San Juan Capistrano Strawberry Picking Festival

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — The inaugural Spring Strawberry TASTE Festival, the first of three seasonal harvest festivals that will occur annually during spring, summer, and fall, was announced by the Ecology Center of San Juan Capistrano.

The Strawberry TASTE Festival is set to take place every Saturday and Sunday beginning on April 4, and ending on May 10.

The docent-led experience will take visitors of all ages on a hands-on, multi-sensory journey of art and exploration into the Strawberry. A 30-minute educational walking tour will feature interactive museum-like exhibits, large-scale art installations by world-class artists, and strawberry-themed creative experiences involving sight, sound, taste and touch.

Visitors will learn how strawberries are grown and produced, sample locally made strawberry products, and create art inspired by strawberries. The guided tour will culminate in the field where participants can explore the recently expanded farm acreage of The Ecology Center, sample five varieties of strawberries right off the vine, and pick their own strawberries to take home for $5 per pound.

“The experiential TASTE Festivals will encourage hands-on connection to the earth and an awareness around seasonality, something that we’ve all lost track of,” said Evan Marks, founder and executive director of The Ecology Center. “We can’t wait to take our neighbors on a bountiful journey that brings together all of the senses with storytelling elements and interactive surprises that will inspire creativity.”

Strawberry Spring TASTE Festival will take place every Saturday and Sunday from April 4 to May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A time slot reservation must be made in advance. Tickets to the Instagram-worthy festival are $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. Tickets for members are $8 adults and $3 kids 12 and under. Children two and under are free. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags and containers to harvest the strawberries.

Visit www.theecologycenter.com/taste for tickets.