201905.28
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Hundreds line up for the ‘world’s biggest strawberry shortcake,’ a Garden Grove Strawberry Festival tradition

by in News

  • Honorary Director Mike Fenderson checks the schedule before the strawberry cake giveaway at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Friday, May 24, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A crowd of more than 3,000 people lined up for free cake during the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Friday, May 24, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

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  • Alice Lim was among dozens of Pacifica High School students who helped pass out about 3,000 pieces of cake during at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Friday, May 24, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • There were 2,640 strawberries on the 33 sheets of cake that were given away at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Friday, May 24, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Lincoln Springs Farms were one of several vendors offering strawberries at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Memorial Day weekend. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A crowd of more than 3,000 people lined up for free cake during at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Friday, May 24, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Andrea and Mariana Gonzales from French’s Bakery cut the nearly 3,000 pieces of cake that were given away during at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Friday, May 24, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Connor Harrison seems overwhelmed with his crown, trophy and sash after he was named the king of the Tiny Tots pageant at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Contestants in the girls’ four-year-old-division of the Tiny Tots contest line up before going on stage at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Roczelyn Mwassa was a contestant in the Tiny Tots King & Queen Contest at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A contestant in the boys’ four-year-old division showed off his long mane as he strutted on stage at the Tiny Tots contest at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A contestant in the Tiny Tots pageant runs on stage after her name was called during the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Contestants in the boys’ four-year-old division of the Tiny Tots contest wait off stage during the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Kaydence Fizer, 5, answers a question from Miss Garden Grove’s Outstanding Teen Kassidy Aslay during the Tiny Tots contest at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival. Kaydence would go on to be named the Queen of the pageant. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Sophia Cordero raises her hands while taking a carnival ride at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A girl in the four-year-old division of the Tiny Tots contest runs on stage when her name was called during the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A crowd of more than 3,000 people lined up for free cake during the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Friday, May 24, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Kaydence Fizer, 5, waits to go on stage during the Tiny Tots contest at the Garden Grove annual Strawberry Festival. Kaydence would go on to be named the Queen of the pageant. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Connor Harrison runs offstage his crown, trophy and sash after he was named the king of the Tiny Tots pageant during at the Garden Grove annual Strawberry Festival on Memorial Day weekend. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Tamela Gari danced with a strawberry mascot as she waited for a piece of free cake during the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Friday, May 24, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • There were carnival rides aplenty at the annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival on Friday, May 24, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

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For six decades, it’s been billed as the “world’s biggest strawberry shortcake.”

And while the colossal mixture of flour, sugar, whipped cream and, of course, strawberries may not appear in any record books, it is definitely an impressive feat.

An opening-day tradition, the mega dessert satisfied a throng of sweet-tooths  who waited for free slices on Friday, May 24, at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival.

Over its 61 years, the confection has grown from one large cake to a dozen huge sheet cakes, stacked in several tiers and separated by pillars.

The Strawberry Festival opened Friday afternoon with rides, games, food, live music and a “beauty contest” for tots – all followed by the famous cake cutting. The festival will continue through Monday, Memorial Day.

The festival, which benefits local organizations, takes place at Village Green Park, 12732 Main St. Unlimited rides are $35. For more information, go to strawberryfestival.org.