Mattituck Strawberry Festival returns for 71st year

On the North Fork, the Mattituck Lions Club has upheld a tradition for the past 70 years. Every Father's Day weekend, as well as a few days prior, the members unite in celebration of a piece of fruit. The Strawberry Festival, which returns to Strawberry Fields in Mattituck on June 17-21, serves as an annual community fundraiser that benefits a variety of charities.

“The Lions Club is all about helping those in need. The festival allows us to give back to the local community,” first vice president and festival chairman Rich Jernick says. “Whether it be through the seeing eye dog organization Leader Dogs for the Blind, Ronald McDonald House, Peconic Bay Medical Center, Stony Brook Veterans Home, scholarships for high schools on the North Fork or the Southold seniors, we are here to serve.”

The festival has an old school charm with several throwback activities. Here are some highlights to look forward to.

HULLING NIGHT

June 17 is Hulling Night, which has a local feel. Neighbors and friends volunteer their time to assist the Lions Club getting all the fresh strawberries ready. Everyone is welcome.

“We give you a straw and you push the middle of the strawberry out. This is all part of the preparation process for our strawberry daiquiris and strawberry shortcake,” Jernick says. “We count on the community to help us and they always have.”

A new addition to the Strawberry Festival will be a special military flyover with a C-130 plane and two helicopters by the 106th Rescue Wing, based out of Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, at 7 p.m. This event serves as the kickoff to the festival in line with the 250th anniversary of the country.

STRAWBERRY CENTRAL

Those craving strawberries can head to the big white tent where the Lions sell strawberry-based treats. Try the hand-dipped chocolate strawberries, blended strawberry daiquiris with real berries, strawberry shortcake composed of fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream, strawberry pies, strawberry cupcakes, strawberry cookies as well as freshly picked strawberries.

There will also be a dozen food trucks adjacent to the main stage with a tented area for attendees to sit and eat plus carnival fare like funnel cake, burgers and pizza.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

There will be live entertainment on the main stage every day starting with the fifth annual North Fork’s Got Talent Show on June 17 at 6 p.m.

“This is an opportunity for both youth and adults to come out and show the talent they have,” media relations manager Dan Kelleher says. “The acts range from music to comedy to dance. It’s a fun way to engage the community.”

Swifties can rejoice as they dance to Almost Eras: The Taylor Swift Experience on June 18  at 6:30 p.m. Get out your cowboy hats and boots for country band Southbound on at 3 p.m.followed by the high-energy dance group Fever on 7:30 p.m. Take in the reggae vibes of Aqua Cherry on June 20 at 12:30 p.m. then jam out to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band, American Girl at 7:30 p.m. Don’t forget to catch Coverland playing all your favorite hits on June 21  at 1:30 p.m.

Over in the family entertainment area, Magic of Amore will hold three shows on June 20  at noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m. Meanwhile comedic beatboxing juggler Jester Jim delivers his routine on June 21  at noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m.

CROWNING THE NEW QUEEN

Come see the Lions Club crown its new Strawberry Queen on the main stage on June 20  at 4 p.m. Current Queen Morgan Dunne, a Mattituck High School junior, will pass on her scepter to the next young lady chosen by the Lions Club.

“This contest is about finding someone who is active in the community with extra curricular activities and sports credentials,” Kelleher says. “The duties of the Strawberry Queen, once they are crowned, is to act as an ambassador for the Strawberry Festival and the Lions Club. They take part in parades and make community appearances on behalf of the Lions Club.”

SWALLOWING SHORTCAKE

The biggest draw of the festival is Major League Eating’s World Strawberry Shortcake Eating Championship, which takes place on June 20  at 5 p.m. Hundreds of people gather to watch a dozen professional eaters gobble down as many one-pound bowls of strawberry shortcake as they can in eight-minutes.

“It’s a spectacle. Some people might get grossed out by it and others get excited by it,” contest co-chairman Jason Wahl says. “The entire place gets messy and it all becomes a pink mush.”

Reigning champ Geoff Esper, of Oxford, Mass., is set to return to defend his title. Last year, he ate 22.33 pounds of shortcake for the win and in 2024 he established the world record by consuming 23.75 pounds.

“This is a pure capacity contest. Whoever has the biggest tank is going to win,” Esper, 50, says. “Strawberry shortcake is pretty easy to eat because it goes down quickly.”

Esper uses his hands not a spoon and says the weather impacts his performance.

“I use a scooping motion. I’ll crush the strawberries with my hand before I eat them,” he says. “When it’s warmer, the shortcake liquifies better, gets a little looser and moves easier down your throat.”

FIREWORKS AND CRAFTS

A fireworks show, presented by American Fireworks Display, will be held on June 18  at 9:15 p.m. and also June 19  and June 20  at 10:30 p.m.

“The fireworks presentation builds up to a crescendo. Each night gets bigger and better,” Kelleher says. “It’s pretty epic and a lot of folks look forward to it.”

A carnival area, overseen by Reithoffer Shows, offers more than 15 rides and midway games. Additionally, a market of 30 craft North Fork-based craft vendors is available to peruse.