Welcome!
The Berry Dairy Days Festival is set to take place on Friday, June 20, and will run through Sunday, June 22, 2025. This year, we have implemented a few significant changes to the festival. One of the most notable changes is the new location for the Festival in the Park. Since 2014, vendors, live entertainment, the kids’ zone, and the majority of the festival’s featured events have been held at the Visitor Information Center off Fairhaven Avenue. However, we have determined that it is time to move the festival to Skagit River Park, still located in our cherished Burlington. We have outgrown our previous location on Fairhaven Avenue due to space constraints, and we also had concerns about the safety of directing 16,000 attendees up and down Fairhaven Avenue, which involves crossing two active railroad tracks during the event. Additionally, for the first time, the Burlington Chamber will host the festival for all three days, making Berry Dairy Days a full-fledged three-day event. It’s also important to note that this year, the festival will not coincide with Father’s Day weekend, but it will still occur on the third weekend of June. We want to express our appreciation for your continued support and enthusiasm for this event, which remains one of the best small-town festivals in Skagit County.
We would like to express our gratitude to our title supporter, Peoples Bank, for returning to support and celebrate another year with us. This FREE, family-friendly event promises to keep everyone entertained throughout the three-day festival. While you’re visiting Burlington, stop by one of our U-pick berry & farm stands, local ice cream shops, take a farm tour, or explore our beautiful parks.
We have continued our partnership with Skagit Transit to ensure easy parking for the Grand Parade in Historical Fairhaven. Parking will be available at the Chuckanut Park and Ride (999 N. Burlington Blvd.), and a complimentary Skagit Transit shuttle will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., alternating every 20 minutes between Chuckanut Park and Ride and the corner of N. Spruce Street and E. Victoria Avenue. Strawberry Shortcake will be available, as always, served by the Burlington-Edison High School cheerleaders. You can find them from Friday to
Sunday at Skagit River Park in the food vendor section. We love to support our kids in any way we can, and this is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Burlington-Edison Cheer program each year.
Join us at Skagit River Park on Friday, June 20 as we kick off Berry Dairy Days weekend with the Festival in the Park. Enjoy live entertainment provided by Trico Company and Cedar Lumber throughout the weekend. While you’re there, explore our food court featuring 16 food vendors and browse through 100 different vendors. This year, Avenue Catering is introducing a beer garden, so you can relax with a beer or cider at the BDD beer garden while enjoying the festivities.
We have activities for all ages, and participation is completely FREE! The BDD Kids’ Zone will be open all three days, from Friday through Sunday. Hub City Church and WECU will host over 30 booths with kids’ games to entertain our youngest guests for hours. Additionally, we offer a FREE Teen Zone for middle and high school students all weekend long. Thanks to the Burlington Healthy Community Coalition and the Skagit Valley Family YMCA, we’re providing a dedicated space just for teens this year.
The Berry Dairy Days Road Run is back with both 5K and 10K distances. The run will start and end at Skagit River Park, and all participants will receive a delicious strawberry shortcake upon completion! So, lace up your running shoes and get ready to stretch
your legs!
Don’t miss the Berry Dairy Days Grand Parade, which will begin Saturday, June 21 at 10 a.m. — one hour earlier than in previous years. The parade will proceed down E. Fairhaven from S. Walnut Street to S. Skagit Street, featuring this year’s Grand Marshals, Mike and Jeannie Youngquist from Mike and Jean’s Berries. They have been strong advocates for agriculture in Skagit County and proud supporters of Berry Dairy Days. Mike and Jean’s berries have supplied strawberries for our shortcake booth for several years, making them a staple in the agricultural community. Come down and show your support!
Also, remember the “Beat the Berry” kids’ dash, where your most energetic child can race against one of the famous Berry Dairy Days berries! The kids will compete to see if they can outrun either the Sassy Strawberry or the Blazing Blueberry in a short race down the parade route starting at 9:40 a.m. Winners will receive a “Beat the Berry” sticker to proudly display.
All of Friday’s festivities will continue into Saturday, and we will add a BBQ competition with tasting samples available for Saturday only. The Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association has sanctioned our event, featuring approximately 30 BBQ competitors, who will provide one-day sampling for the public. Be sure to come back on Saturday after the Grand Parade to chat with the competitors and sample some of the best smoked meats and side dishes while supplies last.
Additionally, on Saturday only, the Kiwanis Fred Stump Memorial Salmon Barbecue will be held at the Senior Center on Greenleaf Avenue, adjacent to Maiben Park. Don’t miss out on delicious BBQ salmon while supplies last!
On Sunday at Skagit River Park, the cornhole tournament hosted by “Upper Left Cornhole” will start at 11 a.m. A double elimination bracket for teams up to 32 teams can register. All ages and all skill levels are welcome, so make sure to sign up today!
Don’t miss the featured event on Sunday along E. Fairhaven Avenue: the Berry Cool Car Show. You will have the opportunity to see over 100 classic cars from all over the state. This event is hosted by the North
Cascade Street Rod Association (NCSRA), and the proceeds will go toward a scholarship for a deserving student enrolled in the mechanics program at Skagit Valley Community College.
We would like to express our gratitude to the City of Burlington for the invaluable support throughout Berry Dairy Days week. The additional assistance and workforce behind the scenes have not gone unnoticed.
A special thank you goes out to the Chamber staff and volunteers. It takes over 75 volunteers and 115 volunteer shifts to keep Berry Dairy Days running smoothly each year.
We appreciate everyone involved—from supporters to spectators—who contribute to the success of this event. You are the reason we can celebrate Berry Dairy Days year after year!
We are excited to welcome you to this year’s Berry Dairy Days Festival weekend and hope you have a wonderful time! For all the information and maps related to this beloved event, please visit Berrydairydays.com.
Steph Rees
President & CEO
Burlington Chamber of Commerce
Peoples Bank Biography
Peoples Bank has served the community for over 100 years and operates 23 locations throughout Washington State. Their unwavering commitment to their employees, customers, and local communities is what makes them a true community bank and distinguishes them from other banks in the area. The Bank provides generous support to local organizations through giving and community service campaigns, and its employee benefits programs support professional growth and personal well-being. “We are committed to recruiting locally and creating jobs and long-term career opportunities for the rural, small town, and urban communities where we live and work. Our stable and ongoing growth is predicated on the same values that we started with: be responsible, dedicated to our customers, and serve our local communities beyond the business of banking. Over the years we have learned that delivering on our promise, ‘A Higher Level of Service,’ always starts and ends with people. We are a proud member of the local communities in which we operate, and we are honored to serve your banking needs.”
Visit www.peoplesbank-wa.com for more information.
THURSDAY 6/20 SUNDAY 6/22
2025 Berry Dairy Days Schedule
June 20-22, 2025
Schedule of events will also be available with maps at www.berrydairydays.com/berrydairydaysschedule.
Friday, June 20
1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Berry Farm Tours
4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Friday, June 20- Friday Night Kick Off at Skagit River Park (1100 S. Skagit St.)
4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Strawberry Shortcake Booth
4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Free Kid Zone supported by Hub City Church and WECU at Skagit River Park.
4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Free Teen Zone supported by Burlington Healthy Community Coalition and Skagit Valley Family YMCA at Skagit River Park.
5:00 p.m. – 9 p.m., Beer Garden presented by Avenue Catering
6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Live Entertainment Stage Shows at Skagit River Park, presented by Sound Cedar & TRICO Companies, LLC (1100 S. Skagit Street)
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Soul Siren
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Community Stage: Kids & Teen Zone “minute to win it” games
8:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., Soul Siren
Saturday, June 21
There will be a complimentary Skagit Transit shuttle for the Grand Parade, running 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., alternating every 20 minutes. Park your car for free at the Chuckanut Park & Ride at 999 N. Burlington Blvd. The shuttle will pick you up there and drop you off near the heart of the festival at the corner of N. Spruce Street and E. Victoria Avenue.
8 a.m. – 11 a.m., 5K & 10K Road Run at Skagit River Park
9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m., Beat the Berry Kids Dash in Historic Downtown Burlington
10 a.m., Grand Parade on East Fairhaven Avenue in Historic Downtown Burlington
11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Smoke & Grill BBQ PUBLIC tasting & sampling day
11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Festival in the Park & Vendor Fair at Skagit River Park (1100 S. Skagit St., Burlington)
11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Strawberry Shortcake booth at Skagit River Park (1100 S. Skagit St., Burlington)
11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Kiwanis Salmon BBQ at Maiben Park- 1011 Greenleaf Ave (Burlington Senior Center)
12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Beer Garden, presented by Avenue Catering
12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Free Kid Zone supported by Hub City Church and WECU at Skagit River Park.
12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Free Teen Zone supported by Skagit Valley Family YMCA at Skagit River Park.
12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Live Entertainment Stage Shows at Skagit River Park, presented by Sound Cedar & TRICO Companies, LLC (1100 S. Skagit Street)
12 p.m. – 2 p.m., Dangerous Curves
2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Community Stage: Grupo Folklorico MI TIERRA
2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., Pie Eating Contest
3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Minimum Wage Band
Sunday, June 22
10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Berry Cool Car Show, along E. Fairhaven Avenue
11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Cornhole Tournament at Skagit River Park (1100 S. Skagit St., Burlington)
11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Festival in the Park & Vendor Fair at Skagit River Park (1100 S. Skagit St., Burlington)
11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Beer Garden presented by Avenue Catering
11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Strawberry Shortcake booth at Skagit River Park
11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Free Kid Zone supported by Hub City Church and WECU at Skagit River Park.
11 p.m. – 4 p.m., Free Teen Zone supported by Skagit Valley Family YMCA at Skagit River Park.
11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Smoke & Grill Competition, sanctioned by the Pacific NW BBQ Associations at Skagit River Park- Closed to the Public.
11 p.m. – 4 p.m., Live Entertainment Stage Shows at Skagit River Park, presented by Sound Cedar & TRICO Companies, LLC (1100 S. Skagit Street)
11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Skagit Swings Big Band
1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Community Stage: Pet Fashion Show!
2 p.m. – 4 p.m., The Fender Benders
BBerry Dairy Days History
erry Dairy Days began as the “Strawberry Festival” and even though the name changed a couple decades later, the festivities have been a consistent part of the community for the past 88 years! Berry Dairy Days continues to celebrate Burlington’s history, agriculture, farming, traditions, and community. The Chamber wishes to thank Peoples Bank for their continued support of the festival. As the 2025 title supporter, they support the entire three-day festival.
In 1937, the first annual “Berry Dairy Days” was launched when the Burlington volunteer firefighters organized a fundraiser to purchase new equipment. The community event served as a fundraiser and a way to celebrate strawberry farming in Burlington. To add excitement and draw a crowd, they made a giant strawberry shortcake that was pulled down Fairhaven
Avenue in red wagons. Pieces of the cake were handed to the crowd that had gathered to catch a glimpse of the shortcake.
Over the years, the festival grew not only in size but in scope. In 1965, the event was handed over to the Burlington Chamber of Commerce to continue the tradition. Then President Roger Hulbush, along with other community members, decided to re-name the festival “Berry Dairy Days” to reflect the growing influence of the dairy business and ongoing strawberry farming in Burlington.
Many community members have fond memories of Berry Dairy Days throughout the years. Duane Stowe is the owner of the second oldest business in Burlington, Stowe’s Shoes & Clothing. He remembers the local strawberry processing plant and the effect it had on the community. Roger Hulbush was the original owner of the oldest business in Burlington, Hulbush
Funeral Home. Before he passed in January 2024, he recalled one of his many memories of the Berry Dairy Days Grand Parade: “It was about 1970 and local firefighters dressed up as clowns to help line up the parade participants and drove a convertible car in the parade.”
Berry Dairy Days is one of the oldest festivals in Skagit County but the Burlington Chamber of Commerce keeps it fresh and fun every year while maintaining traditional favorites like the Grand Parade, Festival in the Park, and endless amounts of strawberry shortcake all weekend long.
Join us for a weekend full of community events and strawberry shortcake! For a full schedule of events or more information please see the event schedule, visit www. BerryDairyDays.com or email info@ burlington-chamber.com.
Berry Dairy Days 5K and 10K Races, Presented by Skagit Runners-Run the Valley
On Saturday, June 21, there will be two opportunities to get out and run with the 5K and 10K race distances hosted by Skagit Runners! The races will begin at 9 a.m. at Skagit River Park at 1100 S. Skagit St., Burlington, WA. Racers should check in at 8 a.m.
Berry Dairy Days is excited for the return of the Fun Run! The courses will take to the streets of Burlington, run along the scenic river views on the dike, and finish in the park in time to head over to the Grand Parade. The cost to participate in the 5K is $30.00 and 10K is $40.00.
Every pre-registered participant will receive a finisher medal and ticket for a sweet treat from the strawberry shortcake booth (same-day registrants are not guaranteed a finisher medal). Special awards will be given to the top 3 male and female finishers.
Official “Run the Valley with Skagit Runners” Berry Dairy Days T-shirts will be available for purchase during the registration process for $20!
Register today at https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/Burlington/ BerryDairyDays5KAnd10KRace
Beat the Berry Dash, presented by Burlington Chamber of Commerce
Your kids can let off some steam before the parade on Saturday, June 21, when they participate in the Beat the Berry Dash! This is a free event for kids aged six to 12. Racers will meet at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Information Center at 520 E. Fairhaven Avenue in Downtown Historic Burlington. The race for kids aged six and under will begin at 9:40 a.m., and the race for kids aged seven-12 will begin immediately after. Both age groups will dash on the parade street to a crowd cheering them on as they show off their running skills and Beat the Berries mascots!
No registration is required.
Festival in the Park hosted by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce
New this year, the Festival in the Park will be held at the Skagit River Park & Playfields location at 1100 S. Skagit St., Burlington, WA, 98233 and hosted fully by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce! With more parking, vendors, and festival events, we are excited to welcome you to three days of JAM-PACKED FAMILY FUN!
The festivities will take place:
Friday, June 20, from 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 21, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 22, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday Night Kick-Off Festival at Skagit River Park, presented by Peoples Bank
Bring the whole family down to kick off Berry Dairy Days at the Skagit River Park on Friday, June 20! Skagit River Park is the perfect place to enjoy the first (and longest) day of summer. You’ll be in for an evening of family-friendly live music, Free Kid Zone, Free Teen Zone, vendor fair, delicious food, strawberry shortcakes, and more!
4 p.m.- 9 p.m., Food Vendors
4 p.m.- 9 p.m., The Strawberry Shortcake Booth presented by Franz Bakery & Sakuma Bros.
4 p.m.– 9 p.m., FREE Kid Zone & Teen Zone: Kid Zone presented by WECU & Hub City Church;
Teen Zone presented by Skagit Valley Family YMCA & Burlington Healthy Community Coalition.
5 p.m.– 9 p.m., Beer Garden, presented by Avenue catering
6 p.m.– 9:30 p.m., Live entertainment (See Entertainment Stage Schedule page for acts)
Saturday Events
After the 5K & 10K Runs, Beat the Berry Kids Dash, and Grand Parade on Saturday, adventure over to Skagit River Park & Playfields for great family fun, local food, vendor fair, Smoke & Grill BBQ public sampling, live music & entertainment, strawberry shortcake, Free Kid & Teen Zones, and more!
• Live music presented by Sound Cedar and TRICO Companies. (See Entertainment Stage page for full list of performers and times.)
• Free Kids’ Zone hosted by Hub City Church and WECU. There will be over 30 booths with games and prizes!
• Free Teen Zone hosted by Burlington Healthy Communities Coalition and Skagit Family YMCA.
• The Strawberry Shortcake Booth at Skagit River Park! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the B-EHS Cheerleaders.
• Smoke & Grill Competition sanctioned by PNWBA, presented by Dwayne Lanes Skagit Subaru and NextEra Energy Resources. Public sampling day is Saturday, June 21, 2025.
Looking for the Kiwanis Salmon BBQ? B-E Kiwanis’s Fred Stump Memorial Salmon Barbeque will be held at Maiben Park, 1011 Greenleaf Ave., Burlington, WA.
Sunday Events
On Sunday, the family fun, local food, live music, craft and commercial vendors continues:
• Live music presented by Sound Cedar and TRICO Companies. (See Entertainment Stage page for full list of performers and times.)
• Free Kids’ Zone hosted by Hub City Church and WECU with over 30 booths with games and prizes!
• Free Teen Zone hosted by Burlington Healthy Communities Coalition and Skagit Family YMCA.
• The Strawberry Shortcake Booth at Skagit River Park. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the B-E Cheerleaders.
• Smoke & Grill Competition Day sanctioned by PNWBA and presented by Dwayne Lanes Skagit Subaru and NextEra Energy, closed to public on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
• The 3rd annual Cornhole Tournament, which will run in partnership with Upper Left Cornhole. Prizes and cash winnings will be given to the top teams! For more information and to register visit www.berrydairydays. com/cornhole-tournament.
• Berry Cool Car Show on E. Fairhaven Avenue, hosted by the North Cascade Street Rod Association.
76th Annual Fred Stump Memorial Salmon Barbeque, presented by Burlington Edison Kiwanis Club
The Fred Stump Memorial Salmon Barbeque is one of the Burlington Edison Kiwanis Club’s biggest annual fundraisers. The community comes out to enjoy a delicious salmon meal and the money raised goes to support the Kiwanis Club of Burlington-Edison’s charitable contributions, including between $15,000 to $20,000 worth of scholarships to the Burlington-Edison High School, funding the Key Club (the high school chapter of Kiwanis), and various local senior and children’s charities and programs.
About 1,100 pounds of salmon will be served during this event. The meal includes charbroiled salmon with secret sauce, baked potato with sour cream and butter on the side, coleslaw, dinner roll, beverage, and dessert. According to longtime Burlington resident Roger Hulbush, the secret sauce was invented in 1957 by his dad Walter. His dad made the sauce for years then passed duties on to Roger. Roger eventually asked his trusted cleaning lady to take over the sauce making only to discover that she left out a key ingredient for years.
The cost of the meal is $25 (no children’s meals).
This year there will be two ways to enjoy the wonderful salmon barbeque fundraiser:
The Maiben Park barbeque at 1011 Greenleaf Ave. will be held on Saturday, June 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Kiwanis Club built the Maiben Park barbeque pit in the mid-1960s, especially for this event.
To-go meals will be available for business owners who want to feed their employees and support the cause; orders are delivered to businesses on Saturday. Most years more than 150 meals are ordered! To purchase to-go meals please call Les Tokarchuk at 360-391-3721; orders will be taken up until 5 p.m. on Friday, June 20.
Event History
The Burlington-Edison Kiwanis Club was founded on December 13, 1948 by Steve Johns; the club’s first president was Clarence Judy. The Kiwanis mission is to serve the children of the world one child, one family, and one community at a time. The local chapter has always taken their mission seriously.
The Salmon Barbeque was started by Kiwanis Club members in 1949 to raise money for the construction of a local community center.
Raised in the Puyallup Valley, Fred Stump and his wife Betty moved to Burlington in the early 1960s for a partnership in the Skagit Animal Clinic. Fred joined Kiwanis at that time and became an enthusiastic promoter and participant of the Salmon Barbeque; many years he would sell over 200 tickets. His widow, Betty Stump, once said, “Fred had a way with people— you didn’t say no to Fred.” The fundraiser was renamed the Fred Stump Memorial Salmon Barbeque after he passed away in May, 1992. Betty lived in Burlington until her death in July, 2023.
BSound Cedar Lumber and TRICO Companies
ring the whole family out to enjoy live music, dancing, and a pie-eating contest on the Sound Cedar Lumber and TRICO Companies live entertainment stage at Skagit River Park at 1100 S. Skagit St., Burlington. There will be live entertainment Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!
Friday, June 20, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Soul Siren, a high energy entertainment group playing soul, funk, ‘80s, ‘90s, and today’s top dance hits.
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Community Stage: Kids & Teen Zone “minute to win it” games
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Soul Siren
Saturday, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
12 p.m. - 2 p.m., Dangerous Curves - a tight-knit trio with a sound that is bold, rockin’, and full of energy!
2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Community Stage: Grupo Folklorico MI TIERRA, a Mexican folk-dance group
2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., Pie Eating Contest! Winners receive a FREE strawberry shortcake!
3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Minimum Wage Band - bring a wide variety of genres that merge into a blend of toe-tapping rock and roll!
Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Skagit Swings Big Band an ensemble dedicated to celebrating and revitalizing Jazz and Swing music.
1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Community Stage: Pet Fashion Show & Games!
2 p.m. - 4 p.m., The Fender Benders are a classic rock and roll jam band.
Sponsor Biographies:
Founded in 1980 in Downtown Conway, Sound Cedar Lumber specializes in Western Red Cedar products, but their 8,000 sq ft showroom and 14,000 sq ft warehouse also house several other types of lumber, along with a variety of building materials for just about every project on your list. Over the years, it has been relocated a few times before moving to its present location more than 20 years ago at 2600 Cedardale Rd. in Mount Vernon, just off I-5. In 2018, after working at Sound Cedar Lumber for 12 years, Robert Desmarais bought the business and, with the help of his staff and family, has since transformed the store into not only a cedar specialty store, but a lot more as well.
Since 1979, TRICO Companies has been a proud part of the Skagit Valley community. As a full-service DesignBuild General Contractor, the company is known for a collaborative approach and creative problem-solving in construction. Specializing in Commercial, Retail, Medical, Civic, Tenant Improvements, Remodels, Food Processing, and Civil Site Work, TRICO consistently delivers customized construction solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. An integrated Design-Build approach fosters clear communication, innovation, and efficiency throughout every project phase.
Berry Dairy Days Grand Parade, Sponsored by Skagit Farmers
Supply/Country Store and Swinomish Casino & Lodge
Promoting community spirit and participation, the 88th annual Berry Dairy Days Grand Parade is sponsored by Skagit Farmers Supply/Country Store and Swinomish Casino & Lodge. Kicking off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, this event is one of the weekend’s many highlights. Following tradition, the 2025 Grand Parade will run east down Fairhaven Avenue, between Walnut and Skagit streets in downtown Burlington. After the parade, enjoy the Festival in the Park located around the Burlington Visitors Information Center off E. Fairhaven Avenue.
Thousands of spectators come out to support the community and see 70 or more floats/ performances. You are likely to see the famous steam tractor owned by Oscar Lagerlund, marching bands, drill and dance teams, 4-H clubs, antique John Deere tractors, local gymnasts and musicians; along with representatives from many local businesses, organizations, and civic groups.
Locally selected judges will award the first, second, and third place parade winners. Winners will be announced on the Berry Dairy Days Facebook page on Monday, June 17th and published on the website the following week.
There will be a complimentary Grand Parade Shuttle provided by Skagit Transit. The shuttle will only be available for the Grand Parade, between 8 a.m. –1 p.m., alternating every 20 minutes. Park your car for free at the Chuckanut Park & Ride at 999 N. Burlington Blvd. The shuttle will pick you up there and drop you off near the center of the parade at the corner of N. Spruce St. and E. Victoria Ave.
2025 Grand Marshal: Mike & Jeanne Jungquist
The Berry Dairy Days committee is pleased to announce Mike and Jeanne Youngquist as the grand marshals for the 88th annual Grand Parade. They are beloved Skagit County berry farmers and respected community leaders. Jeanne was part of the inaugural class of Leadership Skagit, while Mike played a key role in launching the Agriculture Forestry Leadership Program as a founding member of its development committee, 46 years ago.
In addition to growing fresh berries, the couple has spent decades supporting the region’s agricultural heritage, providing berries for service clubs across the state for their fundraisers, and mentoring local youth through their preschool for farm families. “It is our belief that a business has a responsibility to its community
and to its employees. We invest in the future of our community and continue to be involved in organizations that are responsible for positive progress for our community and agricultural business,” shared Jeanne.
Both Mike and Jeanne grew up on farms and were active in 4-H before graduating from Washington State University. After marrying, they expanded the Youngquist Homestead into a flourishing berry farm in 1969, selling strawberries and raspberries at berry stands across the county. “With the inspiration and mentorship we received from other local berry farmers in Skagit County – particularly the Sakumas and the Hulberts – we were able to launch a successful berry farm and give our employees the tools to make them successful. We are a family. We have always found that working together is way more efficient than a top-down organization,” said Mike. “Many migrant pickers who came
north to pick berries at our farm had only a third-grade education, but they pushed their children to succeed, and their hard work helped create middle-class opportunities in just one generation. We’re proud of the success stories that grew from our berry fields. Those are the truly rewarding moments.”
Being named grand marshals is a full-circle moment for the pair,
especially for Jeanne, who fondly recalls attending Berry Dairy Days as a child since the 1940s. “It is quite an honor to be selected. It’s a long-anticipated celebration every year and I think it’s amazing that Berry Dairy Days has endured for all these years and is still thriving after Covid. It’s quite a tribute to the many things that make Skagit County alive, and a place of support one for another. I believe it’s lasted because people truly love the flavorful, beautiful strawberries we grow here in the Skagit Valley.” “Washington State University developed many of the good flavored berries grown in the Northwest, which were then propagated by Sakuma Bros for all berry growers. We want to use this honor to thank the community for supporting farmland and standing behind local agriculture,” added Mike.
Sponsor Biographies
Swinomish Casino & Lodge is operated by the Swinomish Tribe, a community of Coast Salish peoples. They are descendants of groups and bands originating in the Skagit and Samish River valleys, the surrounding coastal areas and islands- including Fidalgo, Camano, Whidbey and the San Juan Islands. The Swinomish Casino & Lodge offers a full casino experience including slots, table games, sportsbook, and EZ Keno Kiosk plus a luxurious hotel and event rooms to expand your stay or host a private event.
Skagit Farmers Supply/Country Store is a diversified agricultural cooperative with a mission to support agriculture. The store strives to provide quality goods and services to their many customers across their four business units: Agronomy, Energy, Retail Country Store, and the AFCO Wholesale & Milling department. With good management and continuity on the board of directors, the business has been able to stay true to their cooperative values and committed to the communities they do business in.
For more information about the parade please call the Burlington Chamber of Commerce at 360-7570994.
Avoid the rush and sign your float up early! Download your application at: www.BerryDairyDays.com
2024 Grand Parade - photos by Hub City Church
LFurry Friends and Family Fun: Pet Adoption & Activities at Berry Dairy Days!
ooking to add a new member to your family? Meet adoptable dogs, cats, and small animals from local shelters and rescues. Berry Dairy Days, Burlington’s beloved annual celebration of summer, strawberries, and small-town charm, is going to the dogs—and cats, guinea pigs, and more! This year, we’re thrilled to introduce a special Pet Adoption and Pet Activity Event as part of the festival, happening on Sunday, June 22, at Skagit River Park.
Whether you’re looking to add a four-legged friend to your family or enjoy a day of tail-wagging fun, this event is for animal lovers of all ages.
We are partnering with local shelters and rescues, including Skagit Humane Society, SPOT, Because We Care Rescue, and Forgotten Kingdom Animal Shelter, to bring adoptable pets right to the festival. Meet adorable dogs, cuddly cats, and other rescue animals looking for their furrever homes. Volunteers will be on hand to help you find your perfect match and walk you through the adoption process.
Pet Activity Zone
Already have a furry friend? Bring them along! The Pet Activity Zone will be packed with fun:
• Interactive Games & Challenges: Engage in fun activities designed for pets and their humans.
• Pet Costume Contest (1 p.m.): Dress up your pet and enter for a chance to win fun prizes!
• Vendors: Meet local groomers, animal adoption agencies, local resources, supplies, and toy vendors, too.
Free Admission & Family-Friendly
This event is free to attend and open to all ages. Enjoy a day of family-friendly activities, delicious food, and the chance to find your new best friend!
The Pet Adoption & Activity Event is free with festival admission and open to the public. It’s a great way for families to learn more about pet care, responsible adoption, and the joy of animal companionship – all while enjoying the food, music, and classic Berry Dairy Days fun.
Event Details:
When: Sunday, June 22, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Where: Skagit River Park, 1100 S. Skagit St., Burlington, WA 98233
What to Bring: Leashed pets, curiosity, and your best pet costume!
Come for the berries, stay for the barks! Help us make this a paw-sitively unforgettable part of Berry Dairy Days.
JBerry Cool Car Show, Presented by the North Cascade Street Rod Association
oin us for the 2025 Berry Cool Car Show! We’ve got oldies tunes and a wide range of beautiful classics to muscle cars and everything in between.
The 27th annual Berry Cool Car Show will be held on Sunday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along E. Fairhaven Avenue. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and costs $20. On average, the show has 150 cars on display. Dash plaques are provided to the first 175 cars.
The event is free to spectators but is organized and financially supported by the NCSRA. Raffle tickets purchased at the show along with prizes donated by local sponsors also contribute to the show’s success. The money raised helps to pay tuition and books at the Skagit Valley College’s Auto Technology Program (two-year program).
Local merchants on E. Fairhaven Avenue sponsor the show, staying open especially for the event and donating funding for the trophies. Thank you to long-time supporter Stowe’s Shoes & Clothing who opens their store during the show.
First and second place trophies will be awarded to each
class, voted on by a team of judges handpicked the day of the show. Show classes are 31 and older, ‘32-‘39, ‘40-‘48, ‘49-‘59, ‘60s, ‘70s and newer, and 1985 and older motorcycles. Special categories include, Best Truck, Best Paint, Best Survivor, Best Low Rider, and the big prize: Kahuna Best in Show. Thank you to all of our award sponsors!
Reed Harlow will return for his 10th year organizing the car show. Harlow is a decades-long North Cascade Street Rod Association (NCSRA) member and past president. Born in Mount Vernon and raised in Anacortes, Reed has lived in Skagit County his whole life; he now lives in Burlington. Harlow retired from Cascade Natural Gas in October 2014 after 41 years of service. He has been attending the Berry Dairy Days Car Show since its opening year and is friends with both Garnor Bensen and Les Tokarchuk who were founders of the original car shows.
Don’t forget to visit the BurlingtonEdison High School cheerleaders strawberry shortcake booth between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Festival in the Park at Skagit River Park.
The Berry Dairy Days Smoke & Grill Competition, presented by Dwayne Lane’s Skagit Subaru and NextEra Energy
Sanctioned by the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association
Public sampling day: Saturday, June 21, 2025, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is FREE.
Follow us on social media at Berry Dairy Days for ways to learn about tasting opportunities!
The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the Berry Dairy Days Smoke & Grill Competition is back and BIGGER than ever! Now fully sanctioned by the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association, join us at Skagit River Park for a full day of sampling on Saturday, June 21!
Get ready for a sizzling showdown! 30 + Smoke & Grill competitors from all over the Pacific Northwest will go headto-head in the following four categories for the ultimate recognition and a prize pool of $4,000: pork, brisket, chicken, and pork ribs! The Pacific Northwest BBQ Association will provide the judging for the Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, and 1st through 8th places.
It’s not just about the BBQ! Enjoy live music and entertainment on the stage during this fun-filled, family-friendly event.
Visit www.berrydairydays.com/bddsmokeandgrillcompetition for more information.
Live Music on the Sound Cedar & TRICO Companies Stage:
12 p.m. - 2 p.m. – Dangerous Curves
2 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Community Stage: Grupo Folklórico Mi Tierra & Pie Eating Contest
3 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Minimum Wage Band
Sponsor Biographies:
Dwayne Lane’s Skagit Subaru is part of Dwayne Lane’s Auto Family, which has been serving the community since 1954. The locally owned company has five full-service dealerships in Everett, Arlington, and Burlington, offering new and used vehicles. The company prides itself on its excellent customer service, award winning parts, and Express Lube service. The Dwayne Lane team believes in giving back to the community and is proud to support local sports teams, youth programs, and other community projects through monetary support, and the time and talents of its employees.
NextEra Energy Resources, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc., is one of the largest U.S. wholesale power generators. It operates a diverse 33,410 MW portfolio including renewables, storage, natural gas, and nuclear. In addition, the company runs safe, reliable nuclear plants and provides integrated energy solutions nationwide. Headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, it supports utilities and businesses in meeting energy demands efficiently. Learn more at www. NextEraEnergyResources.com.
