Sure, there’s the tractor parade and the car show, but Berry Dairy Days is mostly about the food — it has been for 72 years.

In the earliest days of the annual ode to fruit, then called the “Strawberry Festival,” firefighters set up sawhorses on Fairhaven Avenue and a giant shortcake, baked by Skagit Bakery and topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

Duane Stowe, 79, owner of Stowe’s Shoes and Clothing, has attended the festival since 1941, and remembers being amazed by the colossal dessert.

“It looked huge when I was a kid,” Stowe said, guessing it was about 4-by-8 feet. “You couldn’t reach around it.”

The not-so-short cake has since been replaced with more personal-sized fare, but the festival continues to celebrate the region’s long history of berry and dairy farming.

“Every kid in town picked strawberries. I did. My kids did,” Stowe said. “You could smell strawberries in town those days.”

While the strawberry industry is not as strong today, families still come to Burlington to enjoy the berries with whipped cream every June.

The 72nd annual Berry Dairy Days, sponsored by United General Hospital, kicks off Thursday, when the shortcake booth at the Canton Restaurant parking lot on Fairhaven Avenue opens at 11 a.m., and continues until the booth closes Sunday.

The weekend event has grown well beyond a parade and massive dessert.

The days are filled with the Berry Dairy Days 10K and 2-Mile Fun Run, a tractor show and barbecue. The evenings continue with dinners, live music and a fireworks show on Friday.

Saturday’s events start early, with registration for the foot races at 7:30 a.m. at the corner of Oak Street and Fairhaven Avenue. The races begin at 9 a.m.

The Outlet Shoppes at Burlington Grand Parade follows at 11 a.m. along Fairhaven Avenue.

Maiben Park will host a myriad activities Saturday with a Festival in the Park. The festival will include live music, pony rides, vendors and — just in case you haven’t had your fill by then — another strawberry shortcake booth.

Sunday’s fun kicks off with the Berry Cool Car Show at 10 a.m. and continues until the last serving of strawberry shortcake is dished.

And, of course, the shortcake will be plentiful with booths in various locations throughout the festival. Shortcake will be available starting at 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. Sunday.

FRIDAY, June 19

5:30-9 p.m.: Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue, mobile vendors, strawberry shortcake booths at Skagit River Park.

7:30 p.m.: Haggen of Burlington Tractor Parade presented by Kiwanis of Burlington along Fairhaven Avenue, downtown .

8 p.m.: Buckaroo Blues performs at Skagit River Park.

8-8:30 p.m.: Tractors on display at Skagit River Park.

Dusk: City Of Burlington Fireworks Show at Skagit River Park.

SATURDAY, June 20

7:30 a.m.: Registration for Berry Dairy Days 10K and 2-Mile Fun Run, corner of Oak Street and Fairhaven Avenue. Races begin at 9 a.m.

11 a.m.: Outlet Shoppes at Burlington Grand Parade along Fairhaven Avenue.

11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.: Burlington-Edison Kiwanis 60th annual Fred Stump Memorial Salmon Barbecue at Burlington Community Center in Maiben Park, 1011 Greenleaf Ave. Tickets: $10 adults, $6 ages 12 and younger.

1 p.m.: Haggen of Burlington Tractor Show at Haggen Food & Pharmacy.

1 p.m.: Parade announcements, Maiben Park.

1-5 p.m.: Festival in the Park at Maiben Park — live music, Skagit Ford Subaru pony rides, Skagit Farmers Supply Kids Fun Zone, vendors (crafts, retail and food) and a strawberry shortcake booth.

SUNDAY, June 21

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Berry Cool Car Show along Fairhaven Avenue.

Aaron Burkhalter can be reached at 360-416-2141 or .