STRAWBERRIES & SUNSHINE. Mark your calendars for Govin's Farm's first-ever Strawberry Festival, slated for June 21-22.

Strawberry season comes and goes quickly at Govin’s Farm (N6134 670th St., Menomonie), but this year, there’s even more incentive to head out and enjoy the local farm’s six acres of berries: Strawberry Festival.

From June 21-22, Govin’s Farm is holding its first-ever Strawberry Festival, mixing all-age fun with some casual foodie competition. Folks will recognize familiar favorites at the farm – including its giant slide and mini golf features – plus jam-making demonstrations, a vendor and craft fair, and all the strawberry-focused food you can ask for.

The farm will offer its own strawberry shortcake, strawberry slush, and strawberry brats, while other food vendors like Tres Hermanos food truck, Carpe Dulce shaved ice, and Yang’s Eggolls (bringing strawberry spring rolls!) will also dish up some berry goods.

Of course, Govin’s will have its strawberry field open for U-pick fun, and its strawberries will also be a central prize to the event’s competitions. Strawberry Festival will hold the Jam Contest; Recipe Contest; Pie Eating Contest; and Best Strawberry Outfit Contest.

The Jam Contest will be open to amateurs only – sorry, professional chefs and folks who sell their goods commercially, this isn’t for you – and is accepting submissions now through June 21. A few requirements are listed online, and judging will be based on the following criteria: Taste (flavor balance, use of strawberries); Texture (jam spreadability); Appearance (visual appeal and presentation); Creativity (innovate ingredient use, unique flavor combos). First place and second place will each win $50 to $100 of Govin’s strawberries.

The Recipe Contest is open to all ages and culinary skill levels and feature a few categories: Breads; Salads; Desserts: Entrees; Other. As long as your strawberry-focused recipe is original and unpublished/unsubmitted elsewhere, you could win $50 worth of Govin’s strawberries (and bragging rights). All participants must register online by June 20.

The Pie Eating Contest is open to those 18-years-old or with parental consent. No hands or utensils will be allowed, and each participant will have the same amount of pies to tackle. The stakes? The winner will receive $50 worth of strawberries or a $50 Govin’s gift card.

Arguably, the cutest of Strawberry Festival’s competitions is the Best Strawberry Outfit Contest. There will be four age groups to break up the competition – and make it fair; babies are basically strawberries already, all round and red-cheeked – and will be judged on the following criteria; Creativity (stand-out costumes, imaginative outfits); Design and Craftsmanship (quality, detail of design and construction); Theme Adherence (is this truly strawberry-y enough?); Presentation (overall presentation and confidence of participant). Each age group with have one winner, to be awarded da $50 gift card for Govin’s Farm. The contest will take place during Strawberry Festival, registration to be completed on-site.

Sun-soaked strawberries and all the sweet family-friendly fun you can ask for, the inaugural Strawberry Festival is a can’t-miss! Read up on each contest to learn more about requirements and submission deadlines, at www.govinsfarm.com/strawberry-festival-vendors.

Strawberry Festival is slated for June 21-22, 9am-3pm each day • Govin's Farm is located at N6134 670th St., Menomonie • Keep up with the farm on Facebook and Instagram