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Downtown Kokomo will once again welcome thousands of visitors as the Kokomo Strawberry Festival returns Friday, June 5, for its 28th year celebrating the start of summer.

The free festival runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. across 10 blocks of downtown Kokomo and will feature more than 220 vendors, live entertainment, kids’ activities, art experiences, and the event’s signature strawberry shortcake dessert. Organized by the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association, the festival serves as the organization’s only fundraiser and supports downtown revitalization efforts throughout the year.

“This festival has become such an important tradition for Kokomo,” said Casie Braden, downtown manager for the Greater Kokomo Alliance. “People come for the strawberry shortcake, but what makes the day special is seeing the whole community come together downtown. You see neighbors reconnecting, kids playing, local businesses thriving, and volunteers working side by side. It really feels like Kokomo.”

The festival began as a small two-hour gathering organized by Bell Telephone retirees before the Downtown Association took over the event in 1998. Since then, it has grown into one of Kokomo’s largest annual events, drawing more than 10,000 people each year.

This year’s Strawberry Festival will feature more than 220 vendors, with 27 of those offering food and beverages. It is the largest and most diverse vendor lineup in the event’s history, with everything from fair food, international cuisine, and strawberry desserts to handmade art, boutique shopping, live experiences, home services, kids’ activities, and local organizations.

Visitors will find dozens of creative strawberry-themed offerings throughout the festival, including strawberry shortcake, strawberry lemonade, chocolate-covered strawberries, specialty baked goods, themed crafts, artwork, candles, jewelry, apparel, and more.

Artsapalooza Art Market will once again join the festival lineup, bringing local artists, plein air painting, and interactive art activities into the downtown experience. Families will also find two dedicated kids’ activity areas, featuring bounce houses, face painting, games, fitness activities, hands-on experiences, and opportunities to meet local first responders.

The Kokomo Police Department plans to bring its SWAT vehicle downtown during the evening hours, while the Kokomo Fire Department will offer family-friendly demonstrations and vehicle displays throughout the event.

The festival’s signature strawberry shortcake dessert remains the centerpiece of the day. Organizers expect to serve:

• 7,500 fresh shortcakes baked by Tastefully Indiana

• Nearly 4,500 pounds of strawberries from Moore’s Pie Shop

• 375 gallons of vanilla ice cream from Scoops

• 400 large cans of whipped cream provided by Meijer

Desserts will be served from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., or until sold out. Strawberry shortcake tickets are $8 and will be available for purchase at the event. Cash and cards will be accepted.

More than 225 volunteers help make the festival possible each year, assisting with everything from dessert preparation and cashiering to cleanup and hospitality.

“I love how this event reflects the spirit of our community,” said Lori Dukes. “The Downtown Association is part of the Greater Kokomo Alliance, and the Strawberry Festival is one of the best examples of what happens when businesses, volunteers, artists, nonprofits, and residents all come together to support something bigger than themselves. It creates energy downtown and helps support the work happening there year-round.”

Festivalgoers are encouraged to come early, wear comfortable shoes, and plan to spend the day exploring downtown. Many vendors will accept cards, though organizers recommend bringing some cash as well.

Additional festival details, parking information, vendor lists, and DORA district information are available at kokomostrawberryfestival.com.

The Strawberry Festival is made possible many community-minded businesses and organizations, including title sponsor First Farmers Bank & Trust. Additional sponsors include Stellantis, Office Pride, Advanced Medical Imaging, Scoops Ice Cream, Moore’s Pie Shop, Tastefully Indiana, Meijer, Droplight, J & J Electric, Ascension St. Vincent, CrossFit Kokomo, Huston Electric, Indiana Heartland Federal Credit Union, and Redeemer Lutheran.