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.
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
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.
The annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. See the map below.
| 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 |
🍓 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
🍓5 p.m. – 7 p.m. — Rhythm Chasers
🍓7:54 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. — Yea You Right Band
🍓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
🍓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
🍓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
🍓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
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.
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.
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.
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