An Important Community Update from the Burlington Chamber of Commerce
In 1937, Burlington's volunteer firefighters came together with a simple goal: to raise money for much-needed equipment to serve their community. They organized a Strawberry Festival, created a giant strawberry shortcake, and shared it with their neighbors.
What started as a small community fundraiser grew into one of Skagit County's longest-running and most beloved traditions.
In 1965, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce took over the celebration, renaming it Berry Dairy Days to honor our community's agricultural heritage.
Now, as we prepare to celebrate 90 years of Berry Dairy Days in 2027, we find ourselves facing some difficult challenges that may significantly change the festival as our community has come to know it.
We believe our community deserves to know what is happening, why these changes may be necessary, and what it will take to preserve this tradition for generations to come.
A Festival Built by Community
For nearly 90 years, Berry Dairy Days has been about more than strawberries, shortcake, parades, and entertainment. It has been about Burlington.
It is where generations of families have gathered, where neighbors reconnect, where children make memories, and where our local businesses and organizations come together to celebrate the community we call home.
Over the past decade, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, alongside countless volunteers, sponsors, businesses, and community partners, has worked tirelessly to grow Berry Dairy Days into the vibrant 3 day regional celebration it has become.
That growth didn't happen overnight. It took years of planning, dedication, financial investment, and a shared belief that Burlington deserves a festival we can all be proud of.
And we are incredibly proud of what we have built together.
Unfortunately, we now face some difficult realities.
The Challenges Facing Berry Dairy Days in 2027
We must find a new home for the festival.
The City of Burlington has informed the Chamber that Skagit River Park will no longer be available for Berry Dairy Days, as the City is prioritizing the park for sports tournaments.
While we recognize the importance of sports tourism to our local economy, losing our established festival location creates considerable challenges. Our committee is now working to identify a new location that can safely accommodate the festival, our vendors, entertainment, and the tens of thousands of people who attend.
We are also facing significant funding reductions.
Berry Dairy Days experienced substantial reductions in lodging tax funding in 2026, and we are facing another reduction in 2027.
These reductions impact more than the festival. They also affect Burlington's tourism marketing and Visitor Information Center, which help bring visitors into our community and support our local economy.
With rising event expenses, fewer financial resources, and the need to relocate, we must make some difficult decisions about what we can realistically sustain.
What This Means for the 90th Anniversary
Our Friday Night Kickoff Celebrations will not return in 2027.
Over the years, Friday night has brought some of the festival's most memorable experiences, including fireworks, a drone show, and the Hot Air Balloon Glow. These celebrations have brought families and visitors together and created memories that will last a lifetime.
Unfortunately, Friday night's activities have also been among the most expensive portions of the festival to produce. With the financial challenges ahead, we simply cannot sustain them in 2027.
Additional reductions to entertainment, activities, and the overall size of the festival may also be necessary as our committee works through the options.
These are not decisions we take lightly.
After spending the past ten years working to grow Berry Dairy Days, the possibility of scaling it back, especially during its 90th anniversary, is absolutely heartbreaking for me.
We had hoped to make this milestone one of our biggest celebrations yet. Instead, we are working to determine what we can preserve with the resources available.
But while the festival may look different in 2027, our commitment to Berry Dairy Days and the community it represents has not changed.
Ninety Years of Tradition Deserve a Future
Berry Dairy Days has been part of Burlington through generations of change. It has brought families together, celebrated our agricultural roots, supported local businesses, and reminded us of the importance of community.
For nearly 90 years, people have stepped forward to ensure this tradition continues.
Now, once again, we are asking our community to come together.
We need the support, creativity, and involvement of our businesses, sponsors, community organizations, volunteers, and residents. Whether through sponsorships, volunteering, helping identify a new location, or simply sharing ideas, every contribution can help shape the festival's future.
We want to be clear: We are not announcing the end of Berry Dairy Days. We are sharing the challenges we face because this festival means too much to our community to make these decisions without keeping you informed.
The Burlington Chamber of Commerce and Berry Dairy Days Committee remain committed to finding a way forward and creating a meaningful 90th anniversary celebration.
In 1937, a group of Burlington firefighters started something special because they believed in giving back to their community.
Ninety years later, that same spirit is what will carry Berry Dairy Days into the future.
Our hope is that 2027 won't simply be remembered as the year Berry Dairy Days had to become smaller, but as the year Burlington came together to protect a tradition worth preserving.
Berry Dairy Days has always been about community. Its future will depend on that same community spirit.
Let's work together to make sure there are many more years to celebrate.
With appreciation and determination,
Stephanie Rees
President & CEO
Burlington Chamber of Commerce
Connecting Commerce and Community