Every June, downtown Troy turns pink. The Troy Strawberry Festival — one of Ohio’s biggest and best-loved food festivals — celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, running Saturday, June 6 (10 a.m.–9 p.m.) and Sunday, June 7 (10 a.m.–6 p.m.), with a Friday-night kickoff, Strawberry Jam, on June 5. More than 250,000 visitors pack the streets along the Great Miami River for two days of strawberry everything.
2026 Troy Strawberry Festival: Dates & Details
- Festival weekend: June 6–7, 2026 — normally the first full weekend of June
- Hours: Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Friday Night Strawberry Jam: June 5, 5–9 p.m., with a ribbon cutting and the famous dyeing of the downtown fountain
- Where: Downtown Troy and the levee, Troy, Ohio 45373
- Admission: free
- Info: troystrawberryfest.com, 937-339-7714
The Food: Strawberry Donuts & 50+ Vendors
Over 50 food and beverage vendors spread through downtown Troy, and nearly everything has a strawberry angle. The headliners:
- Strawberry donuts — the festival’s most coveted treat; lines form early and sellouts happen
- Strawberry shortcake — the classic, done right
- Strawberry pie, strawberry pizza, chocolate-covered strawberries — the creative end of the menu
- Strawberry lemonade and smoothies — essential on a hot June afternoon
Every food vendor partners with a Miami County nonprofit, so your strawberry shortcake funds local missions. And for the 21+ crowd, Troy’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) is in effect Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
Events: Parades, Races & Contests
The strawberry festival packs a full weekend schedule across two stages (Prouty Stage downtown and the Levee Stage):
- Children’s Walking Parade — Friday evening, kicking off Strawberry Jam weekend
- Strawberry Pie Eating Contest — Saturday near the Levee Stage (registration 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m., contest at 12:30 p.m.)
- Strawberry Classic 5K/10K & Shortcake Fun Run — Saturday morning at Troy Community Park
- Cruise-In — Sunday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Troy Community Park, with dash plaques for the first 300 cars and awards at 1:30 p.m.
- Little Miss & Mr. Strawberry Contest — Saturday on the Prouty Stage (ages 4–6, Miami County residents)
- Live concerts — Saturday night concert on the Prouty Stage plus all-day entertainment on both stages
- Tennis shootout, Big Wheel Race, Super Kids Fitness Challenge — family competitions all weekend
Pre-festival traditions include the Queen’s Pageant (March 20, 2026, at the Arbogast Performing Arts Center) and the ceremonial Berry Painting of downtown intersections — volunteers paint giant strawberries on the streets in the days before the festival, a beloved kickoff ritual that signals summer has officially arrived in Troy.
A 50-Year Troy Tradition
The Troy Strawberry Festival began in 1977 and has run almost every year since (2020’s edition was canceled for COVID-19), growing from a small-town celebration into a 250,000-visitor weekend that anchors Troy’s summer. The 2026 edition marks the 50th festival — expect anniversary touches throughout the weekend. The festival is organized by the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, and its nonprofit-vendor model has raised significant funds for Miami County organizations over five decades.
Tips for Visiting the Strawberry Festival
If you’re coming from out of town, Troy sits about 20 minutes north of Dayton on I-75, making it an easy day trip from Dayton, Springfield, or even Columbus (about an hour). Many visitors pair the festival with a stop at the Miami County Fairgrounds area or a stroll through Troy’s historic downtown square, one of the prettiest courthouse squares in Ohio.
- Get the donuts early. Strawberry donuts are the festival’s signature — go Saturday morning before the sellout.
- Know the street closures. Downtown streets close starting Thursday evening; there’s no on-street parking inside the festival footprint. Park outside the venue and walk in.
- Bring the whole family Friday night. Strawberry Jam (June 5, 5–9 p.m.) has the concert, the children’s parade, and the fountain dyeing with a mellower crowd than Saturday.
- Pack for heat. Early June in the Miami Valley is often hot and humid — sunscreen, hats, and water are essential.
- Bring cash for food booths, though many vendors now take cards.
- Stay for the levee. The Levee Stage area along the Great Miami River has its own entertainment lineup and a great sunset view.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Troy Strawberry Festival in 2026?
June 6–7, 2026 (Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.), with the Friday Night Strawberry Jam on June 5. It’s normally held the first full weekend of June.
Is the Troy Strawberry Festival free?
Yes, admission is free. You pay for food, drinks, and any ticketed contests or activities you join.
Where is the Troy Strawberry Festival?
Downtown Troy, Ohio, centered on the public square and the Great Miami River levee. Some events (5K/10K, Cruise-In) are at Troy Community Park.
What is the Troy Strawberry Festival known for?
Strawberry donuts — the festival’s signature treat — plus strawberry shortcake, the pie-eating contest, the children’s parade, two stages of live music, and the Sunday classic-car Cruise-In.
Where do I park for the Strawberry Festival?
There’s no on-street parking inside the closed festival footprint downtown. Park on surrounding streets or in public lots outside the venue and walk in — arrive early Saturday for the closest spots. Expect heavy foot traffic all weekend; the festival routinely draws over a quarter-million visitors.
The Troy Strawberry Festival is a staple of Ohio’s festival calendar — browse our picks for the best festivals in Ohio to plan your summer.
Dates and schedule confirmed on the official festival site (troystrawberryfest.com) for 2026. Confirm details before traveling, as schedules can change.
