Florida Strawberry Festival^®

The Florida Strawberry Festival is full of traditions. One of the most obvious traditions is the volunteer spirit that prevails. The Florida Strawberry Festival^® has served to preserve and enhance the agricultural and historical legacy of the strawberry. Whatever your interests, you will probably find it at the event. Exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, fine arts, horticulture, and crafts await you. The fabric of American life is woven into the festival through ethnic traditions, social events, competitive contests, youth developmental programs, top-name entertainment, parades with scores of glorious floats, and high-stepping marching bands moving to the musical beat.

What could be more american than discovering Plant City, Florida and eating ripe, luscious strawberries which local berry farmers have worked long and hard to bring to market? Over 5,000 acres of strawberries are planted annually. There are some 2,600 farms in Hillsborough County producing fruit and vegetable crops with an annual value of over 400 million dollars.

Enjoy the rhythm as the stage "comes to life" with your favorite country music entertainers who perform each day at 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise stated). There are about 4,000 free seats (for most shows) included as a part of your gate admission available on a first-come, first-served basis, or you may purchase reserved seats for $15 and $10, unless otherwise stated, depending upon location as long as they are available.

Or jusr stroll down midway and enjoy some of the best entertainment bargains in North America. For example, the Ride-A-Thon on the Midway allows patrons to ride most mechanical rides from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for one low price. Children ages 5 and under are admitted to the grounds free when accompanied by a paying adult. Once inside the gates, proceed to the midway and purchase your wristband there.

Of course King Strawberry is the highlight of the Florida Strawberry Festival^®. Many strawberry delights such as strawberry shortcake, strawberry milkshakes, strawberry sundaes, strawberry cobbler, strawberry ice cream, and just plain strawberries are available for purchase by the flat or quart so that patrons may extend the pleasure at home. Strawberry plants are also available for your own production at home.

The Florida Strawberry Festival^® dates back to 1930 when members of the newly organized Plant City Lions Club conceived the idea of an event to celebrate the bountiful harvest of the strawberries.

It's a full, fun day out for the family!