Time to ‘jam’ at 53rd annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

PONCHATOULA, La. (WGNO) — It’s that “berry” important time of the year again to celebrate the 2025 Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival.

Louisiana’s “largest free harvest festival” has returned, bringing with it more red berries, friends, food and fun since its existence in 1972. The festivities celebrate local strawberry farmers, non-profits and special communities.

Here’s a look at what you need to know about the festivities running from Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 13.

Did you know?

Ponchatoula was deemed the Strawberry Capital of the World.

According to the Strawberry Festival website, the town was given the title in 1968 after an ordinance filed by then City Councilman Dr. Charles H. Gideon. Ultimately removing the title from the city of Hammond.

In Gideon’s research, he discovered that “in 1967, Ponchatoula has shipped 194 railroad carloads of strawberries compared to Hammond’s 17.”

“By obtaining the title, the pride has been restored to the citizens and the farmers who grow the luscious fruit and set the stage for second largest and most successful festival in the state of Louisiana, The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival.”
Dr. Charles H. Gideon, City Councilman, 1966-1972

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.

Parade

The annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. See the map below.

Vendors

A New Beginning Ministry	Delta Tau Delta Fraternity	Ponchatoula Knights of Columbus
A.G.A.P.E. Project	First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula	Ponchatoula Masters Club
A Touch of Class Boosters	Hammond High Magnet School Soccer Team	Ponchatoula Rotary Club
Akindelas Fraternity	Kappa Sigma Fraternity	Redemption Christian Center
Albany Masonic Lodge	Kid’s Sports, Inc.	Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority
Annie Bessie Foundation	Louisiana Shockers Fast Pitch Softball	Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity Alumni
A’Reya’s Angels	Louisiana State Police	Special Olympics Louisiana Northshore
Blood River Church of God	Louisiana Swarm Softball	Strength Outcomes with Autism Resources
Boy Scouts of America Troop 100	More than Fore, Inc.	Swamp Elite Retreat
Boy Scouts of America Troop 170	Ponchatoula High School Band	Tangipahoa Parish Fair Association
Boy Scouts of America Troop 172	Ponchatoula High School Future Farmers of America	Theta Phi Alpha Sorority
Breaux Bridge Junior High Booster Club	Ponchatoula High School Key Club	Totus Tuus Leadership Foundation Conquest Youth
Challenge Girls Club	Ponchatoula High School Softball	Trinity Baptist Church
Charlie Landry Foundation	Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce	Trojan Elite Track Club
Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament	Ponchatoula Jaycees	Unity Christian Fellowship
Courtney Christian School	Ponchatoula Junior High	Youth’s Entering in the Spirit
DC Reeves Elementary School	Ponchatoula Kiwanis Club	Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Entertainment

Friday, April 11

North Stage

🍓 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. — 3rd Street Band

🍓5:15 – 7:15 p.m. — Clay Cormier & The Highway Boys

🍓8 p.m. – 10 p.m. — Kings of Neon

South Stage

🍓5 p.m. – 7 p.m. — Rhythm Chasers

🍓7:54 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. — Yea You Right Band

Saturday, April 12

North Stage

🍓11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. — Nola Rouge

🍓2:20 – 4:30 p.m. — The Brittany Jenkins Band

🍓5:15 – 7:15 p.m. — The Peyton Falgoust Band

🍓8:00- 10:00 p.m. — PaperChase

South Stage

🍓12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Lindsey Cardinale

🍓2:30 – 4:30 p.m. — Tyler Kinchen & the Right Pieces

🍓5:00 -7:00 p.m. — The Dominos

🍓 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. — Thomas Cain

Sunday, April 13

North Stage

🍓9:00 a.m. — Church Service

🍓11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. — Nashville South

🍓2:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. — Spank the Monkey

🍓 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. — Mixed Nuts

South Stage

🍓12:00 – 1:30 p.m. — The Drunk Uncles

🍓2:00 – 4:00 p.m. — Swampland Revival

🍓4:30 – 6:30 p.m. — Rouge Krewe

Festival Map

Rides and Tickets

Here is the ride schedule and ticket prices for the weekend

🍓 Friday, April 11: 12 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

🍓 Saturday, April 12: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.

🍓 Sunday, April 13: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Each ride will 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. The cost is $1.50 each or $30 for a 20-ticket sheet.

Strawberry Eating Contest

Festivalgoers 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 12: 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

🍓 Sunday, April 13: 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Egg Toss

Attendees can get “yolked” up at the South Stage as they try their hand at the egg toss.

🍓 Sunday, April 13: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

WGNO crews will be on the grounds of Memorial Park in Ponchatoula on Friday, April 11, bringing live coverage of the entertainment, previews of the strawberry-themed sweets, merchandise and all the fun to have at the 2025 festival.

Latest Posts