We're excited to introduce the 2025 Strawberry Festival poster design created by Vashon artist Annalise (Annie) Monti. She dreamed up this wonderful character after we asked for a 'Strawberry Troll' theme. Per Annie, "My concept for the troll was the kind of magical, incredibly kind and knowledgeable fellow you might see sitting on the porch of the Roasterie, someone who invites you to come check out his beehives and insists you take some strawberries with you as well!" Her inspiration also included 60's concert posters and album cover art. You'll see our new friend on Strawberry Festival merchandise, plus we're bringing back the event poster.
Thank you Annie, you rock!
STREET CLOSURE DURING STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, July 18, 19, and 20, 2025
Vashon Highway 171st to 178th both lanes
Bank Road 97th Ave to 100th Ave both lanes
Closure dates/times:
Friday: 3:00pm – midnight
Saturday: midnight – midnight
Sunday: midnight - 6:00pm
Saturday parade additional closure: Vashon Highway northbound at 192nd between 8:30am- 12pm
Come and experience a weekend filled with music, culture, fun, and community spirit for all ages!
The Vashon Chamber invites you to explore local Vashon vendors and a select group of off-island
vendors along Vashon Highway. Enjoy an exciting Main Stage lineup and a variety of entertainment
options for kids and youth.
What’s in store for Kids at Festival this year?
FUN ZONE FOR KIDS!
Friday, July 18th
4-8 pm: Ober Park Bouncy Houses & Games (fee)
5:30 pm: Reptile Man at Ober Park
6-8 pm: Ice Cream Social at the Vashon Heritage Museum
6-8 pm: TeenJam youth Stage at Pandora’s Box
Saturday, July 19th
Ober Park
10 am - 6 pm: Bouncy Houses & Games (fee)
11 am - 4 pm: Face Painting & Hair Tinsel with Girls to Girls (fee)
12 - 4 pm: Camp Sealth Fun Activities - Scavenger Hunt, Friendship Bracelet Making, Knot Tying & More (FREE)
12 - 5 pm: Vashon Youth Baseball & Softball Wiffleball - Swing a bat and get silly in the sunshine--join Vashon Youth Baseball & Softball for a drop-in game of Wiffleball! Perfect for preschoolers & up. (FREE)
12 - 5 pm: Lego Building at Vashon Library sponsored by Seattle Areas Lego Users Group (FREE)
North of Bank Road
10 am - 6 pm: Bungee Jumping & Inflatable Water Walking at Vashon Village (fee)
10 am - 6 pm: Dunk Tank presented by Vashon Parks District at Village Green (fee)
10 am - 6 pm: Dungeons & Dragons themed mini ‘Escape Room’ (fee)
11 am - 2 pm: Cub Scouts Boat Making (FREE0
11 am - 5 pm: Train Rides between US Bank & Chamber Office (FREE)
11 am - 5 pm: Kids Crafts for sale from Vashon’s Future Entrepreneurs at Vashon Pharmacy
South of Bank Road
10 am - 6 pm: Mini Golf at Recess Lab/Island Queen presented by C’Mon Barber ($5/round)
12 - 6 pm: Speed Pitch at Colvos Brewing
12-8 pm: Jawbone Pupet Theatre’s Magic Puppet Jambulance at Vashon Theatre
Sunday, July 20th
Ober Park
10 am - 5 pm: Bouncy Houses & Games (fee)
10 am - 5 pm: Inflatable Soccer (fee)
11 am - 4 pm: Face Painting & Hair Tinsel with Girls to Girls (fee)
12 - 4 pm: Camp Sealth Fun Activities - Scavenger Hunt, Friendship Bracelet Making, Knot Tying & More (FREE)
North of Bank Road
10 am - 5 pm: Bungee Jumping & Inflatable Water Walking at Vashon Village (fee)
10 am - 6 pm: Dunk Tank presented by Vashon Parks District at Village Green (fee)
10 am - 6 pm: Dungeons & Dragons themed mini ‘Escape Room’ (fee)
South of Bank Road
10 am - 5 pm: Mini Golf at Recess Lab/Island Queen presented by C’Mon Barber ($5/round)
12 - 6 pm: Speed Pitch at Colvos Brewing
12-8 pm: Jawbone Pupet Theatre’s Magic Puppet Jambulance at Vashon Theatre
Pete’s Music List:
Friday:
4:00pm: Rumor Has It/Ober Park
5:30pm: Ice Cream Social/Heritage Musuem
5:30pm: The Reptile Man/Ober Park
5:30pm: Star Anna/Snapdragon
6:00: Lazy Dog String Band/Heritage Museum
6:30pm: El Johnson/Pandora's Box
7:00pm: Miss Ogyny/Pandora's Box
7:00pm: Little Creatures/Ober Park
7:00pm: Blue Monster/Eagles
7:00pm: Whiting Tennis/Sugar Shack
7:30pm: Magnolia/Pandora's Box
8:00pm: Trolls Cottage/Sporty's (not certain on the time)
8:00pm: Caspian Coberly/Pandora's Box
8:00pm: DJ Mr Nice/Snapdragon
8:30pm: Dum Dum’s/Sugar Shack (time approx)
9:00pm: Bowie/Rex/Ober Park
10:00pm: Patrons of Husbandry/Sugar Shack (time approx)
Saturday:
10:00am: Parade
11:30am: Dusty 45's/Ober Park
12:00pm: David Boone of Alberta & The Dead Eyes at Mind Set Apothecary
12:00pm: Colette Jones/Village Green
1:30pm: Kimmi Bitter/Ober Park
2:15pm: Kings Hwy/Mind Set Apothecary
2:30pm: High Class Brass/Village Green
3:15pm: Ron Artis II/Ober Park
4:00pm: Maxmiano/Sugar Shack
4:30pm: Croaker/Mind Set Apothecary
5:30pm: Jealous Dogs/Ober Park
6:00pm: Portage Fill Big Band/in front of Sporty's
6:00pm: Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons/Snapdragon
6:30pm: Ellery Harper/Sugar Shack
6:45pm: E.O.S./Mind Set Apothecary
7:00pm: TCMI/The Yard at the Hardware Store
7:30pm: The Power Players/Ober Park
8:00pm: Stray Rails & Colette Jones/Sporty's
8:00pm: Dance Party w/Queen Sativa & DJ Brit Hansen at Snapdragon
8:00pm: The Buckaroosters/Sugar Shack
9:30pm: Publish The Quest/Ober Park
Sunday:
10:00am: Classic Car Parade
10:00am: Mark Wells/Village Green
10:30am: Car Show/Towne Center
11:00am: Drag Brunch w/Queen Sativa/Snapdragon
12:00pm: Alchemy/Mind Set Apothecary
12:00pm: The Panda Conspiracy/Ober Park
12:30pm: Triskelion/Village Green
2:00pm Russ Baum/Vashon Times Dispensary
2:00pm: Hell's Belles/Ober Park
2:15pm: Swedish Finnish/Mind Set Apothecary
3:45pm: Loose Change/Ober Park
4:45pm: Pat Reardon/Mind Set Apothecary
6:30pm: Michael Whitmore-Some’tet/Sugar Shack
Friday, July 18th
Main Stage:
4:00pm: Rumor Has It
5:30pm: The Reptile Man
7:00pm: Little Creatures
9:00pm: Bowie/Rex & His Boogie Army
Rumor Has It. Feel the groove. Hear those strings. Let the harmony carry you away. This versatile Vashon band will lift your spirits while you kick up your heels or sway the night away. These are great island musicians who cook up a delicious stew they call stringband rock. Rumor Has It plays bluegrass, country, rock, Afro-Celtic, and blues - all with their own unique blend. With Roger Taylor on guitar/vocals, Steve Amsden on guitar/banjo/vocals, Paul Colwell on mandolin/vocals, Sarah Perlman on fiddle/vocals, Brian Springfield on bass, Gordy Ryan on congas/vocals, and Gen Amsden on vocals.
The Reptile Man. Zoologist, educator, and author Scott Petersen presents 12 live reptiles in a 40-minute show that teaches the importance of all animals in nature. Scott has been featured nationally on Disney's Bill Nye the Science Guy and on PBS' Biz Kids. He has appeared on Northwest Afternoon, Evening Magazine, and NPR Radio.
Little Creatures. Central Vashon’s only Talking Heads tribute band—will serve up a heaping plateful of highly danceable Talking Heads songs every time they perform. Are you ready for this?!
Whether you lean toward the CBGB-era Talking Heads of the late 1970s, their “middle years” with Brian Eno and Adrian Belew influencing their sound, or their later work incorporating synthesizers and world beats, there will be something for everyone to enjoy when Little Creatures takes the stage. Radio hits, MTV classics and more-obscure “B-sides” are all on the set list. And, they all have one thing in common: a beat you can dance to!
Born from the ashes of the popular Bowie-Idol project, Vashon based Record Producer & Mixing Engineer, Martin Feveyear, has formed a brand new 9-piece rock & roll group "Bowie/Rex & His Boogie Army".
Performing a mix of music from David Bowie, Marc Bolan & T-Rex, Roxy Music, The Cars, The Kinks, Talking Heads, Joy Division and more, “Bowie/Rex & His Boogie Army” features some of the region’s finest musicians.
With Dave Dederer (Presidents of the USA, Duff McKagan’s Loaded) and Tim Dijulio (Lazy Suzan, Flight to Mars) on guitars, Michael Musburger (The Posies, The Fastbacks) on drums, Billy Stover (Dusty 45’s, Victoria Contreras) on keyboards and Jeremy Lightfoot (Danny Newcomb, Elvez) on bass, the band is rounded out by front-man Martin Feveyear (Producer of Brandi Carlisle, Presidents of the USA, Duff McKagan of Guns n Roses, and Islanders St Ophelia, Kat Eggleston & Gregg Curry) and backing singers “The Suffragette Sisters (Rhiannon Walther, Sarah Howard & Melissa Feveyear).
Martin reflects: “Marc Bolan, David Bowie, and the Glam music of the early 70’s was the music of my childhood. My mother playing and singing along to the 45 of Sorrow, is one of my fondest preschool memories. At the age of 5, I had a poster on my wall of the magical and mysterious Ziggy Stardust. The Music of that time, Bowie’s music especially, has had a huge impact on me, he’s been there during every decade of my life. Losing him in 2016 was very hard to swallow. I suppose being in this band, is a blatant way of reconnecting with that music and his loss?”
Saturday, July 19th
10:00 a.m. Parade
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Vendor Booths
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Kids Zone
Main Stage:
11:30am: The Dusty 45s
1:30pm: Kimmi Bitter
3:15pm: Ron Artis II
4:30pm: Unofficial Mayor Winner
5:30pm: Jealous Dogs
6:00pm: Portage Fill Street Dance (outside Sporty’s)
7:30pm: The Power Players
9:30pm: Publish the Quest
The Dusty 45s. From the smoky back rooms of Seattle's dive bars to the grand stages of national tours, The Dusty 45s, fronted by its dynamic founding member, singer-songwriter Billy Joe Huels, have been electrifying audiences for nearly three decades. Their raw energy and timeless sound have earned them a dedicated following and a reputation as one of the region's most beloved bands. Driven by Huels's creative vision, the current lineup—affectionately dubbed "Dusty Version 6.0"—features Kohen Burrill on drums and vocals, Robin Cady on upright bass, and Rod Cook on lead guitar and vocals. This dynamic quartet delivers high-octane live shows that have solidified the band's reputation for stellar musicianship. Over the years, The Dusty 45s have become a Seattle institution, gracing the airwaves of KEXP and sharing stages with luminaries like Adele, Brandi Carlile, Wanda Jackson, and John Prine. Their signature blend of gritty rock 'n' roll and heartfelt storytelling has solidified their status as one of the region's most respected and enduring acts. With their electrifying live performances, they've captivated audiences across the country.
Kimmi Bitter. Imagine the sun-soaked charm of Palm Springs circa ‘62 mixed with a dash of California coastal weirdness in a mod-inspired dreamscape. Kimmi Bitter is a paradox that echoes the traditions of classic country, yet feels like it’s breaking all the rules at once. A rising force in the underground Americana scene she's mixing the old school with the new cool by capturing the attention of music fans and critics alike. Kimmi isn’t just winning awards; she’s earning her stripes on the road the old-fashioned way. After over 120 shows nationally in 2024, she and her band, The Westside Twang, are doing what they do best—pouring their souls across the U.S.A. Guitarist Willis Farnsworth’s signature twangy tone, which somehow makes a Gretsch guitar emulate pedal steel, has not only built him a cult following but has also defined the band's live sound. With bassist Ben Neal and drummer Justin De La Vega in tow, the band delivers a live performance that hits right in the pocket.
Ron Artis II. Ron Artis II is a multi-instrumentalist who grew up in Hawaii among an exceptionally musical family. The second oldest of 10 other siblings, Ron was surrounded by artists and musicians daily. In fact, growing up, Ron thought it was weird that everybody else didn’t have ten siblings running around with them every day. They even had an “Artis Family Band” and when they weren’t off painting, at the beach, they were learning their instruments. Each song is laced with intention, deep conviction, story, and a heart that has truly been there. It makes sense why Ron is often heard talking [and singing] about “walking the walk.” “I really try to write music that can be helpful not only for our generation, but for life in general.”
Jealous Dogs. Jealous Dogs is Seattle's Only Pretenders Tribute, snatching their namesake from a deep-cut off Pretenders II. Comprised of Seattle music scene veterans, this four piece was brought together by a common love and appreciation for the Pretenders blend of new-wave and punk rock. Performing Pretenders hits, B-sides, and rarities, the Jealous Dogs bring a fun, dancin', rockin' good time.
The Power Players. Consisting of 11 of the Northwest’s most talented and experienced musicians, The Power Players focus on an eclectic mix of “Classic Hits That Kicks Brass” from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. The Power Players feature a full horn section, auxiliary percussion and a whole host of talented vocalists. You’ll be hard pressed to find another group in the area so accurately recreating the very best from artists like Chicago, Toto, Doobie Brothers, Wings, Boz Scaggs, Earth Wind & Fire, Joe Jackson, Steely Dan and much more.
Publish The Quest. Publish the Quest, a band with deep Vashon roots that has made a name for itself worldwide as both a musical and philanthropic force. Jacob Bain & The Publish Quest, incorporates a plethora of Afro-beat elements and folk/rock/alternative leanings. There are rap vocals on “Gotta Keep Movin!” and “I Believe People Can Change.” Femi Kuti lends some vocals on the title track, “Then What!?.” There are great guitar jams here with some jazz, fusion, and rock influences. However, the entire album is relatively light overall. For instance, the rap vocals are not particularly hard or difficult to understand. A mix of instrumentation provides an enjoyable listening experience, even though there are some rap vocals. You will hear congas, trumpet, acoustic guitar, viola, violin, bass, tenor sax, alto sax, baritone sax, keyboards, electric guitar, and classical guitar. The Dave Matthews Band comes to mind at times. “Then What!?,” “Gotta Keep Movin!,” “The Wall,” and “When It Comes” are recommended tracks. There is an urban element to the abovementioned tracks, but there is plenty of room for alternative pop and fusion. Whatever it is called, Then What!? is something that everyone should possess and play. An impressive roster of international stars has collaborated with the band — Femi Kuti, Nneka Lucia Egbuna, Matt Chamberlain, Eyvind Kang, Radioactive, Oliver Mtukudzi and Vieux Farka Touré have joined forces with the group on recordings and in concert.
Don’t miss The Portage Fill Band on Saturday night from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at this year’s Strawberry Festival! The Portage Fill Street Dance is an island tradition not to be missed! As in the past, they will be set up in the center of town on the street in front of Sporty’s.
For over 50 years, the Portage Fill Big Band has been an integral part of the musical life of Vashon Island. A perennial Strawberry Festival favorite, the Portage Fill Big Band continues to entertain with exciting and danceable music from the Big Band era and beyond.
The Portage Fill Big Band is Vashon's oldest "garage band" with their unique brand of dance music. With well over 300 tunes to choose from, the Portage Fill promises an entertaining show for listeners and dancers alike.
Made up of almost two dozen current or former island residents, Portage Fill is a classic "Big Band" with full horn and sax sections, backed up by a complete rhythm section, and features 2 vocalists for the crowd's listening and dancing pleasure. Portage Fill is well known for their selection of Big Band swing tunes from the 30's and 40's, but is versatile enough to work in some blues, Latin, or even rock and roll numbers to put on a show for all ages and musical tastes.
Whether you're there to dance or listen, the Portage Fill is a band you don't want to miss!
**Meet the Band**
*Saxes: * Greg McElroy, Charlie Kipp, Van Crozier, Joe Touhey, Karen Eliasen
*Trumpets: * Richard Person, Dennis Williams, Lou Engels, Stu Tribble, Mark Anstadt
*Trombones: * Tony Willing, Dave Hackett, Jim Plihal
*Rhythm Section: * Todd Zimberg, Leonard Su, Jim Burke, John Stanton
*Vocalists: * Maggie Laird & Lou Mangione
Sunday, July 20th
10:00 a.m. Classic Car Parade
11:00 a.m. Classic Car Show
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Vendor Booths
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Kids Zone
Main Stage:
12:00pm: The Panda Conspiracy
2:00pm: Hell’s Belles
3:45pm: Loose Change
The Panda Conspiracy. Panda Conspiracy is a genre-bending force of rhythm and melody, hailing from the vibrant music scenes of the Pacific Northwest. With a sound that fuses reggae and funk grooves, with riff rock, the band delivers an uplifting, dance-inducing experience that’s as soulful as it is electrifying. Known for their high-energy performances and powerful musicianship, Panda Conspiracy has been a staple of West Coast festivals for years, bringing crowds together in celebration and movement.
Fronted by our good friend and multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Chris Poage, the band’s lineup features a cast of deeply talented players, including horns, keys, percussion, and dynamic vocals that create an infectious, full-bodied sound. With a history of community engagement and a passion for global musical influences, Panda Conspiracy weaves themes of unity, joy, and resistance into every performance.
Hell’s Belles. HELL'S BELLES are first and foremost dedicated AC/DC fanatics. This is what we all have in common. We're all part of a huge community of devotees to one of the greatest rock-n-roll bands in the world. This is who we all are, and this is what HELL'S BELLES strives to deliver with mechanical precision and passionate fury. Endorsed by Angus Young himself (Blender Magazine, 2003), HELL'S BELLES are the closest one can get without actually moving to Australia and joining AC/DC's road crew. It's an all out rock-n-roll assault that leaves you both satisfied and begging for more.
Loose Change is a longtime Vashon favorite and this band aims to entertain with non-stop danceable tunes - R&B, swing, and the occasional disco hit. Inspired by the movie “The Commitments,” the band’s leader and powerful front man Troy Kindred is an entertainer in every sense of the word. His infectious energy and enthusiasm gets the crowd into the act – and his vocals will tear the paint off the back walls. Kindred is backed by a tight band with a solid rhythm section, dynamic horns and the backup singers add sass and spice. The sheer size of Loose Change makes for a big sound and a fun show.
Enjoy All Things Festival With VoV
We are broadcasting the Strawfest Grand Parade on Saturday morning July 19 at 10 with Eminent Emcees Geoff Fletcher and Craig Beles and the Car Parade on Sunday July 20 at 10 with Captain Joe Wubbold and Kate Dowling.
This is all possible because of our fabulous tech team and hard working volunteers, our underwriters, and you, our supporters!
Check the VoV website or Facebook page for the streaming links.
Here are details on the road closure. (also posted to the Strawberry Festival page on the Chamber website - VashonChamber.com)
https://www.thisisvashon.com/strawberry-festival
Road Closures: 3 pm Friday 7/18 to 6 pm Sunday 7/20
North at SW 171st
South at SW 178th
Plus Side Streets:
SW 174th (east to 97th)
Bank from 98th on East and 100th on West
NOTE: Saturday Parade Additional Closure:
at 100th Ave SW & 178th St from about 8-11 a.m.
(for safety while lining up for parade)
Thank you Vashon!
Vashon Island Midwifery is hosting a family rest space all weekend long, right in the heart of the festival! The Midwifery Center (just next to Subway) will be open with AC, bathroom, hydration options, a private nursing room, baby diapering station, and more. Come watch the festival through the windows while baby naps! We’re also inviting all families to walk with us in the parade at 10a, and to a post-parade cool-down and welcome celebration so the island can meet our new midwife, Ciara from 11a-1p!
Hope you’ll stop by to take care during festival weekend.
Superman
Playing all festival weekend!
Vashon Theatre
Superman embarks on a journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent.
Rated PG-13, 2h 9m
This, from Mardi: We are super excited to announce what we have in store for you this festival! We worked extra hard to make sure we had food, shave ice, interesting shopping and fantastic music!
Some vendors may open Friday afternoon, but we officially start on Saturday after the parade with our vendor market featuring jewelry, vintage clothes, farm made soap, artisans, assorted goods, and a WELLNESS OASIS. Also included with vendors are a delicious BBQ food truck and a shave ice, Cuban coffee, and sweets tent! Shortly after music will start on our stage and go all day! For your thirst quenching convenience we have a booze-less craft drink bar near the stage for breaks between dancing!
Saturday’s music line up starts at noon with David A Boone from Alberta & the Dead Eyes, Kings Highway, Croaker, and E.O.S.
Sunday starts strong at noon with Alchemy, Swedish Finnish, and Pat Reardon.
Ice Cream Social
Vashon Heritage Museum Garden
Friday, July 18th; 5:30pm to 8pm
It's time again for the Vashon Heritage Museum's annual Ice Cream Social. Start Strawberry Festival off right with free ice cream! There will be lawn games and fun for all. The Lazy Dog String Band will be playing bluegrass and acoustic country for the Vashon History Museum's Strawberry Festival Ice Cream Social from 6 - 8 pm behind the museum. Mark Wells, Barney Munger, Paul Colwell, Jean Richstad, Wilson Abbott and Dan Brown.
Poster design by Ava Ameling
TeenJam Youth Stage
Pandora’s Box
Strawberry Festival
Friday, July 18th
6pm-9pm
Youth stage returns to Strawberry Festival! The TeenJam youth stage will be happening at Pandora’s Box on Friday, July 18 from 6-9pm. TeenJam is FREE, open to middle and high school youth. It is a sober, substance-free event sponsored by VYFS, VARSA, KCLS, Orbit, Vashon Events and Pandora’s Box. Teens are invited to perform, bring their art, play games, hang out, and enjoy activities hosted by island youth and nonprofits. The lineup includes island youth performers, and a surprise headliner. Middle and High Schoolers are invited to register to perform by June 20.
Schedule:
Emcee introduction 6:25pm
El 6:30-6:58pm
Emcee announce Miss Ogyny 6:59pm
Miss Ogyny 7:00-7:28pm
Emcee announce Magnolia! 7:29pm
Magnolia! 7:30-7:58pm
Emcee announce headliner 7:59pm
Caspian Coberly 8:00-8:55pm
Emcee thank you, close of show 8:56pm
Check out the bands right here: https://www.vashonevents.org/teenjam-2025
Trolls Cottage
Sporty’s
Friday, July 18th
Don’t ask what time, just show up
In the heart of Vashon Island, where the trees breathe rhythm and the tides hum harmony, Trolls Cottage has become more than just a band—they’re part of the island’s soul. Made up of lifelong friends Jacob Bain, Gabriel Blake, Mike Marlatt, Earl Clay, Erik Reimnitz, and the late Ian Metler, their music carries the spirit of shared bonfires, spontaneous porch jams, and decades of growing up together in the woods.
Ian, a founding member, brought a lyrical depth and creative spark that shaped the band’s sound from the beginning. His melodies became the soundtrack to countless island memories, and his presence—whether on stage or sailing the Salish Sea—was a steady, joyful force. Ian passed away in March 2025 after living with cancer for six years, leaving behind a legacy of music, craftsmanship, and love for the land and people around him.
Rooted in acoustic reggae and layered with heartfelt lyrics, Trolls Cottage’s songs reflect the textures of island life: ferry rides at sunset, Lisabuela summers, and rainy walks through Island Center Forest. From the stage at Ober Park to your neighbor's backyard, they play for friends, family, and everyone who calls this place home.
Now, every performance will carry Ian’s spirit. The band continues not just in his memory, but with his influence woven into every chord. His voice echoes in their harmonies, and his love for community lives on in the way they gather people together through music.
Trolls Cottage isn’t chasing charts—they’re nurturing roots. Vashon raised them, Ian helped shape them, and together, they play for the community that’s always had their back.
Blue Monster
Vashon Eagles
Friday, July 18th
7:00pm
Open to the public!
Blue Monster is a three piece instrumental funk band from Vashon Island that has been playing venues and festivals in the Northwest since 2005. Known for their live performances which combine heavy funk grooves laced with psychedelic improvisation, the group frequently invites local musicians to collaborate for on-stage jams. The rhythm section lays down tight beats which combine intricate bass lines with deep pocket drumming. Sonic guitar mayhem embodied by funky licks and mind bending solos to take your ears on a journey to another dimension. Blue Monster is guaranteed to make that booty shake and open your mind.
7:00pm: Whiting Tennis
8:30pm: Dum Dums
10:00pm: Patrons of Husbandry
(Times are approx)
Friday, July 18th
Vashon Sugar Shack
No cover!
21+ Please Enter via the Alley
Food and Full Bar Available
Whiting Tennis is a Seattle based indie-rock songwriter specializing in dark, mid-tempo originals. Whiting visits Vashon Island with his mellifluous broken-hearted northwest story telling, set atop breezy nocturnal mythological inward shaped soundscapes.
Hailing from the misty shores of Vashon Island just west of Seattle, Patrons of Husbandry are a genre-blurring quartet whose sound is equal parts hypnotic haze and melodic punch. Formed in 2023 by Rusty Willoughby, Scott Boggan, Ethan Cudaback, and Jeff Roeser, the band draws on the legacy of Seattle’s underground scene—echoing the dreamlike distortion of Room Nine and Pure Joy, and the pop sensibilities of Flop. Their music, fueled by “Colorado Kool-Aid and Washington’s finest,” is a swirling mix of time-traveling grooves and shape-shifting textures, with a debut EP Fall from the Stars released in early 2024. The band’s name nods to the historic Grange Hall where their journey began, adding a touch of rural mystique to their island-born sound.
Emerging from Seattle’s vibrant underground scene in the winter of 2022, Dum Dums are a punk-infused powerpop band born from the ashes of Young Sportsmen. Their debut release BLOWN! is a sonic blitz of fast-paced, no-frills rock—each track clocking in under two minutes, delivering raw energy with zero filler. With a sound that channels the urgency of early punk and the melodic hooks of pop-punk, Dum Dums have quickly carved out a reputation for loud, fast, and unapologetically “dum” music that’s as infectious as it is rebellious.
The 42nd Bill Burby Inspirational Run/Walk will begin at 8:30 AM on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The starting and ending will be at the VES Fields (Harbor School).
This is a longstanding community event, not put on by the Chamber of Commerce.
More info right here: https://billburbyrace.com/
It's fun - Bring the whole family!
The best way to put a smile on your face is to walk with VIPP in the parade and be cheered by parade attendees! We would love to have as many people as possible to walk with VIPP to show the community we are still going strong 41 years later. Kids and dogs are welcome too, but please be mindful if the temperatures get too warm for puppy feet on the pavement.
What’s happening at the Vashon Theatre for Strawberry Festival?
It’s an ambulance!
It’s a puppet theater!
It’s Jawbone Puppet Theater’s Magic Puppet Jambulance!
Saturday, July 19, 12-8pm
Sunday, July 20, 12-5pm
Our magic puppet jambulance will land right out front the Vashon Theatre to entertain you all day with delightful puppet shows, unusual masked characters, and weirdo clownlike stuff! Sometimes hilarious, sometimes serious, always strange—fun for the whole family! Performances throughout the day, and between shows don’t forget to step inside the jambulance to peruse our mobile puppet museum and radical zine and puppetry library! You won’t regret it!
4:00pm: Maxmiano
6:30pm: Ellery Harper
8:00pm: The Buckaroosters
Saturday, July 19th
Vashon Sugar Shack
No Cover!
21+ Please Enter via the Alley
Food and Full Bar Available
The Buckaroosters are Seattle’s twangiest torchbearers of classic country, originally formed in 1998 as a Buck Owens tribute band. Over the years, they’ve evolved into a full-fledged honky-tonk powerhouse, channeling the golden era of country music from 1959 to 1969 with sizzling pedal steel, soulful harmonies, and high-octane Telecaster riffs. Led by Dave Keenan and featuring Nova “She-Buck” Devonie, Kelly Van Camp, and Dan Tyack, the band delivers spirited renditions of legends like Cash, Patsy, Hank, and Horton, while keeping Buck’s electrified Bakersfield sound alive and kicking. Whether at Seattle’s Little Red Hen or headlining Wintergrass, The Buckaroosters bring boot-stomping authenticity and a whole lot of heart to every stage.
Maximiano is a Milwaukee-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose music blends indie folk, Americana, and chamber pop into emotionally resonant soundscapes. Their debut album, The Real Truth, showcases a lush, expressive style that glides through themes of memory, identity, and growth, earning praise as “a towering achievement” by local critics. With a voice that’s tender yet urgent, Maximiano crafts songs that shimmer with pedal steel, clarinet, and piano, often backed by a stellar ensemble of Milwaukee musicians. Formerly of the band Crawlspace, they’ve since become a staple of the city’s live music scene, releasing multiple live albums and captivating audiences with heartfelt performances3. Their work appeals to fans of Adrianne Lenker and Elliott Smith, but Maximiano’s sound is unmistakably their own.
More info on Ellery Harper soon.
EOS
Mind+Set Apothecary and Restoreum
Saturday, July 19th
6:45pm
Tim Couldn't Make It (duo)
The Yard at The Hardware Store Restaurant
Saturday, July 19th
7-9pm
Tim Dahms was born to play bass. One morning, as a young adult, he picked one up and he was leading a band that evening. Through his long, illustrious career he’s played with some of the most celebrated names in modern music ranging from Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers to Willie Nelson, with whom he still plays when Willie reaches the proper orbit. When not playing music, Tim cures cancer at a hospital on Maui, using atomic power and gamma rays. Tim is in constant demand both musically and medicinally and on the occasions when he can’t make a scheduled performance, his back-up band, Rick Dahms and Doug Pine, fill in by playing some of Tim's favorite songs. They are often accompanied by Wes and Chuck but not always because those guys are busy, too.
Stray Rails
With Colette Jones
Sporty’s
Saturday, July 19th
8:00pm
Vashon Eagles Presents:
Strawberry Festival Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, July 20th
8am-11am
$12 Adults, $8 for kids 12 & under
Open to the public!
SAVE THE DATE - SUNDAY JULY 20, 2025
More information right HERE
9 AM - 10 AM: Day-Of Registration & Parade Staging at Vashon Center for the Arts - 19600 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon, WA 98070 -
10 AM - 10:30 - Parade through Uptown Vashon
10:30 AM - 2 PM - Car Show at Vashon Town Square - 17159 Vashon Hwy SW Vashon WA 98070 -
1:30 PM Award Show & Drivers Raffle Drawing
Hello from your team at Island Insurance!
We are beyond excited to invite you to the 15th Annual Vashon Island Strawberry Festival Car Show & Parade on July 20, 2025!
A True Community Event
The Vashon Island Strawberry Festival Car Show is something we look forward to every year. It's not just a car show and parade; it's a gathering of friends, families, and neighbors celebrating everything that makes Vashon Island unique. For the past 15 years, car lovers from Vashon Island and across the Seattle-Tacoma area have gathered to display their vehicles, whether classic beauties, custom builds, high-performance muscle cars, or the latest models that showcase the future of automotive design.
This event is so special because it's entirely driven by the community. Local car owners sign up to bring their prized vehicles, and you'll see a wide variety of cars on display, each with its own unique story. Whether you're a long-time car enthusiast or just someone who appreciates the craftsmanship that goes into these machines, there's something for everyone at this event.
More Than Just Cars: A Full Festival Experience
Of course, the parade and car show is just one part of the excitement! After parading through town, which is live broadcast on the radio and YouTube by Voice of Vashon, the show part of our event is conveniently located in the heart of the Vashon Island Strawberry Festival, which means you'll be surrounded by delicious food, live music, shopping, and activities for all ages. After you've checked out the incredible cars on display, you can enjoy local food, browse the artisan booths, or kick back and listen to live performances. There's no better way to spend a Sunday in the summer!
Our Heart and Soul in the Show
As trusted local insurance agents on Vashon Island, we at Island Insurance are proud to have been part of the Vashon Island Festival Car Show for the past 10 years. This event is more than just a car show; it is a way to give back to the community that supports us. It's a special opportunity to connect with your friends and neighbors and celebrate the warmth and spirit that make Vashon Island such a wonderful place to call home. We pour our hearts into organizing every detail to make sure the event is enjoyable for everyone, creating a fun, memorable day for all. It's truly a privilege for us to play a role in bringing people together, year after year, and making the Vashon Island Car Show a beloved highlight of the festival.
Get Involved and Spread the Word!
Are you a car owner? This is your chance to showcase your ride! The Vashon Island Strawberry Festival Car Show is open to anyone who wants to display their vehicle, so whether you have a classic car, a custom build, or a sleek new model, we encourage you to join us and share your pride and joy with the community.
Even if you're not showing a car, we invite you to come out and enjoy the day. This is an excellent event for families, car enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to experience what Vashon Island offers. Share the word with your friends and neighbors, and let's make this year's car show the best yet!
Save the Date! - Mark your calendars for SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2025.
The 15th Annual Vashon Island Strawberry Festival Car Show & Parade will be a day to remember! We can't wait to see you there. Whether you're coming for the cars, the food, the music, or to enjoy the sense of community that makes Vashon Island so unique, this is one event you won't want to miss.
We look forward to celebrating with all of you. Lets make this years car show the best one yet!
See you there!
Island Insurance
Miriam, Chastity, James & Team!
9 AM - 10 AM: Day-Of Registration & Parade Staging at Vashon Center for the Arts - 19600 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon, WA 98070 -
10 AM - 10:30 - Parade through Uptown Vashon
10:30 AM - 2 PM - Car Show at Vashon Town Square - 17159 Vashon Hwy SW Vashon WA 98070 -
1:30 PM Award Show & Drivers Raffle Drawing
A total of 11 Awards will be given for 8 vehicle categories (list below), People's Choice, Best of Vashon (a vehicle that embodies a unique vibe, is full of character, rust ok! with maybe a cool back story or history) & of course, Best in Show
The Drivers Raffle Drawing includes collector items from Snap-On, Island Businesses and Island Insurance
Early Registration: $15
Day of Registration: $20
Info about 2025 T-Shirts Coming Soon!
Classifications
Antique Car: 1890 - 1965 Foreign and domestic.
Classics: 1965-1975 Foreign and domestic.
Muscle Car/ Hot Rods: American cars built between 1965 and 1975, adhering to the
hot-rodders philosophy of taking a small car and putting a large-displacement
engine in it.
Import Classics: Pre 1959 - Foreign manufacturers, such as MG, Porsche, Toyota,
Nissan, Mazda
Imports: 1959 -2026 Foreign manufacturers, such as MG, Porsche, Toyota, Nissan,
Mazda
Custom Car: 1890 - 1999 Any car with three or more significant modifications to the
body, engine and/or interior, including custom paint jobs, blowers, turbos, lowriders,
custom interiors, custom bodies.
Trucks & SUVs: 1890-2008
Modern Truck: 2008-2026
Modern: 1972-2026
More information right HERE
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL SUNDAY SHOWCASE!
FREE LIVE MUSIC | 21+ | No Consumption
Vashon Times Dispensary (right across from Dig Deep)
Sunday 7/20 | 2:00–4:20pm
Join us in the Vashon Strawberry Festival for real Island vibes—live, raw, and straight from the soul. Featuring Russ Baum – a powerhouse of folk, Americana & ska with a gritty, feel-good sound you don’t wanna miss. With special support from the talented Megan Baum!
Expect good tunes, great food, unique vendors, and that signature island energy we all love. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s for the grown folk (21+). No consumption at the event—just come vibe with us!
Be sure to check the Loop for the interview featuring the artist!
Spread the word & tag your festie crew!
Oneness Global Summit!
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - July 18, 19, and 20 - from 3-6pm (with a pot-luck dinner after each session) Live Zoom at home OR join us at Lewis Hall 23905 Vashon Hwy (up behind Burton Coffee stand).
Transform your life in an easy beautiful way, with ancient knowledge, mystic processes, and guided attention from world-renowned married couple Sri Preethaji and Sri Krishnaji. Join us for the first ever Oneness Global Summit. Yes, during Strawberry Festival on Vashon, after enjoying some fun during the morning and early afternoon, spend time with two delightful, enlightened teachers from India.
Treat yourself to this gift of an opportunity!
Day 1 – learn to dissolve stress and live life from a calm state
Day 2 – learn to nurture love abundance
Day 3 – experience a transformative journey to peace, love, and wealth abundance
We will be hosting a viewing event at Lewis Hall (up behind Burton Coffee stand) Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - July 18, 19, and 20 - from 3-6pm with a pot-luck dinner after each session (it’s a no-trash-bash so bring your own plates and utensils along with something to share). All ages, all genders, all humans welcome! Join us or attend from the comfort of your own home.
As Zoom spaces are limited, please take three minutes to register, it is absolutely free and you’ll be glad you did!
https://www.theonenessmovement.org/oneness-global-summit-en
Questions? Call Alix Clarke (206-388-9502) or Jim Packwood (206-259-1409)
Presented locally by Oneness Center Vashon
This massive cartoon by island artist Michelle Lassaline depicts an island in celebration — specifically the scene that takes over Vashon Town every year (and this weekend) as thousands upon thousands celebrate Strawberry Festival. Big thanks to the Beachcomber for sharing this amazing cartoon!
The Reptile Man.
Photo by Pete Welch.
Remember - all those people out there working during Strawberry Festival are doing just that...they're working on the busiest weekend of the year. Many of them are your brothers and sisters that live here on the island, some are from off-island. They are working hard, many of them in the hot sun. Take a moment to appreciate them and let them know we see you.