PONCHATOULA, La. (WGNO) – Louisiana’s largest free harvest festival will begin again this spring in the strawberry capital of the world. That’s right, we’re talking about the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, sponsored by WGNO!
This year marks the 51st anniversary of the first Strawberry Festival, which began in 1972. At the time, the parade had a budget of $500 and attracted about 15,000 people. Today, the parade welcomes an estimated 300,000 visitors with a budget of over $300,000. Talk about humble beginnings!
WGNO staff will be attending the parade live on Friday, April 14 at 5 and 6 p.m. Stop by and say hello!
In the meantime, here’s what to expect at this year’s Strawberry Fest.
Strawberry Festival parade
The Strawberry Festival Parade begins at 9:30am on Saturday 15 April. See map below.
Entertainment
FRIDAY 14 APRIL
NORTH STEP
- 17:30-19:30 Clay Cormier and the Highway Boys
- 8:15 p.m. – 10:15 p.m Soulless
SOUTH STAGE
- 17:00-19:00 3rd Street Band
- 19:45-21:45 Yes, you have the right band
SATURDAY 15 APRIL
NORTH STEP
- 11:00 O’CLOCK Introducing Strawberry Royalty
- 1:45 p.m Announcing the parade winners
- 1:45-2:15 p.m Strawberry Eating Contest
- 11:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m Ferg’s Highway
- 2:15-4:15 p.m Beaucoop Boogie
- 16:15-16:30 egg toss
- 17:30-19:45 The dominoes
- 20:30-22:30 dukes of the country
SOUTH STAGE
- 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m Lindsey Cardinale
- 15:00-17:00 The Experience Band of the Eighties
- 17:30-19:30 Thomas Cain
- 20:00-22:00 parish line
SUNDAY 16 APRIL
NORTH STEP
- 9:00 AM church service
- 11:00-11:15 a.m egg toss
- 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m Nashville South
- 13:00-13:30 Strawberry Eating Contest
- 1:30-3:30 p.m no idea band
- 16:00-18:00 The Phunky Monkeys
SOUTH STAGE
- 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m Will Vance
- 13:00-15:00 Peyton Falgoust Band
- 3:30pm-5:30pm Tyler Kinchen and the right pieces
festival card
rides and tickets
Here is the Strawberry Fest timetable:
- FRIDAY, 14.4.: 12:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m
- SATURDAY, 15.4.: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m
- SUNDAY, 16.4.: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m
Officials say the ride can cost anywhere from three to five tickets. Tickets are only sold at the festival site and are $1.50 for one or $30 for a wristband.
Wristbands can only be used on Fridays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. All other times require tickets.
Strawberry Eating Contest
What would the Strawberry Fest be without the classic strawberry eating contest? Hungry festival-goers gather at the North Stage (see map above) for a fresh taste of spring and summer.
Time schedule
- SATURDAY, 15.4.: 1:45 p.m
- SUNDAY, 16.4.: 1:00 pm
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