What Santa Maria Valley resident doesn’t dream of strawberries during springtime? With the scent of strawberries in the air as inspiration, students from all over Santa Barbara County submitted their artistic designs for inclusion in the Strawberry Art Contest, and this week judges named the winners.
Students were asked to re-imagine a single strawberries in a creative fashion. First place winners in each grade category received a $25 gift card and a family fun pack for four to the 2016 Santa Maria Strawberry Festival. The first place winner’s classroom also received a $150 gift card for classroom supplies.
Santa Maria Fairpark CEO Richard Persons said the contest brought in an impressive amount of responses, all with very unique interpretations of the theme.
“It’s always fun to watch the entries come in and see all of the talent that exists in the Santa Maria Valley,” Persons said. “It’s never easy to choose the winners.”
Ultimately, winners were indeed chosen. All of the entries will be on display during the Strawberry Festival for the community to admire.
2016 Strawberry Art Contest Winners
1st – 3rd Grade
1st Place: Victor Ramirez, Adam School
2nd Place: Caleb Arguijo, Jimenez School (pictured)
3rd Place: Kaleb Nogales, Rice Elementary School
4th – 6th Grade
1st Place: Yanire Martinez-Perez, Sanchez School
2nd Place: Maluari Alonso Martinez, Sanchez School
3rd Place: Aliyah Egbert, Trivium Charter School
7th – 8th Grade
1st Place: Yeymy Ruiz, Arellanes Jr. High
2nd Place: Ruby Cruz, Arellanes Jr. High
3rd Place: Jessica Vital, Arellance Jr. High
All entries will be on display in the Strawberry Pavilion during the Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival. This year the 29th Annual Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival will feature the theme, “A Sweet Adventure,” and run from April 29 through May 1.
For additional information, visit www.santamariafairpark.com or like the fairpark on Facebook.
— Shelly Cone represents the Santa Maria Fairpark.