10 Things To Do with Your Kids at the Strawberry Festival
By BREE BRAGG
The Kokomo Post Staff
It’s almost here! The return of the Strawberry Festival to downtown Kokomo. This annual event is one that seems to get bigger and better every year and we can’t wait to experience everything offered at the festival this year. With that being said, you may be wondering what sort of things will be offered for children at the Strawberry Festival this year. Well, that’s what we are here for!
Here are 10 things you can do with your kids at the Strawberry Festival…
Eat all the strawberry things
OK, we’re stating the obvious here but it’s simply impossible to make a list of things to do at the strawberry festival without mentioning strawberries. Aside from the iconic strawberry shortcake, there will be lots of other strawberry treats to get your hands as well. Some of our favorite things returning items are the strawberry ice cream sandwiches from The Radish and the strawberry mac burger from The Coterie. We have a hard time believing your kids wouldn’t want to share delicious treats like these with you!
2. Free Petting Zoo with Crown Haven Center
This has been a popular attraction in the past for obvious reasons; kids love adorable, fluffy animals! Crown Haven Center always brings spectacular animals and highlights in the past have been giant bunnies and billy goats. Your kids will also have the opportunity to feed the animals at this petting zoo.
3. Tiny Tots Motorcycle Adventure Course with Abate of Howard County
Abate of Howard County will be setting up track for your kids to ride around on the tiny motorcycles with training wheels. Volunteers will be on site to outfit your children with helmets and teach them how to operate their motorcycles before they take off. ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) of Indiana is a nonprofit, safety, educational, charitable and advocacy motorcyclist organization. Its aims are to promote safety, protect rights and help others.
4. Books and Activities with the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library Bookmobile
The Kokomo-Howard Country Public Library has a TON in store for you and your family during the Strawberry Festival. The Bookmobile will be stationed downtown in the square and open for the public to walk through and rent books. While the Bookmobile will be offering a small activity and craft, you’ll want to make your way to the downtown library location for THREE floors of activities for children of all ages. From noon-8 p.m., the library will be kicking off its summer reading program, “Oceans of Possibilities.” It will offer ocean-themed activities and crafts inside of the library. Some other exciting things you can expect from the library is an art exhibit, free food, games and the first 1,000 people to come through will receive an autographed book of award-winning book “Starfish” from local author Lisa Fipps.
5. Football Toss and Corn Hole with the United States Army
You can expect the presence of some U.S. military members, specifically the United States Army during the Strawberry Festival this year. Don’t worry, they aren’t going to expect you to get down and give them 20 push-ups; it’s all fun and games as they come equipped with games like football toss and corn hole.
6. Face Painting and Strawberry-Themed Photo booth with Sandra Villafan
If there’s one thing in particular kids look for at any kind of fair or festival, it’s the face painting booth. There seems to be nothing more exciting to children than getting to proudly display a piece of art they got to pick out on their faces! Sandra Villafan will be on-sight during the festival offering face painting and a strawberry-themed photo booth, which is the perfect recipe for some Instagram-worthy photos!
7. Build-A-Bear Experience with Teddy Mountain
We have a feeling this attraction is going to be a popular one amongst the kids during the Strawberry Festival! Teddy Mountain will set up shop downtown in the square and welcomes you and your kids to come pick out, stuff and dress a pet to take home! Teddy Mountain and its build-a-bear experience is no stranger to other fairs and festivals around Indiana and we’re excited to have it here in Kokomo this year!
8. Dunk Tank
If you’ve ever been to the Strawberry Festival, you probably know there is a long-standing tradition of dunking local public figures in the dunk tank. The tradition carries on and your child will have the opportunity to dunk whoever has decided to brave the waters! Could it be our very own mayor? A head basketball coach? You’ll have to wait to find out!
9. Community Macrame Art Project with Artsapalooza Art Market
Artsapalooza will be making a big presence during the Strawberry Festival as it introduces 20 new pieces of art to Art Alley and hosts artist demonstrating different art techniques for the public’s viewing pleasure. The team will have something extra special planned this year and they are inviting the community to participate in a community art project in which kids of all ages will macrame welded rebar with bright colored cords.
10. Whipped Cream Challenge
Be on the look out while you’re roaming the festival grounds because you’ll probably notice Strawberry Festival volunteers walking around with sashes loaded with cans of whipped cream. Those cans aren’t for topping your shortcakes (although, we wouldn’t be mad if they did). They are offering you the chance to participate in the viral whipped cream challenge for a $1 donation. Attendees who accept the challenge will attempt to flip a dollop of whipped cream on the wrist into the air and into their mouths. The only question is, are you and your kids up for the challenge?
So, there you have it. Our list of the top 10 things we think you and your kids will enjoy this year at the Strawberry Festival. And, if those just don’t do it for you, don’t worry because there are more than 60 other vendors for you to enjoy!