Swedish Festival in Kingsburg, California

Interesting Facts

Kingsburg is home to the nation's largest box of raisins built by students from California State University Fresno. Kingsburg headquarters Sun Maid Raisin Growers of California vineyards, which plant mainly raisins and table grapes and is the largest producer of dried fruits. Since1921 Kingsburg has been made up of mostly Swedish-American citizens and held onto its heritage with it's Swedish architecture and village Atmosphere.

The Annual May Swedish Festival

Once a year Kingsburg hosts the annual Swedish Festival the third week of May. Vendors line the streets with a multitude of food, drink and arts and crafts. Festivities usually last for three days and include a parade, pancake breakfast, entertainment, a carnival, folk dancing and a May Pole. The May Pole is a large multicolored pole, decorated with flowers and flags. People dance around the pole. There is not much known about the history of the May Pole. According to Ancient history, Germans used it as a pagan fertility pole. If you're into photography be sure to bring your camera.

Shopping and Restaurants

Kingsburg is a great place for shopping for collectors. There are two Fifty's Stores, antique stores and other gift shops. The main attraction is the 50's Place. The 50's Place has a huge variety of collectible memorabilia from the past. My friend and I go for the Coca-Cola collectibles. You will also find Mountain Dew, Pepsi Cola, Betty Boop, Elvis, James Dean, Lucy, the Three Stooges and Marilyn Monroe. There are neon clocks, kitchen accessories, books, signs and a lot more. The 50's Place is located on Draper Street, which is the main drag for Kingsburg. The 50's Place even decorates, caters and provide a jukebox and D.J. for class reunions, birthdays and community events. If you can't make the trip or just want to see a preview of Betty's shop go to her web site, the 50's Place and take the virtual tour.