Scam Strikes Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Would-Be Vendors

GARDEN GROVE, CA —Strawberry Festival organizers Tuesday warned the public of a scheme to sell vendor booths for the annual Garden Grove event. The event, canceled in 2020, was also canceled this year due to the lingering concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patrick Catlin, president of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Association, spoke out on the scamming event, saying there is an imposter at work.

Catlin says that this is " an illegal, fraudulent scheme to sell false vendor booths to our canceled in-person 2021 Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, which will not be rescheduled this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic."

The Strawberry Festival Association has reported the criminal activity to the Garden Grove Police Department.

One person, described by Catlin as a "deceitful individual" not related in any way to the annual festival, is under investigation.

The scammer has been selling vendor booths for a "rescheduled festival" in June.

"This is a scam and 100% false," Catlin said of a rescheduled festival.

Anyone contacted about buying a vendor booth at the festival this year was encouraged to call the police at 714-741-5704.