Mattituck Strawberry Festival Kicks Off 71st Year Wednesday: What To Know

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NORTH FORK, NY — One of the most beloved events of the year returns Wednesday: The Mattituck Lions Club announced that the 71st Annual Mattituck Strawberry Festival is back for a five-day event.

Presented by Stony Brook Medicine, the festival will take place June 17 to June 21 at Strawberry Fields, located at 1105 North Road in Mattituck.

"Held annually over Father’s Day weekend, the Mattituck Strawberry Festival has become a signature community event drawing thousands of visitors from across Long Island and the tri-state area," organizers said. "Proceeds from the festival directly support the Mattituck Lions Club’s charitable initiatives, local community programs, scholarships, and service projects throughout the North Fork, Long Island, and beyond. "

This year’s festival includes family-friendly entertainment, carnival rides, live music, spectacular fireworks, artisan vendors, "and, of course, the festival’s world-famous strawberry shortcake topped with fresh local strawberries and homemade whipped cream," organizers said.

Festival festivities begin Wednesday, June 17 with the return of fan-favorite Hulling Night, proudly sponsored by M&T Bank, where local volunteers gather to prepare thousands of pounds of strawberries for the weekend ahead.

Wednesday evening will also feature the popular North Fork’s Got Talent competition presented by Kolb Mechanical, along with the opening of the midway and international food court provided by Reithoffer Shows.

Military flyover

New for 2026, festival-goers will also be treated to a special military flyover by the 106th Rescue Wing, based out of Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach at 7 p.m. to officially kick off the festival festivities.

The flyover, said Joe Doorhy of the Mattituck Lions Club, "is something that we've been trying to do for a couple of years. Last year, we were approved to have the flyover, but weather was not cooperative with us, so they had to cancel it then."

Paperwork for the flyover was filed online with the U.S. Air Force in Arlington, VA, he sad. After approval, an airbase is scheduled.

"We chose the 106th Rescue Wing because it's our local airbase," Doorhy said. "There will be a C130 aircraft and two Blackhawk helicopters flying at about 400 to 500 feet."

The flyover, Doorhy said, is the first-ever, in 71 years of the Strawberry Festival's history.

The NJROTC will be presenting the Color Guard, and the National Anthem will be sung at about 6:58 p.m., with the flyover scheduled for 7 p.m., Doorhy said. Approval from the Air Force included the promise of a recruiter onsite and an opening ceremony including the NJROTC, he said.

Rich Jernick, Doorhy said, is this year's festival chairman. "So, his festival will be known as the one with the flyover," Doorhy siad. "We are hoping to continue this tradition every year from now on."

Memories for Morgan

Also returning this year is the heartfelt “Memories for Morgan” program, proudly sponsored by North Fork Woodworks, offering local children facing social, medical, or emotional challenges the opportunity to enjoy the festival in a quieter, more welcoming environment before the grounds open to the public.

Beginning Thursday night, festival-goers will enjoy the first of three consecutive nights of spectacular fireworks, sponsored by Mattituck Environmental and Maggio Environmental. Guests can also explore a wide variety of arts and crafts vendors, local business exhibits, carnival attractions, and signature festival treats including chocolate-covered strawberries and refreshing strawberry daiquiris.

The festival’s entertainment lineup will once again feature live music and performances throughout the weekend:

Main Stage Entertainment Schedule

Wednesday, June 17

• North Fork’s Got Talent Show

Thursday, June 18

• 6:30 p.m. – Almost Eras: The Taylor Swift Experience

• 9:15 p.m. – Fireworks

Friday, June 19

• 3 p.m. – Southbound

• 7:30 p.m. – Fever Band

• 10:30 p.m. – Fireworks

Saturday, June 20

• 12:30 p.m. – Aqua Cherry

• 4 p.m. – Strawberry Queen Announcement / Check Presentations

• 5 p.m. – World Strawberry Shortcake Eating Championship presented with Major League Eating

• 7:30 p.m. – American Girl: A Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

• 10:30 p.m. – Fireworks

Sunday, June 21

• 1:30 p.m. – Coverland

Family Entertainment Area

Saturday, June 20

• 12 p.m. – Magic of Amore

• 1:30 p.m. – Magic of Amore

• 3 p.m. – Magic of Amore

Sunday, June 21

• 12 p.m. – Jester Jim

• 1:30 p.m. – Jester Jim

• 3 p.m. – Jester Jim

“The Strawberry Festival is more than just a summer tradition — it’s a celebration of everything that makes the North Fork special,” said Rich Jernick, festival chairman and 1st vice president of the Mattituck Lions Club. "From the volunteers and local businesses to the families who return year after year, this event brings our community together in an incredible way while helping us support important charitable causes across the region."

Festival admission information, entertainment schedules, ride pricing, parking details, and additional updates can be found at:

Mattituck Strawberry Festival official website

Follow the festival on social media:

Facebook: Mattituck Strawberry Festival

Instagram: @mattituck_strawberry_festival

TikTok: @mattituckstrawberryfest

The Mattituck Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service organization. Through charitable fundraising and community service initiatives, the club supports local families, scholarships, health care causes, youth programs, and numerous nonprofit organizations across the North Fork community.

Lions Clubs International is an international non-political service organization established originally in 1917 in Chicago, Illinois, by Melvin Jones. It is now headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois. It has over 47,000 local clubs with more than 1.4 million members in over countries around the world.