The Spring Festival is a grand tradition celebration that includes a parade, a large deep pit barbecue and a queen coronation that has been a part of Chowchilla since 1946. This popular annual event always occurs in conjunction with the Chowchilla-Madera County Fair which is always the third weekend in May.

The Spring Festival Parade takes place at 10:00 a.m. on the Saturday morning of the Fair. The 2009 Spring Festival Parade will be presented on Saturday, May 16. It travels down Robertson Boulevard from 15th Street down to First Street. You'll see many participants from schools, clubs, churches, and businesses make their way down the boulevard with grand sights and sounds for the large crowds that line the main thoroughfare in Chowchilla. Download the 2009 Parade Application.

The parade is always on the annual Armed Forces Day and boasts a very large military display for the parade-goers. Military vehicles of all sizes can be found rumbling their way down the parade route. As a matter of fact, the Spring Festival Parade is the largest military parade throughout the state.

Local marching bands perform their most exciting music selections while floats create a scenic extravaganza as they pass by. The Police Department and City Council come out to participate in this event along with several other businesses who volunteer their time, their classic cars, and their talent. You'll also see local queens and their courts riding down Robertson Blvd. in beautiful cars.

Parade trophies are awarded that afternoon at the fairgrounds for the winning bands, floats, cars, and other original creations. For parade applications or further information, call the Spring Festival Committee at 559-665-4501.

The most popular event of the festival is the traditional  barbecue that takes place after the parade on the Saturday of the Fair. The festival committee starts preparing the meat in advance to slow cook in large deep pits for many hours which makes it extraordinarily delicious.

The Spring Festival Committee and many volunteers strive to make the annual event
a family affair with great food and a large, shady picnic area for great conversation.

This is no small barbecue. Over 6,000 hungry people are served in 2 to 3 hours! The recipe for a successful
Spring Festival barbecue includes:

Local Chowchilla young ladies compete for the title of Spring Festival Queen. The crowned queen is the individual who sells the most tickets for the barbecue. The coronation occurs on the Saturday evening of the Fair where all candidates are introduced. The reigning queen is on hand to pass on the title to the newest winner who will represent the community in events and promote the festival in the coming year.

The contest is open to young women who reside in Chowchilla. For more information on how to become a candidate for this year's festival, call Annette Zimmer at 559-665-1301 or Rita Cornaggia at 559-665-2083. Applications may be picked up at Chowchilla Insurance Agency or Chowchilla Union High School.  

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