A Look Back: The History of the Festival
The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is steeped in local tradition, dating all the way back to 1958.
- The Vision: Organized by local public relations professional Tom Hoxie and the Chamber of Commerce, the festival was initially designed to unite the city’s seemingly divided east and west sides.
- The Inspiration: Long before modern suburban neighborhoods took over the landscape, strawberries were a primary crop farmed heavily across the region. The festival served as a vibrant celebration of Garden Grove’s rich agricultural roots.
- The Growth: What started in a vacant lot has grown into the second-largest community-sponsored event in the western United States, surpassed only by the Rose Parade. Over its 66-year run, the volunteer-led organization has donated more than $7 million to local charities, schools, and youth programs.
- The 2026 Theme: This year’s celebration features a special historic twist, operating under the national theme “Celebrating Our Nation’s 250th Anniversary”.
Meanwhile, the accompanying Strawberry Stomp 5K adds its own athletic tradition. It offers participants a chance to run or walk directly down the historic parade route to raise funds for the Sister City Association of Garden Grove, supporting student exchange programs with Anyang, South Korea.
Weekend Road Closures & Parking Restrictions…