Search

Green Vendor Program 2023 The Strawberry Festival is committed to improving its environmental footprint. Our first priority is reducing waste. Since Festival vendors provide food, drinks, crafts, and other materials for visitors, they can also play a key role in reducing the overall amount of waste and increasing the amount of recycling and organics captured during the festival. One of our best opportunities in reducing waste involves single-use plastics, such as straws, water bottles, and bags. For this reason the Strawberry Festival no longer permits the use or distribution of balloons during our event. Committing to a Greener Festival Vendors that are ready to support the Festival’s waste reduction goals are encouraged to take the Green Vendor Pledge. Green Vendors commit to: use greener alternatives for items such as bags, containers, and cutlery; reduce use of items that have a long-lasting negative impact on our environment, such as single-use plastics and Styrofoam; encourage customers to use reusable items such as tote bags and water bottles, and; support greening the festival by promoting waste reduction to festival attendees and the Stouffville community in general. All participating vendors will be recognized by: social media, website, and other applicable promotions prior to and during the festival a Green Vendor Lawn Sign, to be displayed at each booth Working Together to Find Green Solutions Reducing waste involves looking carefully at processes and products to find less wasteful ways to achieve the same outcome. For example: Some customers may not need or want a plastic bag to carry a small item, plastic cutlery for their meal, or a plastic straw for their beverage. Asking customers first may avoid unnecessary waste later. When a bag or plate or cup is required, using those made with greener materials (that can be recycled or composted) will reduce the amount of landfill waste (garbage). Reusable items (water bottles, coffee cups) have a much longer lifespan and do not end up as waste after one use. The Festival’s Green Team will work with each Green Vendor to consider the specific processes and products at their booth, and to find practical solutions that reduce waste without compromising product or service quality. All vendors that are ready to commit to reducing their waste are encouraged to take the Green Vendor Pledge, available by clicking HERE , or by emailing gogreen@strawberryfestival.ca . By taking the pledge, vendors agree to the actions outlined in the table below, as applicable. Guidelines for a Greener Festival To Use Paper/Reusable bags Compostable/ Recyclable containers Paper straws Cardboard, non-coated boxes only Eco-friendly gifts made of paper, recyclable and recycled materials To Do Ask first! Only give out bags, straws, etc. when needed Consider various or adjustable portion sizes to reduce unnecessary food waste Where possible, accept reusable containers & cups from customers Sell reusable bottles/cups – direct customer to festival water stations Use reusable shipping containers To Avoid Plastic Bags Bottled water Styrofoam and dark plastic takeout containers and cups Plastic straws Plastic & paper wax-coated boxes / crates - vendor booth waste Balloons (including biodegradable)

For important event information such as Parking Locations, Parking Restrictions, Street Closures, Family Safety Program and Event Safety, please go to: www.townofws.ca/strawfest Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions. ADMISSION - There is no cost to attend the festival—entry, live entertainment, and many activities are free for everyone to enjoy! Please note that food, beverages, rides, and vendor purchases are available at an additional cost. ACCESSIBLE PARKING is available. WASHROOMS are available at Memorial Park and Latcham Hall. There will also be porta potty units in the west and east sides of Memorial Park. POS DEVICES FOR CREDIT CARD AND DEBIT PAYMENT are available at The Red Berry Cafe and the Beer Trailer for alcohol sales. Please note that 2 ATM units will be onsite beside the Beer Trailer in Memorial Park. Vendors will offer POS devices at their discretion. DRINKING WATER - In an effort to reduce single-use plastics, the Strawberry Festival discourages the sale of bottled water. There will be a water re-fill station available for you to refill your reusable water bottle at no charge. The re-fill station will be located on the east side of the Main Stage. LOCATION - The festival takes place in and around Memorial Park, Stouffville, located on Park Drive between Main Street and Hoover Park Drive. DOGS are welcome at the festival but they must be friendly, leashed at all times, and picked up after. Please note that pets are not welcome inside any of the buildings or inside the tents. Please remember it is never ok to leave a pet unattended in a car.

The Strawberry Festival is striving to go green! Visitors Look for our Waste Stations located around the food vendor areas. There are bins for recycling, food waste/organics and regular waste. Quench your thirst with free, unlimited water from our two Water Stations located in the food vendor area. Bring reusable water bottles, food containers, cutlery, and bags and maximize your waste reduction! Vendors: Join our Green Vendor Program and receive additional promotion and recognition Food Vendors are eligible for a discount on registration fees! Help us reduce our waste footprint by using alternatives to single-use plastics, and by complying with our ‘no balloons’ policy. Take advantage of our 3-stream (recycling, organics, and garbage) disposal options, so food waste, cardboard boxes, and other recyclables can be properly collected. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM Climate Friendly Stouffville This year’s festival will showcase information to help residents make sustainable choices and take action on climate change. Here is a reference guide for upcycling your unwanted materials in Stouffville:

By attending the Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival, you are entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. Your presence at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with the Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news and advertising. By attending Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media. You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent.

Registration for Junior Division Grades 9-10 is now closed. CLICK TO VIEW RULES CLICK TO REGISTER CLICK TO VIEW AND PRINT WAIVER

2025 VENDOR REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED! Vendors should note the following 2025 changes: As a partner of the Strawberry Festival, the Town of Stouffville will be handling all vendor aspects including application intake, processing, and placement at the event. Vendors must attend and be operational for all dates and times of the event: Friday June 27, 5pm-9pm Saturday June 28, 10am-9pm Sunday June 29, 10am-9pm Questions? Email us at events@townofws.ca

The Strawberry Festival is striving to go green! Go Green We are excited to announce our new green initiatives to help the festival be greener than a field of strawberry plants in June! We have 4 new waste stations located around the food vendor areas. There are bins for recycling, food waste/organics and regular waste. We’d love to see the compost and recycling bins being used to their “full” potential! Even one item diverted from waste is great. No sure what bin to use? Volunteers will be mingling with our visitors to help with any questions you may have. We are happy to help you, so don’t be shy! WAIT! We aren’t done yet. Did you know about the new water stations? Bring your reusable water bottle and fill it up for free, tasty water to go with your even tastier festival snacks. Don't have your own? Visit our Info Booth to purchase a Festival-branded BPA-free water bottle. GREEN VENDOR PROGRAM Are you a new or returning Festival vendor? This program is for you! Our goal is to encourage and support our vendors to make greener choices to reduce the waste produced at the festival. Have you been interested in cutting back on your waste? We want to work with you to find sensible solutions for a greener festival. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM

THE WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL IS PROUD TO HOST THE 2025 PEOPLE OF THE YEAR AWARDS! And The Winners Are: 1/3

General Enquiry Volunteer Team GoGreen Team President Sponsor Team Vendor Team Entertainment Team info@strawberryfestival.ca volunteer@strawberryfestival.ca gogreen@strawberryfestival.ca president@strawberryfestival.ca sponsor@strawberryfestival.ca events@townofws.ca entertainment@strawberryfestival.ca 2025 Whitchurch Stouffville Strawberry Festival Board of Directors Nela Hunter-Burns (President) nela.hunter@strawberryfestival.ca Carla Rotondo (Treasurer) carla.rotondo@strawberryfestival.ca Sandy Baker (Secretary) sandy.baker@strawberryfestival.ca Felise Liuson (Director) felise.liuson@strawberryfestval.ca Mike Burns (Director / Past President) mike.burns@strawberryfestival.ca Follow Us on Social Media

Test Button