‘Great family affair’: 2026 Kirtland Strawberry Festival set to kick off
Published by: The News-Herald
Original article found here.
Live music acts, rides, kids’ activities and a heaping of strawberry foods will be coming to the Kirtland Schools campus this week for the annual Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival.
The festival kicks off at the 9252 Chillicothe Road campus on the evening of June 18 and continues through June 20. It is free to the public.
The Kirtland Kiwanis website said that the Strawberry Festival will feature “strawberry shortcakes, sundaes, supremes and chocolate-covered strawberries” each day. Other daily activities include rides, music, lemonade, food, a photo area, Kiddie Land entertainment, strawberry eating contests, crafts and a commercial area.
“It’s kind of a nice time to get together, enjoy family and community and some good food and some fun,” said Kirtland Kiwanis President Kent Packer.
The festival’s first night runs from 5-10 p.m. on June 18. The Thursday evening festivities include the national anthem, a trivia contest, a magician for the Kiddie Land area and a performance from the Kelle Carney Trio band.
On June 19, visitors can stop by from 3-11 p.m. The Friday schedule is capped off by a performance from the Top Dog band.
The festival’s annual parade also marches through Kirtland on Friday, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Joseph Street and Chillicothe Road. It runs west along Joseph Street, up Elm and Maple streets, and down Chillicothe Road to the school campus.
Anyone interested in participating can arrive at 5:30 p.m. The website said participants can distribute candy, goodies or information, but must toss underhand.
“Lots of people gather on the lawns,” Packer said. “It’s not a huge parade but it’s fun, and it’s kind of a local affair.”
The festival’s final day runs from noon-11 p.m. on Saturday. Kirtland Robotics will provide demonstrations in the Kirtland Elementary School gym until 8 p.m. There will also be a sidewalk art contest, the Miss Kirtland contest, performances at Kiddie Land and live music.
A full schedule can be found at kirtlandkiwanis.org/strawberry-festival.
“It’s a great family affair,” Packer said.
The festival is also a fundraising event for Kirtland Kiwanis. He said the group supports local schools, youth sports programs, scholarships, veterans and senior citizens. It also works on projects throughout the city, including improvements to parks and maintenance of city signage.
“So, we’re trying to weave together different parts of the community and supporting and bringing together the community to promote our youth and our elderly and also the underprivileged,” Packer said.
He added that the Strawberry Festival also brings benefits beyond fundraising.
“I’ve often said, even if we don’t raise any money, it’s a great activity that helps us promote our community and promote the relationships,” Packer said.
Kirtland will also be home to the Kirtland Heritage 5K and Fun Walk on the morning of June 20, held as part of the Kirtland Heritage Days. Race registration opens at 7 a.m. that morning at Kirtland Community of Christ, 9017 Chillicothe Road. Instructions start at 8:15 a.m. and the event begins at 8:30 a.m.
Race registration is available until the day of the event at runsignup.com/Race/OH/Kirtland/KirtlandHeritageRun.
Heritage Days also includes touch a truck and pancake breakfast events at 9 a.m. on Saturday, and a concert at 7 p.m. that night. Also scheduled during Heritage Days is a Friday devotional event with speakers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Security rules
The Kirtland Police Department recently provided more information on traffic impacts and a security plan for the Strawberry Festival.
The department said in a news release that “all festivalgoers and bags are subject to being searched prior to entry.”
It added that minors who live outside of the Kirtland School District will not be able to enter the event after 8 p.m. without a parent.
Visitors are also prohibited from bringing weapons, including pocket knives and self-defense sprays; flammable items or liquids; markers, pens or spray paint; outside food or drinks; animals, except for service animals that assist people with disabilities; and laser pens, laser pointers or focused light devices.
Hoods or face masks cannot be worn unless medically necessary, the release added.
The department added on Facebook that there will be “temporary road closures and traffic detours” during the parade. It also asked for “patience and cooperation with increased traffic” during the festival weekend.