The 27th annual California Strawberry Festival blossoms in Oxnard’s College Park from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on May 15 and 16 this year. The non-profit event is a tribute to the $230 million annually grossing strawberry industry in the Ventura County area.

This year’s fest focuses on artists who will have the opportunity to showcase their original works to the thousands of expected attendees. Chosen artists from across the nation will give presentations featuring collages, leather work, drawings, paintings, glass, mosaics, photography, graphic art, sculpture, handmade toys, jewelry and youth accessories. None of these products are commercially mass-manufactured.

“The art vendors are a highlighted tradition of the festival because patrons love browsing through the booths to find that perfect something they can’t get anywhere else,” said Dana Hale-Mounier of Pacific Fine Arts.

The festival is berry-based, featuring both simple and outrageously obscure strawberry dishes, including kabobs, pizzas, strawberry beer and simple glazed and chocolate dipped strawberries. The strawberry feast adds up to about 50 booths full of food and beverages. The judges’ favorite contestants in the Berry Blast Off bake-free strawberry dish competition will serve up their masterpieces for passersby to sample.

Kids can enjoy free rides and shows at Strawberyland, and attendees of all ages can participate in arts and crafts, stroll down the Strawberry Promenade or take in any of several concerts. Featured acts include Beatlemania (a tribute to the Beatles), Don’t Stop Believin’ (a tribute to Journey), rising pop star Britney Christian and the Mighty Cash Cats.

Visitors can enter in contests for only $1, which include the Strawberry Tart Toss, a Strawberry Pie Eating Contest and the Star Berry Hunt which is presented by the Ventura County Star.

The free Strawberry Express shuttle is offered to transport visitors to and from the festival. The buses depart from locations off the 101 freeway every 15 to 20 minutes, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Festival admission costs $12 or less at the gate. For more information visit www.strawberry-fest.org or call (888) 288-9242.