About Strawberry Days
Embark on a journey through time and tradition at the 129th Annual Strawberry Days Festival in Glenwood Springs, where a legacy comes to life. This free community festival, a cherished tradition since 1898, invites you to join in the festivities on the third Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of June.
Originally conceived by the Tri-County Farmer's Union as a celebration of Colorado's bountiful fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, Strawberry Day was born on June 18, 1898. Local farmers contributed succulent strawberries and fresh cream, while community members baked cakes to share with nearly 2,000 attendees from across the state. Fast forward 129 years, and the Strawberry Days Festival remains a vital part of our community's identity, a living testament to our history and values.
Throughout its storied history, new traditions and events were added to enhance the Strawberry Days experience. In 1915, the festival introduced the crowning of the Strawberry Days Queen, featuring beauty, talent, and evening gown competitions popular at the time. Over the years, it evolved into Miss Strawberry Days, a scholarship program celebrating poise, personality, community involvement, and leadership. Winners became true ambassadors for Glenwood Springs, embodying the spirit of the festival.
To keep crowds entertained, organizers brought in musicians and performers from near and far. Military, high school, and community bands filled the air with the popular tunes of the day. In 1917, an entertainer known as “The Human Fly” captivated spectators as he scaled the exterior of the Hotel Colorado—without safety gear—while onlookers held their breath. A decade later, in 1926, Hollywood star Tom Mix, in town filming The Great K & A Train Robbery, served as the festival’s guest of honor. In 1978, Glenwood Springs added a new tradition: the Strawberry Shortcut, a 5K and 10K race that quickly became a community favorite.
The Human Fly may have hung up his climbing shoes and Miss Strawberry Days may have taken her final bow, but the festival still buzzes with the same excitement and community spirit that’s defined it for more than a century. Today, you’ll still find outstanding live entertainment and the Strawberry Shortcut running on Sunday morning.
As the festival has evolved over time, its heart has remained steadfast - a commitment to bringing together friends and neighbors, extending a warm welcome to guests, and showcasing the vibrant spirit of our community. A special highlight is the continuation of the 129-year tradition of serving free strawberries and ice cream, a gesture that encapsulates the warmth and generosity of Glenwood Springs.
Join us as we celebrate not just a festival, but a piece of living history that has become the official kickoff to summer for our community. The 129th Annual Strawberry Days Festival awaits, ready to weave together the threads of the past and the excitement of the present in a tapestry of joy and camaraderie.
Where are all the Strawberries?
It's a question we hear every year! The name Strawberry Days dates back to the very first celebration, when complimentary strawberries, cakes and cream were served to attendees. At the time, Glenwood Springs was home to many local farmers who grew strawberries and a variety of other crops.
While the iconic title might suggest an abundance of strawberries at the festival, Glenwood Springs has evolved from a farming community into the vibrant city it is today. Today, the festival's name serves as an homage to those early roots and the dedicated women who gathered to bake, prepare, and share strawberries, cakes and cream with their neighbors, creating a tradition that has endured for generations.
Although the festival has changed over time, its heart has remained the same, a commitment to bring together friends and neighbors, welcoming visitors, and celebrating the spirit of our community. We also continue one of our most beloved traditions: complimentary strawberries and ice cream served after the Saturday parade, keeping a sweet connection to the festival's historic beginnings.
The Glenwood Springs Chamber Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to support and advance the general welfare and prosperity of the greater Glenwood Springs, CO area so that its citizens and all areas of the community may prosper and lessen the burden of local and state governments. Particular emphasis is given to those areas and programs that impact a community’s quality of life, including economic, civic, cultural and educational development.
Thank You Alpine Bank and Glenwood Hot Springs Resort for a great 2025 Festival!
Photo Credit: Avery Smith with Emotion Cinema