The Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival has awarded three local students for their strawberry-themed artwork.
Nearly 450 students in first through eighth grades from the Santa Maria, Guadalupe and Orcutt school districts put their own creative spin on the festival’s strawberry theme for this year’s Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival Art Contest.
A group of nine student judges was chosen to pick the winners in three grade categories – 1st-3rd, 4th-6th, and 7th-8th.
On Monday, the Santa Maria Fairpark announced the winners as Fabian Robles (1st-3rd grade), Malani Orca (4th-6th grade), and Aliyah Egbert (7th-8th grade).
The winners will receive a Festival Fun Pack that consists of four admission tickets and two unlimited carnival ride wristbands. The winners’ teachers will also receive $150 gift certificates for classroom supplies.
The Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival takes place April 26-28 at the Santa Maria Fairpark, located at 937 S. Thornburg St.