Long Grove Strawberry Festival kicks off this weekend
Historic Downtown Long Grove's annual Strawberry Festival is returning Friday, June 20, through Sunday, June 22. The area's premier outdoor festival for berry lovers features decadent strawberry-inspired treats, live entertainment and children's activities.
Local merchants and vendors selling their wares at the festival include:
• Strawberry blended creams, strawberry mocha frappés, strawberry Italian soda and wild strawberry iced tea from Beans & Leaves.
• Vegan and gluten-free strawberry popcorn from Long Grove Popcorn Shoppe.
• Chocolate dipped strawberries, strawberry fudge and strawberry kebabs from Ma & Pa's Candy.
• Original Italian strawberry ice, strawberry doughnuts and fresh strawberry apple pie at Long Grove Confectionery.
• Strawberry macaroons filled with butter cream and fresh strawberries or homemade strawberry shortcake sundaes with wild strawberry gelato, crème anglaise and homemade whipped cream from Sweet Whimsy Pastry Shop.
Plus, you can delight in strawberry-themed foods, drinks and merchandise from participating restaurants and shops throughout the weekend:
• Strawberry barbecue sauce and fresh strawberry lemonade at Smokin' T's.
• Chocolate covered strawberry tacos and strawberry bruschetta from The Chatterbox.
• Stuffed ravioli filled with fresh strawberries and ricotta courtesy of Enzo & Lucia's.
• Strawberry scones with strawberry butter, strawberry soufflé and chilled strawberry, cucumber and watercress soup at High Tea with Gerri.
• Shrimp and strawberry seviche, lamb with strawberry risotto, grilled pork loin with strawberry barbecue sauce, strawberry gazpacho and strawberry ice cream crepes from Long Grove Café Restaurant.
• Strawberry marshmallow pie, strawberry mango salsa chicken, caramelized strawberry onion burger and strawberry pepper jam turkey burgers at The Village Tavern.
• Strawberry Zinfandel balsamic glaze and strawberry white balsamic vinegar at The Olive Tap.
• Broken Earth strawberry wine from Paso Robles, courtesy of Broken Earth Winery.
In addition to all things strawberry, guests are invited to enjoy live entertainment at venues all over town, sip on beverages in the multiple beer gardens, participate in strawberry pie eating contests and stroll through the picturesque cobblestone streets. This is a family affair with plenty of children's activities, including rides and face painting.
The Long Grove Strawberry Festival opens Friday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $5, with all proceeds benefiting the Long Grove Business and Community Partners to support yearly programming and events.
For more information, visit www.visitlonggrove.com.
Entertainment
Main Stage Fountain Square
FRIDAY
2-3 p.m. West Side Winders
4-6 p.m. Honey and the 45's
SATURDAY
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lucy Smith's Autumn in Augusta
1-3 p.m. Contrabanda
3:30-5:30 p.m. Jin & Tonic
6-8 p.m. Cover Girl
SUNDAY
10 a.m.-Noon Wendy and DB
Noon-1 p.m. Long Grove Performing Arts Academy
1-3:30 p.m. Dave Agee Trio
4-6 p.m. 7th Heaven
Main Stage Towner Green
FRIDAY
2-3:30 p.m. Ameerah Tatum
4-6 p.m. Rick Lindy & The Wild Ones
SATURDAY
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Radio Disney
2-4:30 p.m. Stateline Band
5-7 p.m. Manic Rose
SUNDAY
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jimmy Barrett
2-3:30 p.m. Van Buren & Wells
4-6 p.m. Sweet Diezel Jenkins
The Gazebo at Beans & Leaves
FRIDAY
1-3 p.m. Mark Theodore
4-6 p.m. Reid Olson
SATURDAY
10 a.m.-Noon Back Porch Moon
1-3 p.m. Guys With Bad Eyez
4-6 p.m. Pete Jonsson & Cheryl Niemo
SUNDAY
10 a.m.-Noon Gospel Sing A Long
1-3 p.m. Prairie Sky
4-6 p.m. Erich McMann
The Lions Den Stage
FRIDAY
Noon-3 p.m. Mr. Frank
3-6 p.m. Ashley Werner
SATURDAY
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Radio Bandits
3-6 p.m. Cover Story
6:30-8 p.m. Van Buren & Wells
SUNDAY
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Scarring Party
3-6 p.m. White Saddle Band
The Long Grove Café
SATURDAY
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Two Easy
1-3 p.m. Van Buren & Wells
3:15-5:15 p.m. Smudge
5:30-8 p.m. Watch Out For Kenny
SUNDAY
11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Two Easy
1-3:45 p.m. Watch Out For Kenny
4-6 p.m. Van Buren & Wells
The Village Tavern
FRIDAY
6-10 p.m. Roger Pauly on Piano
SATURDAY
6:30-10 p.m. Live Music
The Covered Bridge
SATURDAY
Noon-2 p.m. Christina's Studio of Dance