Last Saturday (April 11th), I made the hour-long drive from campus to the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival and honestly, it turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly fun days of the semester. As someone whose favorite fruit is strawberries, my expectations were already high, but the festival somehow managed to exceed them in every way.
From the moment we arrived, it felt like we had stepped into a strawberry lover’s dream. The entire main street was closed off and transformed into a lively stretch of vendors. The vendors ranged from college greek life organizations to family farms. Everywhere we turned there was someone new to try, some being a little crazier than others. And when I say there was strawberry everything, I mean everything. Within minutes of arriving, someone handed us samples of strawberry egg rolls, which I admittedly skipped, but my friends insisted they were surprisingly delicious.
One of the standout treats of the day was a vendor selling “Dubai chocolate strawberries,” a layered dessert with fresh strawberries, rich chocolate, pistachio cream, and crispy kataifi. It was indulgent in the best way and easily one of the most memorable bites of the day. We also tried strawberry cake balls that were incredibly fresh and moist. My friends grabbed frozen strawberry lemonade that was perfect for cooling off in the Louisiana heat.
What really set the food apart was how fresh everything tasted. Many vendors were using locally picked strawberries, which made a noticeable difference. Even the classics felt elevated. There were countless versions of strawberry shortcake, each with its own twist, making it fun to compare and find a favorite. And then there were the more unexpected creations: deep fried strawberries and even strawberry chicken wings, which perfectly captured the festival’s energy.
Of course it wasn’t all strawberries. The festival also had plenty of classic fair food like pizza, corn dogs, mac and cheese, and more, so there was something for everyone. It would honestly be difficult to leave hungry.
Before heading home, we made sure to grab containers of fresh strawberries to bring back arguably the simplest but most satisfying purchase of the day.
Overall, the Pontchatoula Strawberry Festival is more than just a food event, it’s a full experience. Between the endless strawberry creations, the lively entertainment, and the wholesome community feel, it’s the kind of day that feels both exciting and comforting at the same time. If you ever get the chance to go, it’s absolutely worth it, for the food, the fun, and the memories you’ll definitely leave with!
