The Downtown Fayetteville Coalition presents its second Fayetteville Strawberry Festival on the historic square May 18 from 12-6 p.m. At this free festival, expect a pie competition, food from local farms and bakeries, art vendors, live music from local bands Arkansauce, Copper Flats, Ashtyn Barbaree, and more.
“We will have over 15 dessert vendors selling everything from strawberry seasoned nuts, candy, chocolate covered, fried pies, breads, cupcakes, lemonades, and pastries, plus local farms will be selling bags of fresh picked strawberries for you to eat on-site,” says Kelly Rich, executive director of the Downtown Fayetteville Coalition. “Last year we also had art vendors with strawberries themed merchandise, and several of our local retail shops brought in strawberry T-shirts and merchandise. Our bars and restaurants sold strawberry menu items and cocktails to help celebrate with us at the festival. It should be a berry fun day in downtown Fayetteville!”
With last year’s first-time festival bringing more than 10,000 people to this celebration of summer, organizers are adding even more fun to the weekend. The party kicks off Saturday night with a “honky tonk street dance” from 6-9 p.m. The festival will also have an appearance by special guest Muriel Fahrion, the Tulsa-based illustrator behind the popular Strawberry Shortcake character.
To join the Dog Paw-ty Parade (with your pup dressed up in their strawberry finest), register here. Registration to enter the Strawberry Pie Competition is closed, but winning pies will be auctioned off at 3 p.m. on Saturday. For a full schedule for the Fayetteville Strawberry Festival visit downtownfay.org/strawberry-festival.
A version of this story originally appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of PLATED. See the full 2025 Food Festival Guide here.
Photos courtesy of Downtown Fayetteville Coalition
