San Leandro Cherry Festival

Saturday, June 3, 2023, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Parade 10 a.m.

Downtown San Leandro
West Estudillo Avenue
Between Hays Street and San Leandro Boulevard
San Leandro, CA
Free, sanleandro.org

San Leandro Cherry Festival Parade at 10 a.m. 
Route: The approx. 1 mile route travels San Leandro Blvd. from Marina Boys & Girls Club to West Estudillo Ave. where the festival takes place. The parade includes, bands, floats, civic groups and kids clubs, local dignitaries, equestrian units and an entertaining time for all ages.

Parade entrants are judged for awards in categories:

• Cherry Festival Award - parade entry that shows the best Cherry Festival spirit
• San Leandro Spirit Award showing best San Leandro spirit
• Creativity Award
• Youthful Spirit Award –
• Musical Award for best musical performance
• School Award for best school spirit 
• Best Float Award  for creativity and public appeal
• Association / Organization Award 
• Business Award for best parade entry by a business

The 109th Cherry Festival hales back to the time when it all began in 1909. The first festival was held on June 5. At that time cherry production was so great that San Leandro was known as The Cherry City. A bumper crop of cherries ignited the Board of Trade and community to hold the first event with Miss Bessie Best chosen the City's first Cherry Queen. The festival drew 25,000 visitors from the Bay Area with more than 15 tons of cherries distributed free to all! Be sure to visit San Leandro History Museum for more great info.

Today the City of San Leandro seeks to honor the city's heritage and celebrate its future. Food production and manufacturing have been important to its growth.

All food vendors are required to have a cherry item or cherry-themed item on their menu. Vendors are not allowed to use Styrofoam.

 Entertainment

Parade 10 a.m. Downtown

Music Line up: 

The Cherry Festival is a long-standing community tradition celebrating the Alameda County city along the San Francisco bay east shore. Celebrating the city's past, present and future, the  Cherry Festival includes:

• cherry-themed food
• beer garden
• live entertainment
• Farmers Market with an abundance of cherries
• handmade artisan goods
  Kids Zone
• rides and games
• Arts & Innovation Space
• free hands-on activities
• community resources
• store selling everything cherry

Leading up to the festival in 2018 are various events such as the Cherry City Celebration at San Leandro Main Library History Room. A fascinating exhibit on the history of the famous Cherry Festival includes a Cherry City treasure hunt! All ages are welcome to join in. Prizes include a Cherry Farm coloring book, a Vintage Cherry Recipe Booklet or a coupon for a small bag of cherries! History researchers are on hand to help with the search for answers to questions in the week leading up to Cherry Festival event.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.