• The 2026 Strawberry Festival runs through June 28 in Memorial Park and is expected to attract more than 40,000 visitors.
  • Friday’s Opening Ceremonies will recognize Citizen of the Year Mary Davidson and Sportsperson of the Year Chris Carruthers.
  • The weekend features midway rides, live entertainment, vendors, strawberry treats, and numerous events and activities.
  • The Rock ‘N Roll Car Show will also take over Main Street on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Headliners include The UK Calling on Saturday night and The Amy Experience late Sunday afternoon.
  • The Stouffville Yankees are continuing the Festival’s baseball tradition by hosting teams from across southern Ontario.
  • Road closures will be in effect throughout the Festival weekend and again for fireworks on Canada Day.

 

The 2026 Strawberry Festival is now underway, welcoming thousands of residents and visitors to Memorial Park for one of Whitchurch-Stouffville’s longest-running community celebrations. Open through Sunday, June 28, the Festival is celebrating its 42nd year and is expected to draw more than 40,000 attendees.

Visitors can once again enjoy midway rides and games, a diverse selection of vendors, and a packed schedule of activities and live entertainment. Locally grown strawberries, pies, jams, and other berry-themed treats are featured throughout the weekend, forming part of the many legacy events on offer.

The weekend officially begins with Friday’s Opening Ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. inside the marquee tent, where Citizen of the Year Mary Davidson and Sportsperson of the Year Chris Carruthers will be honoured.

Davidson is being recognized for her longstanding commitment to local organizations and events. A familiar face throughout Stouffville, she volunteers extensively with the 55+ Club, helped revitalize the community’s lawn bowling program, played a key role in establishing the local pickleball community, and regularly supports events at 19 on the Park.

Carruthers is being honoured for his leadership and dedication as a volunteer coach with the Whitchurch-Stouffville Minor Hockey Association. A former Stouffville Clipper, he has devoted countless hours to developing young athletes both on and off the ice while emphasizing teamwork, character, and pride in the community.

Winners of the Stouffville Bakes Pie and Jam Competition will also be announced during the ceremony, after judges sampled entries Friday afternoon. As always, strawberries were required to be the featured ingredient.

The popular Pancake Breakfast returns Saturday morning outside Latcham Hall, where local representatives from all three levels of government sponsoring the meal will serve free pancakes and strawberries. The Whitchurch Stouffville Food Bank will be on site collecting voluntary food and monetary donations.

Festival-goers can also visit the Sandy Stronach Red Berry Café, which honours the late community volunteer whose dedication helped shape the Strawberry Festival for many years. Strawberry tea served in fine china, along with strawberry desserts, will be available throughout the weekend.

The Stouffville Lions Rubber Duck Races returns Saturday, as well, with proceeds supporting the club and their community initiatives as rubber ducks make their way down Stouffville Creek. Other weekend attractions include a Pet Prom, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and a BMX demonstration.

This year’s Festival is being led by Councillor Sue Sherban, who is serving as Chair of the Strawberry Festival Board. Working alongside fellow board and committee members, a large team of community volunteers, and the Town’s events staff, Sherban has helped oversee preparations under a Town-Festival partnership now in its second year.

While the Strawberry Festival Board continues to oversee the event’s legacy programming, the Town now manages entertainment bookings, vendors, and sponsorships. This year’s lineup includes a full schedule of performances alongside food, artisan, business, and nonprofit exhibitors.

Headlining performers include The UK Calling, taking the stage Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and The Amy Experience, performing Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Tom Bishop’s Wild West Show will entertain audiences throughout Saturday, while Festival favourite Doo Doo the Clown returns for performances all weekend.

Main Street will also come alive Saturday morning with the annual Rock ‘N Roll Car Show, presented in partnership with the Markham Stouffville Cruisers. Running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event will feature classic vehicles, music from DJ OldSkool, and a unique opportunity to support local businesses and restaurants.

The Strawberry Festival traces its roots back to 1984, when it combined a baseball tournament with Canada Day festivities. Continuing that tradition, the Stouffville Yankees are hosting teams from seven other southern Ontario communities for a weekend of tournament play.

With Canada Day falling on Wednesday this year, the holiday celebrations will be held separately from the Festival. However, residents can return to Memorial Park on July 1 for a FIFA World Cup watch party from 4 to 6 p.m. before the community’s annual fireworks display later that evening.

Drivers should expect road closures affecting Park Drive, Burkholder Street, and Main Street throughout the Festival weekend, with additional closures planned for Canada Day. A Festival map detailing event locations, activities, parking, and road closures is available for visitors planning their trip.