge for food. Apart from every thing strawberry-related you possibly can think about, the pageant’s huge vary of distributors serve up just about something you might need a hankering for, like corndogs, bacon-wrapped every thing, sausage, shrimp or steak on a stick, German meals, Cajun meals, burgers, fries, brisket, deep-fried objects, and the listing simply goes on and on.
After all, the holy grail of meals to be discovered on the pageant is the World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake. Whereas the Pasadena Strawberry Pageant’s previous cake at present sits within the Guinness Guide of World Data as the most important, they’ll beat their very own file this 12 months with the ultimate cake clocking in at 2,023 sq. ft. Individuals may even purchase an enormous, scrumptious slice of this cake for simply $5. Be mindful, the cake is extremely well-liked and usually sells out – plus, it’s supporting an incredible trigger (extra on this beneath).
The strawberry shortcake might be discovered contained in the conference heart, the place quite a few distributors have hundreds of distinctive items and treats on the market, from chocolate-covered strawberries and strawberry jam to strawberry lemonade and strawberry margaritas.
You’ll additionally discover every kind of specialty acts, in addition to a child’s zone with their mascot Buzz Berry. In truth, it’s estimated round 10,000 youngsters have a blast on this one space over the course of the weekend.
Further actions on the 106 acres of grounds that contribute to all the household enjoyable are the BBQ cookoff, stay live shows, pig races, a petting zoo, canine reveals, well-known “mud volleyball” the place the sport really takes place within the mud and rather more. After they say there’s one thing enjoyable for everyone, they certain imply it.
Giving Again to the Group
Over time, the Pasadena Strawberry Pageant has given again to the neighborhood within the type of school scholarships totaling near $850,000. This 12 months alone, they are going to be gifting away $50,000 to graduating seniors from not simply Pasadena but in addition their neighboring communities and to their volunteers. Scholarships purposes can be found now on their web site, and the deadline to use is April 1st.
“Each little bit of the cash that we usher in from the cake turns again into scholarships,” says Murline Staley, who serves as Government Director of the pageant. “That’s the entire objective of why we exist, to present again to our graduating seniors and to our nonprofits in our space.”
Staley is at all times fast to acknowledge their multitude of sponsors as nicely, all of who she thanks for his or her continued assist. As for volunteering, the long-running pageant depends on individuals similar to you to be able to operate easily 12 months after 12 months.
“We’re at all times searching for new volunteers,” Staley implores. “Anyone on the market trying, we encourage you to be part of our household by volunteering with us. There are 33 totally different committees you possibly can select to be part of, and we now have a membership get together yearly to say thanks to our volunteers as a result of we couldn’t do what we do with out our volunteers or our sponsors.”
If anybody does wish to volunteer on the pageant, they’ll fill out a fast volunteer utility to come back be part of our pageant household whereas having fun with your self throughout the festivities.
Be There Could 18th, 19th, 20th & 21st, 2023!
Usually a three-day occasion that yearly takes place the third weekend of Could, this 12 months’s festivities are kicking off on Thursday, Could 18 so as to add an additional day of household enjoyable. The large celebration on Saturday evening will characteristic a fabulous fireworks show for all to get pleasure from.
Pageant hours are as follows:
- Thursday, Could 18: 3 p.m. – 12 a.m.
- Friday, Could 19: 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
- Saturday, Could 20: 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
- Sunday, Could 21: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Earlier than the pageant even formally kicks off, there are large issues happenings. A parade takes place on Saturday, Could 13th, and on Wednesday, Could 17th, there’s a magnificence pageant for contestants anyplace in age from 2 to 24.
After a making an attempt few years, Murline Staley is extra optimistic than ever about this 12 months’s festivities. “Covid modified a lot, and it did damage the nonprofit world,” she says, “nevertheless it additionally made us smarter and it made us recognize what we took with no consideration. Simply having enjoyable and making recollections with household and pals is what it’s all about.”
To attend the 50th Pasadena Strawberry Pageant, tickets might be bought upfront, together with discounted household enjoyable packs. For extra data, make sure to go to www.strawberryfest.org.
Supply By https://storystudio.chron.com/2023/01/this-may-the-pasadena-strawberry-festival-celebrates-50-years-of-festivals/
