Michigan's Sweetest Summer Festival

Copper Country Strawberry Festival

It seems unlikely that one of the Copper Country's most enduring traditions would begin with a strawberry. Yet the rich soils surrounding Chassell produced berries so sweet and sought-after that they were once packed onto railcars and shipped throughout the Midwest. What began as a thriving agricultural industry inspired a festival in 1949, celebrating the farmers, families, and communities that helped the region flourish. Today, thousands still gather each July during the Chassell Lion's Copper Country Strawberry Festival for parades, music, and more than 5,000 strawberry shortcakes, carrying forward a tradition rooted in the simple magic of a bright red berry thriving at the edge of Lake Superior.

What to Expect at the Chassell Strawberry Festival

Looking for classic Michigan summer events? The Copper Country Strawberry Festival is one of the Copper Country's most beloved traditions, drawing visitors from across the Upper Peninsula and Midwest for a weekend of local strawberries, family-friendly activities, parades, entertainment, and community celebrations. Held each July in Chassell, Michigan, the festival showcases the region's agricultural heritage while offering plenty of things to do for all ages.

Whether you're visiting for a portion of famous strawberry shortcake, cheering for strawberry-themed parade floats, browsing local artisans, or simply soaking up small-town summer charm, the festival offers an authentic Copper Country experience rooted in more than seven decades of tradition.

Festival Highlights

• Strawberry Shortcake – The festival's signature treat. More than 5,000 strawberry shortcakes are typically served each year, topped with locally grown Copper Country strawberries.
• The Strawberry Festival Parade – A colorful community parade featuring marching bands, floats, local organizations, and plenty of strawberry-themed creativity.
• Children's Costume Parade – One of the festival's most charming traditions, where kids show off costumes and themed entries in a parade of their own.
• Strawberry Queen Competition – A longstanding festival tradition that recognizes outstanding young women from the community through interviews, public appearances, and scholarship opportunities.
• Arts & Crafts Vendors – Browse dozens of local makers, artists, and vendors throughout the festival grounds.
• Strawberry Auction – Bid on strawberry-themed baked goods, preserves, fresh berries, and other unique items while supporting community projects.
• Volunteer Strawberry Cleaning Night – Become part of the tradition by helping prepare local berries for thousands of shortcakes. Community members gather on Thursday evening before the festival to cap, slice, and share stories before the festival begins. Visitors are welcome to lend a hand!