Cedarburg celebrates the strawberry with art, music, food and fun

FOR 21 years, Cedarburg celebrates the arrival of summer with a festival dedicated to one of the state’s favorite products – the strawberry.

Cedarburg’s Strawberry Festival, celebrated June 24 and 25 this year, is one of the historic city’s three major festivals, bringing the berry to an increasing number of visitors in more and more ways every year. With Cedarburg’s main street (Washington Ave.) blocked to motor traffic for two days, the festival has become even more family-friendly.

At the top of the list of festival attributes are edibles – strawberries by the quart and in every desert imaginable from shortcake to crepes, pie, slush, Shaum tortes, candy and ice cream. For adults, there is Cedar Creek Winery’s Strawberry Blush Wine, available by the glass or by the bottle.

Along Washington Ave. from the Stagecoach Inn to the Cedar Creek Settlement, are Arts On The Avenue events: Cedar Creek Settlement’s Art Fair, Ozaukee Art Center’s Fine Art Fair, and the Fine Art Fair at Cedarburg Cultural Center.

Visitors to the festival also have a unique opportunity to watch artists at work in the Sixth Annual Plein Air Painting event. Artists from throughout the region will be painting subjects or scenes in or near the historic district of downtown Cedarburg and must start and complete their work “en plein air” or outdoors during the painting period from June 16-23. The paintings will be sold in a silent auction at the Cedarburg Cultural Center during the festival.

As with all Cedarburg festivals, events for children and the whole family are scheduled both Saturday and Sunday. At 10:30 a.m. Saturday, the Ozaukee Humane Society presents its Pet Talent Show and from noon until 2 p.m. both days, The Festival Kids Corner will showcase magician Bruce Hetzler, a paintable mural, kids performance stage and carnival games. Strawberry contests are held for shortcake eating, bubblegum blowing, and the “Berry Bob.”

Lively music accompanies the fun, with bands playing top forty, bluegrass and rock ‘n roll. Races include a 5K run/walk on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and later the Cedar Quacker 500 rubber-duck race on Cedar Creek.

Parking is available on streets to the east and west of Washington Avenue. The walk is short to Washington Avenue, but a hayride shuttle also is available.

Cedarburg is located just 20 minutes north of Milwaukee. Take I-43 north to exit 89, west on Hwy. C, north at Washington Ave. to the Historic District. For information, phone 262-377-9620, 888-894-4001 or visit www.cedarburgfestivals.org.