PONCHATOULA, La. (WGNO) — The berries are in bloom and ripe for the picking for the 52nd annual Strawberry Festival.
Folks from far and wide have been attending what is now the “largest free harvest festival” in the state of Louisiana since 1972. The festivities help celebrate local strawberry farmers, non-profits and special communities.
WGNO crews will be on the grounds of Memorial Park in Ponchatoula on Friday, April 12, bringing live coverage of the entertainment, previews of the strawberry-themed sweets, merchandise and all the fun to have at the 2024 festival.
Here’s a look at what you need to know about about 2024 Strawberry Festival running from Friday, April 12 to Sunday, April 14.
2024 Strawberry Festival Royalty
Headed to Ponchatoula
From New Orleans:
Take the Causeway Bridge into Mandeville and proceed to Louisiana 22 west into Ponchatoula.
From Mandeville:
Take Louisiana 22 west into Ponchatoula.
From Covington/ Slidell:
Exit Interstate 12 Westbound at Louisiana 445 exit #47, proceed south to Louisiana 22, then continue west on Louisiana 22 into Ponchatoula.
From Baton Rouge:
Exit Interstate 12 Eastbound at Pumpkin Center exit #35, proceed south to Louisiana 22, then continue east on Louisiana 22 into Ponchatoula.
Gallery: 52nd Annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
Parade
The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 13. See the map below.
Gallery: 52 Annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
Entertainment
Friday, April 12
North Stage
🍓 5:30-7:30 p.m. — Clay Cormier & The Highway Boys
🍓 8:15-10:15 p.m. — PaperChase
South Stage
🍓 5:00-7:00 p.m. — 3rd Street band
🍓 7:45-9:45 p.m. — Yeah You Right Band
Saturday, April 13
North Stage
🍓 11:45-1:45 p.m. — Vic and the Boys
🍓 2:15-4:15 p.m. — Ferg’s Hwy
🍓 5:30-7:45 p.m. — The Peyton Falgoust Band
🍓 8:30-10:30 p.m. — Kings of Neon
South Stage
🍓 12:30-2:30 p.m. — Lindsey Cardinale
🍓 3:00-5:00 p.m. — The Eighties Experience
🍓 5:30-7:30 p.m. — The Dominos
🍓 8:00-10:00 p.m. — Thomas Cain
Sunday, April 14
North Stage
🍓 9:00 p.m.— Church Service
🍓 11:30-1:00 p.m.— Nashville South
🍓 1:30-3:30 p.m.— Tyler Kinchen & the Right Pieces
🍓 4:00-6:00 p.m.— The Phunky Monkeys
South Stage
🍓 11:00-12:30 p.m.— The Drunk Uncles
🍓 1:00-3:00 p.m.— Swampland Revival
🍓 3:30-5:30 p.m.— Three Thirty Seven
Festival Map
Rides and Tickets
Here is the ride schedule and ticket prices for the weekend
🍓 Friday, April 12: 12 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
🍓 Saturday, April 13: 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
🍓 Sunday, April 14: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Festival organizers say each ride with cost two to three tickets to ride. Armbands are $30 and can be used only on Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and after tickets will be required to ride.
All tickets can be purchased only on festival grounds and not in advance. Fest organizers say they are $1.50 each or $30 for a 20 ticket sheet.
Strawberry Eating Contest
Festival-goers who are hungry enough can eat their way to victory with the strawberry eating contest.
Two chances to compete at the North Stage:
🍓 Saturday, April 13: 1:45 p.m.
🍓 Sunday, April 14: 12:45 p.m.
Egg Toss
Attendees can get yolked up at he North Stage as they try their hand at the egg toss.
🍓 Sunday, April 14: 11:00 a.m.
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