The Lebanon Strawberry Festival

The Strawberry Festival is a deeply rooted tradition for so many Lebanon families--dating back for generations. The Lebanon Strawberry Festival is the second oldest festival in Oregon, second only to Portland’s famed Rose Festival. The Lebanon Strawberry Festival is documented by the state of Oregon as an Oregon Heritage tradition for its long history in Lebanon dating back to 1909!

The festival is held during the first full weekend in June at Cheadle Lake Park, and it hosts approximately 30,000-40,000 visitors throughout the weekend. Attendees enjoy main stage entertainment, 2 Parades (the Grand parade is one of the largest in Oregon featuring 130+ floats and is 2.5 miles long), a 5k Run and Walk, The world’s largest strawberry shortcake -- served for free on Saturday -- until it is gone, a carnival, vendors, and All Heroes Day to honor military veterans and first responders. There are two courts, one that is five senior high school girls, and a junior court made up of second grade girls representing all of the elementary schools in Lebanon. The queen’s coronation takes place on Thursday evening. For more information about the courts visit: facebook.com/lebanonstrawberrycourt.

Additional events include The Tour of Strawberries, where local business and homes are decorated in-keeping with the theme for the year (the 2023 theme is Peace, Love & Strawberries) as well as family fun activities at the festival, fireworks on Saturday night and of course, mascots.

The Lebanon Strawberry Festival is made possible entirely by volunteers. There is not a single paid staff member, and there are over 150 volunteers. Every person on the board, or at the grounds during the festival is a volunteer including the trained, Oregon State certified security team. The Operations Board of Directors is made up of 36 dedicated individuals who invest over 4800 volunteer hours each year from September until June.

The Lebanon Strawberry Festival Senior Court spends a great deal of time from January until June going to all the schools, nursing homes and youth organizations, and meeting with members of the community. They also visit some of the sponsors and do community activities.

As of this writing, a few of the events are yet to be determined. For current information as the festival gets closer, visit LebanonStrawberryFest.com

Schedule of Events

THURSDAY NIGHT

Gates open 4:00pm - 11:00pm

Veteran's Presentation: 5:00pm

Coronation: 5:30pm

FRIDAY

Junior Parade: 2:30pm downtown

Gates open: 3:00pm - midnight

SATURDAY

Run/Walk: 9:00am starting at American Legion.

Grand Parade: 11:00am - starts at The American Legion and ends at Market St.

Gates open 1:00pm - Midnight

Fireworks: 10:30pm

SUNDAY

Transform Lebanon Church Service: 10:30am

Gates open 12:00pm - 5:00pm

OTHER EVENTS TO CONSIDER

Lebanon Optimist Club's Pancake

Breakfast: start your Saturday off right with a pancake breakfast at Linn Lanes' parking lot! The Optimist club starts serving up pancakes, eggs, and ham bright and early before the Grand Parade starts. For more info, check in with the Optimist Club at their website: lebanonoptimistclub.blogspot.com

Lebanon Garden Club's Flower Show

Featuring Art and Quilts: held Friday and Saturday of the Strawberry Festival, the Flower Show is another great event taking place downtown. Santiam Place Event Hall after the parades and take a look!

Napa Strawberry Cup at Willamette Speedway: If you've never been to a race on the dirt track of Willamette Speedway, the Napa Strawberry Cup is a great race to check out! Held Saturday night during Strawberry Festival, it's a great way to finish off the day and is fun for the whole family! Find out more at: www.trophymotorsports.com

Strawberry Century Bike Ride: Brought to you by the Santiam Spokes Bicycle Club, the Strawberry Century is held the Saturday after Festival, and is an over quarter-century long tradition now. With rides from 13 miles clear up to 100 miles, there are route options for every skill level. Register or find out more information at: www.santiamspokes.net

Lebanon Square Circlers Dances: The Square Circlers are a square dancing club in Lebanon, and are always one of the noteworthy entries in the Grand Parade! They also host dances during Strawberry Festival weekend for the public to enjoy. Find out what they have in store for the year at their website: www.lebanonsquarecirclers.com