Strawberry Festival celebrates 25 years

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers MEETING THE MAKER- Graphic artist Kevin Parks of Ventura signs the official poster, which he designed, for the 2008 California Strawberry Festival during its unveiling ceremony at Yolanda's Mexican Cafe in Oxnard last week. The popular festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary this spring on May 17 and 18 at College Park in Oxnard.

The California Strawberry Festival is marking its silver anniversary with a poster featuring a sparkling champagne glass with a floating strawberry amidst a tapestry of festival posters from throughout the years.

Created by graphic artist Kevin Parks of Ventura, the design is framed with a green border with a metallic finish that calls attention to the silver anniversary celebration themed "25 Years of the Berry Best."

Festival patrons will find the design gracing posters, T-shirts, and festival merchandise at the festival May 17 and 18 at Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard.

Artist and creator Parks worked closely with the festival's all-volunteer board while creating the poster tapestry concept.

In collaboration with photographer Christopher Zsarnay, who created a festival poster design in 1991, Parks enhanced a photograph taken of a floating strawberry in a fluted glass to include reflections of posters that could not fit into the original tapestry, thus ensuring all 24 years of the festival were represented.

Parks served as art director and illustrator on projects for the Harlem Globetrotters, Fox Kids, the state of California 5-A-Day Program, Integrity Music and others.

He has worked for Scholastic Books, Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures. He owns and operates his own studio in Ventura.

The Studio Gallery in Channel Islands Harbor, 2741 S. Victoria Ave., will be selling Parks' collector festival poster in advance of the California Strawberry Festival, as well as showcasing all the festival posters since the event premiered.

A collection of festival posters throughout the decade is available for viewing at the CSF official website, www.strawberry-fest.org.