WesternU community participates in 117th annual Lebanon Strawberry Festival
The Lebanon, Oregon, community celebrated the start of summer with the 117th annual Lebanon Strawberry Festival. Held June 4-7, 2026, this multi-day event celebrates Lebanon’s rich agricultural history and strong sense of community. For WesternU students, faculty, and staff, the Strawberry Festival weekend is an opportunity to celebrate alongside neighbors, build community connections, and experience the excitement of the festival’s many events.
As a proud diamond sponsor of the Strawberry Festival, WesternU helped support the annual run/walk, which attracted more than 800 participants of all ages from across the community this year. For the second consecutive year, the University also sponsored race registrations and provided T-shirts for WesternU students, faculty, staff, and their families who wished to participate. More than 100 members of the WesternU community took part in the event.
“I first participated in the Strawberry Festival 5K at the end of my first year in school. I am not much of a runner but thought it would be fun to come participate in a local event with my school friends. I really enjoyed the run and the parade and have since come back with my wife and kids for the run, parades, and rest of the festival. This year, our family, my wife and our two kids, attended the Junior Parade on Friday, and then on Saturday proceeded to run the 5K, watch the parade, and then spend a few hours at the festival enjoying the vendor booths, food, games, and World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake,” said fourth-year DO student and Pre-Doctoral Teaching Fellow Taylor Murdock. “I truly love the city of Lebanon and the good people here. I have found it deeply enriching to be actively involved in community events in and around Lebanon during my time here rather than passively living in, but not being involved with, the community. We have made great friends, enjoyed the natural beauty of the region, and come to appreciate the unique skills and talents possessed by many of the members of the community. We feel like we are at home here rather than just being transitory students.
“Growing up in a small town myself, Lebanon feels like home to me. This familiarity has been a great comfort throughout the challenges of medical school. It is not uncommon to see classmates in the grocery store or around town at various events, which is fun and further reinforces the tight-knit community feel of Lebanon,” Murdock added. “The people here have been very welcoming to my family as well, and we truly have experienced so much joy living here. Spending time with community friends at church, going on many long walks through misty walking trails, and attending festivals throughout the year have all contributed to me finding joy throughout my education here in Lebanon.”
This year, over 20 WesternU students and faculty participated in the festival as volunteers, with several working every day of the event.
“Growing up in Lebanon, the Strawberry Festival has always been an important part of my life. As a child, my foster family participated in both the Kiddie Parade and the Grand Parade, creating memories that I still cherish today. As my own children grew up, they continued that tradition, making the festival a special part of our family’s story. Now, I am excited to share those same experiences with my grandchildren. The Strawberry Festival is more than just an annual event—it’s a celebration of community, family, and tradition,” said COMP-Northwest Assistant Professor of Population Health Science Jeannie Davis, EdD. “For the past several years, I have volunteered in Sponsor Hospitality throughout the three days of the festival. I enjoy welcoming and celebrating the organizations and sponsors whose support helps make this event possible each year. Volunteering allows me to give back, connect with members of our community, and help ensure that this treasured tradition continues for future generations to enjoy.”
An important Strawberry Festival tradition is the Strawberrians, a group of community members who serve as ambassadors for both the city and the Festival throughout the year. The Lebanon Strawberrians are a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the youth of Lebanon and strengthening the community.
“I have always been in awe of the Strawberrians. I first met them when they would volunteer to help at White Coat and Commencement ceremonies. In their crisp red jackets, they are hard to miss,” said WesternU Vice Provost of Student Standards and Resolution Mirabelle Fernandes Paul, EdD. “Gradually I became very familiar with the community work they do and what a great difference the scholarships they create make to the youth of this town. The Junior Court, Strawberry Queen, and Princesses are chosen for the hard working and fierce leaders they are and the potential they have shown to change our world for the better. I am always thrilled to escort them in parades and support them at events. This town has given so much to the WesternU students I love and have served since 2014, so I felt strongly that it was time to give back, and I accepted the invitation to be inducted as a Strawberrian.”
The Strawberry Festival is held annually in Lebanon during the first full weekend in June.
