FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2026 …

let’s get this party started!

In Kokomo, summer starts with strawberry shortcake! The Kokomo Strawberry Festival is our official kick-off to summer and one of the community’s favorite traditions. Thousands head to downtown Kokomo on the first Friday of June for for a full day of strawberry shortcake, live music, delicious food, handmade art, and family fun.

And getting involved in all the fun starts long before the summer sun starts shining! While all of our vendor spots for the 2026 festival and arts market are full, we are still looking for volunteers! Click here to register as a volunteer

If you’d like to express interest in becoming a vendor for the 2027 festival, contact Casie Braden via email here.

Scroll through the images to learn what you can expect!

The Strawberry Festival is so much more than shortcake!

There’s something for everyone at the Strawberry Festival.

Explore booths filled with food, artisan goods, handmade gifts, and festival favorites. Enjoy live music and entertainment showcasing local talent throughout downtown. Discover a juried collection of fine art and crafts at the Artsapalooza Art Market.

Kids and families can jump into hands-on art activities and play zones, including the popular ABATE Tiny Tots Motorcycle Experience. Plus, thanks to DORA, enjoy craft beer and cocktails as you stroll the walkable festival footprint.

Whether you’re shopping, snacking, sipping, or soaking up the sunshine, the 2026 Kokomo Strawberry Festival is the place to be on Friday, June 5, 2026!

The Strawberry Festival is more than a fun tradition.

The event is the only fundraiser for the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association. Proceeds directly support our downtown revitalization efforts, including beautification projects, small business support, and programming that draws people downtown year-round. A vibrant downtown benefits the entire community.

It helps attract visitors, boosts the local economy, and creates a sense of pride for those who live here.
It’s a great example of the community coming together for the community. Businesses, volunteers, and attendees all play a role in making it successful.

This year’s festival vendors and activities

Explore the full vendor lineup below to discover food and drink vendors, artisan shopping, community booths, activities, health resources, and more featured throughout this year’s festival.

Activities

Community First Bank of Indiana
Interactive dunk tank fundraiser supporting local nonprofits.

DADCAMP
Games for children and family engagement plus program information.

Daily Whimsies Face Painting
Professional face painting services.
🍓 Strawberry face designs available.

Draven Marie Makeup Artist LLC
Face painting services.
🍓 Strawberry-themed designs.

Henna Forte
Henna body art services.

Urban Bear Den
Build-your-own stuffed animal experience.
🍓 Strawberry scents and clothing.

LOOKING BACK AT THE 2025 FESTIVAL!

A Sweet Start to Summer

Thousands headed to downtown Kokomo on Friday, June 6, 2025, for the Strawberry Festival. Thank you to all who came out to celebrate with us and a big shoutout to our sponsors, vendors, and volunteers who made the day possible.

Check out the video below of all the fun that we had at the 2025 event!

2025 FESTIVAL BY THE NUMBERS

7,000

Number of delicious strawberry shortcake desserts served. To accomplish that, festivalgoers ate their way through:

7,000 fresh shortcakes  | 4,000 pounds of strawberries | 300 gallons of ice cream | 350 large cans of whipped cream

185

The total vendors in attendance at the 2025 event. That number is up from 145 at the previous year’s festival and it includes 39 food vendors!

150+

The total number of event volunteers who help with everything from dessert prep and cashiering to keeping the festival clean and welcoming.

They do it all: ingredients, cashier, serve up the desserts, keep the lines moving, host the dining tent, keep the festival very clean.

This community event is an initiative of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance and the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association.
It’s made possible through the generous support of our flagship sponsor, First Farmers Bank & Trust.