Strawberry Festival back in Vista on Sunday
The annual Strawberry Festival returns to historic downtown Vista on Sunday. The event, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., features hundreds of vendors, food, a beer garden, crafts and a 5K run and kids runs, along with contests, a kids play zone with inflatables and attractions.
There will be entertainment on several stages. The Strawberry Run 5K begins at 7:30 a.m., the quarter-mile Kids Run at 8:30 a.m. and the 1-mile Kids Run at 8:40 a.m. Here’s a lineup of contests:
Beer Stein Holding Contest: Ten contestants will hold a 32-once mug with a straight arm for as long as they can. Winners get souvenir pilsners. No cost to enter. This contest runs at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Strawberry Costume Contest: Three age groups will compete: 2 and under; 3-5; and over 6. Winners get prize baskets. Free entry.
Pie-Eating Contest: The contest is at noon at the TriCity Medical Center Main Stage and is broken into age groups, so kids and adults of all ages can compete. Free; no pre-registration is required. At 3:30 p.m. there will be the annual Whole Pie Eating Contest. Free. Contestants will be drawn randomly from those who want to participate.
Frozen T-Shirt Contest: Competitors try to unravel a wadded-up frozen T-shirt. The first person to put on the shirt wins. All participants get to keep the shirt. Winner gets an “I Strawberry Vista” T-shirt. The competition is at 1:30 p.m. at the Beer Garden Stage. No pre-registration required.
“Little Ms. Strawberry Shortcake” Contest: The contest has three age categories and begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Tri-City Medical Center Main Stage. Cost to participate is $10. Register on site. There are prizes for all participants and prize baskets for the top three winners.
Poster Contest: The theme of the artwork should reflect the flavor and spirit of the Vista Strawberry Festival.
Admission to the festival is free. Free shuttle service starts at 6:30 a.m. at the North County Courthouse; there will be an additional shuttle starting at 10 a.m. from Vista High School (running every 15 minutes).
Visit vistastrawberryfest.com for more information.