It's the prime season for strawberries. The sweet, crimson fruit is at its peak now.
Fans of the berry will want to round up the family to plan a day of picking in the Region. There are a variety of U-Pick farms locally as well as throughout the Midwest within a short driving distance.
Check the following list for places to enjoy the picking experience. The list is just a sample of places which have U-Pick opportunities.
• Garwood Orchard and Farm Market, 5911 W. 50 South, LaPorte
The U-Pick is scheduled to run through July 4. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. for U-Pick. Call for exact closing date as information is subject to change. Pre-picked strawberries also are available.
FYI: 219-362-4385
• Johnson's Strawberry Farm, 8960 E. Ridge Road, Hobart. U-pick strawberries are now available. There is a $5 admission fee per person and $10 fee per person to pick on festival weekends in addition to purchasing the strawberries. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pre-picked strawberries also are available.
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Johnson's Strawberry Festival takes place June 18 and 19. Other festivals take place on weekends throughout the year. Call for more details.
FYI: Call the farm at 219-962-1383.
Illinois:
• Heider's Berry Farm, 1106 N. Queen Anne Road, Woodstock
The farm is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Strawberry picking is available now. Call the farm or visit heidersberryfarm.com for more information.
FYI: 815-338-0301
Michigan:
• Bixby Orchards, 5745 Pokagon Road, Berrien Springs, Michigan.
U-Pick will be available through the end of June. Call the farm or visit its Facebook page for updated information.
FYI: 269-473-6681
• Stover's U-Pick and Farm Market, 7837 M-139, Berrien Springs, Michigan
Call for the current U-Pick schedule and information. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Monday to Saturday. Pre-picked berries also are available.
FYI: 269-471-1401
Wisconsin:
• Thompson's Strawberry Farm, 14000-75th St., Bristol, Wisconsin., 6621 156th Ave., Bristol.
Hours for U-Pick strawberries are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Pre-picked strawberries also are available. The U-Pick farm opens June 15. Call for updates on picking schedule and conditions. Prices are $16 for a 4-quart basket.
FYI: 262-857-2353 or thompsonstrawberryfarm.com
Event:
Strawberry Festival, downtown Long Grove, Illinois. The popular annual fest will be held June 24 to 26. Food, drinks, live music and family entertainment will be featured. Visit longgrove.org/festivals/strawberry-fest/.
If you have strawberries left over from your picking adventure, try the following recipe.
Berry Lemon Mousse Parfait
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar, divided
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon Pure Lemon Extract
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1 cup blueberries
1 cup sliced strawberries
DIRECTIONS: Beat heavy cream, 5 tablespoons of the sugar, lemon juice and extracts in large chilled bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form.
Toss berries and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl. Layer mousse and berries in dessert dishes. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Eloise Marie Valadez
Entertainment Editor/Features Reporter
Eloise is A&E Editor and a food, entertainment and features writer for The Times, subjects she has covered for over two decades in and around the Region. She was the youngest of eight in a Chicago household filled with fantastic cooks and artists.
