Almanac note · History and culture
The Strauss Festival gives Elk Grove a waltz-on-the-water tradition
Elk Grove's Strauss Festival grew from one resident's Vienna-inspired idea into a long-running local performance tradition in Elk Grove Park.
Elk Grove has old stage-road roots, farm edges, parks, newer subdivisions, and busy Sacramento-area growth. The Strauss Festival gives the city something more surprising: a local waltz tradition on an island in the park.
The idea came from Iris Zimbelman after a trip to Vienna, where she was taken with outdoor waltz performances. Elk Grove’s first festival began in 1987, and the event grew into a community performance with dancers, music, costumes, and a setting that feels a little different from a normal park concert.
That difference is the charm. A city does not need to be old in a postcard way to have its own traditions. Sometimes a tradition starts because one person brings home an idea, neighbors help, families rehearse, and a public place becomes known for one special summer ritual.
For Elk Grove, the festival adds softness to a fast-growing city. It reminds people that parks are not only for sports fields and playgrounds. They can also hold memory, music, and a yearly reason for residents to gather around the same water and lights.
Where to see it
Strauss Island in Elk Grove Park during the annual Strauss Festival.
Official sources
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Reviewed July 7, 2026
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