For the last 25 years on the first Friday in June, thousands of people fill the streets of downtown for one day of family fun, entertainment and all the strawberries you could ever imagine.

From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 2, the community is welcome to gather together to celebrate what’s known to many as the event that marks the unofficial kick-off to summer in Kokomo.

Over 4,000 pounds of strawberries and 6,800 shortcakes came from local businesses including Moore’s Pie Shop, which had the honor of making the shortcakes and providing strawberries for this year. Also included are 103 tubs of vanilla ice cream from Glover’s and 200 cans of whipped cream from Meijer.

“We have been working on these shortcakes for the last three weeks,” said Brittany Sanchez, owner of Moore’s Pie Shop. “Pies were our day job and shortcakes were our night job! We are glad we were able to help out with the strawberries and shortcakes for this joyous occasion.”

The strawberry shortcakes that give the Strawberry Festival its name are $6 a person. They are available for presale at multiple businesses and on the day of the event, while supplies last.

“The Strawberry Festival is really the premier start of summer celebration for the Kokomo area. It’s a great place to reconnect with friends and family in a very fun and comfortable setting,” said Susan Alexander, manager of the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association.

For the second year, this annual event also doubles as a celebration of the arts in downtown Kokomo with the Artsapalooza Arts Festival & Experience. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase art from local vendors and artists as well as participate in a community art project partnered with the New Media Arts & Technology Program at Indiana University Kokomo.

***The Base of the Pool Noodle Sculpture***
**Photo Provided** | *Cybil Johnson*

Alexander worked together with Professor Gregory Steele and students Jimmy Murphy and Cybil Johnson to create a piece of customizable public art. The team built a metal platform that provides a base for a changeable piece of public art. At the event, attendees are given pool noodles to add or remove from the piece making it ever-changing and customizable by the public.

There will also be a guided macrame workshop from local artist Sheila Haworth, also known as the “Knotty Mama,” to create a collaborative woven masterpiece.

Another new piece of this year’s event is a “plain air painting.” Artists of all levels are invited to check in from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. to set up a canvas and easel and capture a scene from downtown Kokomo. The pieces will be juried and cash prizes will be awarded. There will be paints and canvases provided while supplies last. Registration is free and open to the public.

“I think that will be a neat scene, as you’re walking through downtown and visiting all of our wonderful vendors to just see these artists on the side painting the scene,” said Alexander.

Children are also able to participate in ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) of Indiana’s motorcycle safety course with miniature training-wheeled motorized bikes, face painting, giant yard games and activities to kick off the summer reading program at the library, a petting zoo and more.

Throughout downtown, there will be 17 food trucks serving strawberry and non-strawberry treats, including The Coterie, Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream, Georgia’s Kitchen, Hawg Heaven, Home Team Ice Cream, Sun King Kokomo, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, Ubuntu Foodbus by Bind Cafe and more!

“People should come hungry because every kind of food is available. Including Philly cheese steaks, funnel cakes, tacos, burgers, ice cream, bbq, just everything,” said Alexander.

The Coterie, Sun King Kokomo, Whyte Horse Winery and The Booze Buggy will all be in attendance with strawberry cocktails, mocktails, beers, wines and ciders available for purchase for guests 21 and older.

Throughout the event, live music will fill the streets of downtown from performances by artists at Rhum Academy of Music.

For more information on the festival, click here.

Presale Ticket Info:

• First Farmers Bank & Trust locations
• Kokomo-Howard County Public Library’s Main Branch, 200 N. Union St., Kokomo
• Greater Kokomo Downtown Association at Inventrek Tech Park, 700 E. Firmin St., Kokomo

Rhum Academy of Music Schedule:

11 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. Nick Johnson, Jen Bird, The Rhum Family, Hailey Gillem and Ione Wallsmith
3:20 to 9 p.m. Asia Newby, Sami Lightsey, Erin Soutar, Bekah Cripe and Kokomo Park Band
6 p.m. Owen, Sam, Zion; Gavin, Viola; Shayden Smith; Jewel Jasay
7:25 p.m. Hudson, Kadin, Levi, Arden
8 to 9 p.m. Barrelhouse

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