LONG GROVE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – A beloved summer tradition is back in Long Grove this weekend, offering a feast of strawberry-themed delights, live entertainment and family-friendly fun.
Strawberry Fest runs Friday through Sunday in historic downtown Long Grove, featuring dozens of vendors selling everything from classic strawberry shortcake to more unique creations like strawberry root beer, popcorn, smoothies and cocktails.
“If they make a strawberry item, it’s probably gonna be somewhere in town,” said Ryan Messner, president of the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association. “You want chocolate-covered strawberries, you want fresh strawberries–we’ve got strawberry drinks for adults, strawberry drinks for children.”
In addition to berry-inspired bites, the festival includes a carnival, kids’ crafts, live music across multiple stages and the always-popular pie-eating contest.
“We’ll start with the kids, and then the parents come up, and it gets really competitive,” Messner said. “That is probably one of the most unique things to watch.”
Organizers expect crowds from across the Midwest, including visitors from Wisconsin and Indiana.
A shuttle from Buffalo Grove will run every 15 minutes on Saturday and Sunday to ease congestion, and misting stations will be available throughout town to help attendees stay cool in the heat.
Proceeds from the event help support ongoing improvements in Long Grove, including the installation of monument signs and the continued development of the town’s Covered Bridge Park.
Strawberry Fest hours are noon to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7 per day or $15 for a weekend pass. Children 12 and under are free.
For tickets and more information, visit longgrove.org/festivals/strawberry-fest.