STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

June 4, 5 & 6, 2026

Three days in June, full of jam packed fun!

Entertainment includes Live Bands in two separate tents, Miss Berry Princess pageant, Little Miss Shortcake pageant, Bolivar Main Street 250 Auction, Strawberry Eating Contest, Carnival Rides, Food and Drink Concessions, Vendors and Crafters, a 5K Run, and a Parade on Saturday.

See below for button links to main event pages.

Use the buttons below to link to individual Strawberry Festival pages

Berries in Bolivar!

Great fun for all! Carnival rides bouncing on the midway and the traditional fireman’s parade on Saturday are classic mainstays. A variety of live music, local and vendor food, contests and more make for a fantastic three days of strawberry fun every year! Thank you to all our sponsors, vendors and attendees who make this festival a success. We are hoping to see you at the 21st Annual Strawberry Festival in downtown Bolivar 2027!

Bands and beer in the adult tent
Miss Berry Princess Pageant
Little Miss Shortcake Pageant
Bolivar Main Street 250 Auction
Strawberry Eating Contest
Carnival Rides
Food and drink concessions
Vendors and crafters
Firemen’s Parade
Seedling Scamper/5k Run
STRAWBERRIES!

• Lockport Brewery
• Canal Street Diner
• Bolivar Lions Club
• Bolivar Army/Navy
• Towpath Tavern Bolivar
• The Commercial & Savings Bank
• Wallace & Associates
• Aultman Orrville Bolivar Center

Thank You to Our Berry and Seedling Sponsors

• Kimble
• USA Labels
• Tuscarawas Valley Ruritans

Thank You, Strawberry Festival Volunteers & Supporters
On behalf of Bolivar Main Street, thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Strawberry Festival such a tremendous success! A very special thank you goes to our dedicated co-chairs, Bob Smith and Kerry Miller, whose leadership and commitment made this event possible. We also extend our sincere appreciation to our committee chairs – Barbie Patterson, Ron Deal, Rich Potts and Mike Haueter – for their hard work, organization, and countless hours of planning. Thank you to Blooms Printing for putting together a fantastic program, and to the village of Bolivar and the Sheriff’s department for ensuring a safe and secure festival for all. We are grateful to the Bolivar Lions Club for providing golf cart shuttles and helping our guests get around with ease. And most importantly, thank you to all of our volunteers. Your time, energy and passion are what truly make this festival possible year after year. Because of each of you, the Strawberry Festival continues to bring our community together and remains a sweet success!

History of Bolivar Strawberry Festival

From 1974-1980 our little village of Bolivar held a Strawberry Festival downtown on Canal Street (then Central Avenue). The town merchants sponsored this event which, according to the local newspaper, brought in approximately 40,000 people at its highest point.

The Festival started with a Queen’s Ball on Friday night. Each year would bring a new Strawberry Festival Queen at the end of the ball. Queens must have been nominated and be at least 65 years old.

The Strawberry Festival resumed bright and early Saturday morning with a Raft Race on the Tuscarawas River. The race finished at the Route 212 Bridge in Wilkshire Hills. The Strawberry Festival continued downtown on Central Avenue with crafters, entertainment, dancing, a parade, a strawberry eating contest, and lots of food.

In 2005, Richard (Dick) LeBold revived the Bolivar Strawberry Festival under the Bolivar Renaissance Association. The event was held on Father’s Day weekend every June, and began with the Queen’s Ball and a new Strawberry Festival Queen and ended with a parade and strawberry eating contest.

Canal Street construction prohibited holding a festival in 2019. Following Dick’s passing in late 2019, the Renaissance Association was changed to Bolivar Main Street Association in 2020. Again, Strawberry Festival was not held that year, this time due to Covid19.

Since 2021 we’ve been able to continue many of the events held under the Renaissance. Additionally, each year we offer new events along with lots of yummy strawberry treats. Area businesses and clubs also provide different types of food and activities.

Rides, entertainment, a brew tent, and crafters round out the festival. A Little Miss Shortcake Pageant for 4-6 year old girls and a Miss Berry Princess for 7-9 year old girls as well as a 5-K Run and a Fireman’s Parade tops off the festival to make it a “Berry” great experience for the whole family.

Each year brings something new to the festival… you never know what will be added next. Come join us and see for yourself!