PONCHATOULA, La. (NOLA WEEKEND) - As festival season kicks into high gear, the celebration of Louisiana’s favorite red fruit is set to return to the North Shore.
Organizers for the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival released the full 2023 schedule for its 51st year at Memorial Park in Ponchatoula, Louisiana from April 14 to April 16.
The three-day outdoor festival centered around Louisiana’s strawberry season shows off vendor booths, amusement rides, live entertainment, a state-level beauty pageant, a 10K road race and a parade. The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is also one of the state’s largest free events.
The 2023 music lineup includes Tyler Kinchen and the Right Pieces, Nashville South, The Phunkey Monkeys, Souled Out, Parish County Line, Duckes of Country and the Yeah You Right Band, among other acts.
In addition to the music acts, the festival lineup includes activities like an egg toss, strawberry auction and strawberry eating contests. The parade is scheduled to roll through downtown Ponchatoula at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 15.
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The Ponchatoula Police Department also released a map showing parking information for the areas nearest the festival grounds to help festival-goers plan accordingly.
Last month, festival organizers unveiled the poster for this year’s event created by featured artist Mandy Mae Poche. The poster depicts a Pelican wearing a strawberry-flower crown in vibrant colors.
The organizers’ mission is to produce an event with an all-volunteer board and support non-profit organizations. The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival also works to preserve the Louisiana strawberry industry and its heritage.
For more information about the festival and a schedule of events, visit the festival’s website here.
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