One of Indy's most smile-inducing traditions is back on Monument Circle
The Indy Strawberry Fest returns to dish up shortcakes on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.
The Christ Church Cathedral congregation baked 15,320 shortcakes and will serve nearly four tons of strawberries during the 58th annual festival.
Construction on the Circle though will call for some adjustments this year.
When is the 2024 Indy Strawberry Festival?
The festival is Thursday, June 13.
Shortcakes will be sold from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., or until supplies run out.
Where is the Indy Strawberry Festival?
The fest will take place on Monument Circle.
How much will strawberry shortcakes cost at the 2024 festival?
“The Works” (homemade shortcake, strawberries, ice cream and whipped topping) will costs $10.
Single items will be available for purchase, with strawberries and ice cream costing $3 each; and shortcakes and whipped topping costing $2 each.
Cash and card are both accepted at the festival.
How to order strawberry shortcakes in advance of the festival
Pre-orders for orders of 10 or more or voucher tickets can be placed now at indystrawberryfestival.org.
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Will construction impact the 2024 Indy Strawberry Festival?
With construction on Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the Circle taking place, the festival layout will be a little different this year.
The north steps of the monument will remain closed, but the south steps of the monument will be available for seating in addition to the provided tables at the site.
Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the seating offered within Spark on the Circle, the temporary park on the northwest quadrant of Monument Circle.
Spark on the Circle: Temporary park returns to downtown Indianapolis
Will there be live entertainment at the festival?
Entertainment this year will be performed within Spark on the Circle, next to the festival.
Who produces the Indy Strawberry Festival? When did it start?
The Cathedral Women of Christ Church Cathedral, 125 Monument Circle, has hosted the event since 1965 when parishioner Pat Harding, inspired by a similar event in her hometown of Lymington, England, suggested the fundraiser.
The Cathedral Women baked and sold 100 shortcakes on the church lawn for the first festival in 1965.
Indy Strawberry Festival sales benefit charities
All proceeds beyond the costs of the festival go directly to charity via grants. Recent recipients include El Sistema Indianapolis, Outreach Inc., Brightlane Learning, Alternatives Incorporated, Coburn Place and Indiana Women in Need Foundation.
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at [email protected] or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X: @cherylvjackson.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy Strawberry Fest to serve tons of berries, thousands of shortcakes
