Marlborough Strawberry Festival 2012

Sunny winter conditions with long days and short cold nights make Marlborough the ideal place for growing strawberries. The Marlborough Strawberry Festival 2012 is the springtime event that welcomes the very first strawberries available in the market in New Zealand.

Locally-grown strawberries galore, strawberry-themed attractions, competitions and fun for all the family. Held at the Drylands Estate between Renwick and Blenheim, at the centre of Marlborough vineyard country, the annual Strawberry Festival is held over the weekend. The 2011 Marlborough Strawberry Festival was a huge success and this year's event will be great fun for young and old.

This Sunday event includes entertainment for locals and visitors, local business stands with produce, arts and crafts and information about the region. Some of the food served at the restaurant and take-away stalls will have a strawberry theme. Enjoy chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry fudge, strawberry afternoon and morning teas as well as luscious fresh local strawberries available on site.

Visitors, families and children will have lots of fun with various competitions, games, attractions and strawberry themed activities. Strawberry competitions open to all include the Best Dressed Festival visitor, the Best Strawberry Hat, the Best Decorated Strawberry Cake.

The 2012 Marlborough Strawberry Festival Queen will be crowned during the day. "Cream pie in your Face" and "eat as fast as you can while handcuffed and blindfolded" will provide hilarious entertainment.

Guided visits to the Hedgerows Strawberry Farm is an added nearby attraction.

The Drylands Home Block vineyard is located in Marlborough’s esteemed Golden Triangle area. It is one of Marlborough’s original Sauvignon Blanc vineyards, planted on its own roots in 1980, back when the now world-renowned wine region was just developing. Revered for its vines’ natural state of equilibrium, Home Block is one of only two original plantings in Marlborough that remain intact today. The Strawberry Festival will take place at the Drylands Restaurant, cellar door and grounds.