The Ecology Center is growing the beloved U-Pick experience into a multi-sensory celebration. Launching this spring, our new TASTE festival is designed for families to enjoy an immersive experience of art, music, flavor and fun. Capacity for this special event is limited, so sign up today!
Imagine a spring afternoon in the life of a strawberry, as it transforms from tiny seed to tasty fruit to tantalizing culinary treat. TASTE: Strawberry is a magical exploration of our bioregion’s favorite springtime harvest. Designed in keeping with the core values of GROW - EAT - MAKE, this event offers more than just a taste of springtime’s favorite flavor--it invites our community into a deeper appreciation of seasonality and the land that gives us life. Follow the strawberry’s journey as you learn, play, and taste your way through three multi-sensory Grow Eat Make stations, with a little help from our lively performers.
Grow: Following Seed to Sprout
The story of the strawberry starts in the soil and sprouts up towards the sky. The GROW station is all about connecting to the dynamic movement of a seedling as it tirelessly works its way through the soil, extends its branches for life-giving sunlight, and finally reveals its treasure: a ripe, red strawberry! Follow your Acrobat guide’s lead through a series of silly physical challenges that illustrate the strawberry’s growth cycle.
Eat: The Sweetness of Seasonality
You’ve grown the strawberries, you’ve waited for them to ripen...the only thing left is to enjoy! But this stage in the strawberry’s life cycle has more surprises in store. Your Chef guide will lead you through our EAT station, where you’ll get to sample the different shapes, sizes, and unique tastes of different strawberry varieties. You’ll also get to experiment with flavors, as you combine an array of toppings with each strawberry variety to find the perfect way to highlight this seasonal treat.
Make: Welcome to the Jam
The strawberry’s appearance is just the beginning. Pick it, and a whole new world of possibilities unfolds. Learn to think like the culinary creatives at our farm, as you improvise different ways to celebrate and share this wonderful seasonal flavor. The MAKE station invites you to join in a “Strawberry Jam,” using musical instruments to express your inspiration, as your Musician guide leads you through the story of a day on the farm.
U-Pick
After completing the GROW - EAT - MAKE stations, it’s time to pick your own. Strawberry season U-Pick has been a tradition on this land for over 25 years, and we are honored to uphold this region’s agricultural heritage. Grab your baskets and let the strawberry scavenger hunt begin!
*Strawberries are not included with your Taste ticket and will be sold by the pound.
FAQ
Q: When will TASTE: Strawberry begin?
A: TASTE: Strawberry will launch Earth Day weekend, April 24th and 25th.
Q: What are your Health and Safety Protocols?
A: TASTE groups will be limited to 25 or fewer participants (10 or fewer children). Adults are asked to keep their masks on during the experience.
Q: Can we participate in the U-Pick without attending the TASTE Festival?
A: Depending on the berry availability, we may allow stand-alone U-Picks. For now, it’s recommended to sign up for TASTE: Strawberry if you’d like to participate in the County’s only organic strawberry U-Pick opportunity.
Q: How long will TASTE: Strawberry last?
A: We’ll be holding TASTE: Strawberry every Saturday and from April 24th - May 23rd!
Q: How much are strawberries from the U-pick?
A: Our organic strawberries will be weighed once you are done picking and sold for $6 per pound.
