Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Returns After Two-Year Hiatus

GARDEN GROVE, CA — Slices of strawberry shortcake will be plentiful at Village Green Park starting Friday with the return of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival.

The festival is now in its 62nd year and returns after a two-year hiatus brought on by COVID-19. The festival will hold a kick-off ceremony Friday at 6 p.m. featuring slices of a 70-foot long strawberry shortcake for attendees, Strawberry Festival organizers said.

Admission to the festival is free, and Village Green Park is at the intersection of Main and Euclid streets in Garden Grove.

The festival's hours are:

• Friday — 1 to 10 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday — 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Monday — 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A parade will be held on Saturday, at 10 a.m., starting at 9th and Chapman streets.

Patrick Catlin, president of the Garden Grover Strawberry Festival Association, said in a statement the festival will be back "stronger than ever," and this year's theme is "Celebrating Essential Workers."

"The theme ... was chosen to publicly acknowledge and thank the many essential workers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in helping us navigate and get through the pandemic," Catlin said.

Actress Kathy Garver, known for playing Cissy in the television series "Family Affair," will serve as the parade's celebrity grand marshall. Garden Grove Police Chief Tom DaRé will serve as the parade theme grand marshall.

For more information, visit the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival website.