Pasadena Strawberry Festival

Pasadena is the Strawberry Capital of Texas — the tiny town once shipped freight-loads of the sweet treats to Chicago and Kansas every day. A blast for adults and kids alike, the Strawberry Festival is a yearly celebration of all things red and juicy. It pays homage to those bygone golden years, but mostly it’s just a great opportunity to eat as many strawberries as humanly possible. The main attraction is the festival’s annual creation of the world’s biggest strawberry shortcake (check with Guinness Book of World Recordsif you don’t believe us). After the monster cake is weighed, measured and otherwise documented for next year’s record, slices of it go up for sale. There’s lots of other red stuff to eat too. Vendors will have almost every strawberry concoction imaginable (we say almost, because so far there’s no strawberry pickle or strawberry jalapeño).

Along with a very full schedule of live music, this year’s non-food activities boast a Strawberry Idol talent search, Mutton Bustin sheep rides, a helicopter tour (of the lovely Pasadena area), mud volleyball games and a circus. There’s also the Swamp Master Alligator Show and Swifty Swine Racing Pigs. Want something a little less, ah, athletic? Head to the interactive gaming center — hello, Guitar Hero! — to keep that techie prowess intact. (Just don’t get strawberry juice all over the controls.) 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Pasadena Convention Center, 7902 Fairmont Parkway. For information, call 281-991-9500 or visit www.strawberryfest.org.
Fri., May 15; Sat., May 16; Sun., May 17, 2009