This Massive Strawberry Festival Is Worth the Drive From Illinois

If your family loves summer road trips, fresh strawberries, and finding fun things to do that don’t involve standing in line at a theme park for two hours, it might be time to plan a visit to Johnson's Farm Produce in Hobart, Indiana.

Summer Road Trips

If you're sitting there thinking, "I live in Illinois. Why should I go to a farm in Indiana to get strawberries?" please allow me to give you a few reasons why.

1. Kids are out of school now, the "I'm bored" whining is about to kick into high gear, and road trip adventures are good for keeping kids entertained.

2. Johnson's Farm Produce has a LOT more to offer than just strawberries.

3. Johnson's Farm Produce is located just over two hours from the Rockford area, so it's a totally doable day trip.

4. The farm has baby highland cows and baby goats!

Reasons to Love Johnson's Farm Produce

I understand that not all children love seeing farm animals as much as my daughters do, but I'm willing to bet that Johnson's Farm Produce has many other activities your kids will love like:

• Bouncing on jump pads and inflatables.
• Playing in a foam party.
• Shooting produce from a cannon.
• Riding pedal cars.
• Playing games.
• Going on a train ride...and SO much more.

Johnson's Farm Produce offers several fun events throughout the summer, but their annual Strawberry Festival is the one I've heard several people from all over northern Illinois rave about.

Johnson's Strawberry Festival takes place for three weekends in June, and the 2026 dates are: June 6-7, June 13-14, and June 20-21.

Festival admission is $15 for general admission or $25 for the all-access pass, and children under 2 get in free. The festival runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and definitely has enough things to do, see, and eat to keep your family entertained for an entire day.

If jumping on inflatables and petting animals isn't your thing, but stocking baskets full of fresh strawberries is, Johnson's Farm Produce offers U-Pick strawberries on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. while berry supplies last. Learn more at johnsonsfarmproduce.com.