Thousands Pack Happy Valley To Enjoy 85th Annual Strawberry Festival
- Jerry Sanchez, Sr.
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Maybe it wasn’t Strawberry Fields (forever), but it definitely was Strawberry Festival (now) when the Happy Valley Strawberry Festival, planted in 1942, sprang up once again on Saturday and Sunday, 5-23/24, 2026, at West Valley High School in Cottonwood, California.
If you were there, you probably chuckled with hilarity watching kids, even adults, burying their faces in bowls of strawberries, seeking their 15 minutes of fame, if not for money, but certainly for bragging rights and special memories. Or how ‘bout those sack races, one-leg-in-one-leg-out, hoppin’ like a bunny towards that (coveted!) finish line. Oh..my!
As usual, the strawberries were the main act, but an added treat, one of many, was the classic cars, pickups and motorcycle shows and the six classic rock/country bands that entertained throughout the weekend: They were: Night Magic+Momentum+Shakedown+
Whistlers Uncle+Jinx and Full Throttle.
Of course, the Happy Valley Strawberry Festival is a wonderful place to show off and sell handcrafted goods, or serve up something special (think hot dogs, tamales, egg rolls, pizza) to the masses. And with full bellies in tow, Happy Valley Strawberry Festival goers could experience fresh strawberries for sale, kids' horseback riding, pictures, fun, and surprise prizes for kids, courtesy of Barry and his friend, Blossom, who strolled the grounds dispensing happiness and joy.
The Happy Valley Community Foundation, formed in 1942 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the organizer and sponsor of the Happy Valley Strawberry Festival, with funds collected benefiting the residents of the Clear Creek Community Services District. Organizations and local non-profits that receive funds include K-12 schools, FFA, 4H Club, Farm Trail, the Cemetery Association, the fire department, and Little League, among others.
“This is a fundraiser for our community, bringing in tens of thousands of dollars… and it’s one of the biggest festivals that we’ve ever had, at least in recent memory,” remarked Steve Westaby, the president of the Happy Valley Community Foundation, “And it just keeps gettin’ better and better,” he concluded.
