When you think of Florida, you think of sunshine, sea water, and citrus. But do you also think of strawberries?
For eleven days and nights between ten in the morning and ten in the evening, the town of Plant City, Florida, is “the” place for all-things-strawberry - the Florida Strawberry Festival. Read more and then dive into the fun. Check out this FrancesLovesFlorida video that puts you right in the heart of Plant City.
A Sweet History
With its famously sunny weather, Florida has long been a hotspot for a wide variety of agriculture and livestock raising. This is the tradition that the Florida Strawberry Festival seeks to continue in the hearts and minds of its patrons.
The fair’s humble origins began in 1930, when the townsfolk decided to gather to celebrate a plentiful strawberry harvest. The festival was on hiatus during World War II, but after it was revived by local civic organizations, it did not take long for the festival to become popular and expand its offerings and contests. Now you won’t believe what it’s become!
2024 Florida Strawberry Festival
When I say this festival has everything you could ever want in a state fair, I mean it! Since there’s so much to cover, this next section is going to be jam-packed, so buckle up!
HUGE NAMES in concert like the Beach Boys, Black Eyed Peas, ZZ Top, Foreigner, and Flo Rida!
Free entertainment—singing, dancing, magic, woodcarving, parades, racing pigs, and so much more—all across the fairgrounds.
The Midway, which has something fun for all age groups, like a Ferris wheel, tons of thrill rides, and games of chance and skill. See the height requirements here and here.
If you have younger kids in tow, you might want to check out the Kiddie Korral instead, which has attractions such as a coloring corner, swings, bumper boats, fun houses, and mini roller coasters.
Tons of contests for everything from the more expected livestock and dairy to more zany events like the Strawberry Spaghetti Eating Contest and the Strawberry ICEE Throwdown. You’ll even see some long-established, old-fashioned scholarship and beauty pageants on the docket!
Food! The classic strawberry shortcake can be found throughout the grounds, but three spots you’ll want to check out are: East Hillsborough Historical Society Strawberry Shortcake; St. Clement Catholic Church make-your-own shortcake and the Transforming Life Church shortcake. Also checkout the concession offered by Parksdale! And you can’t miss all of the strawberry offerings at Alessi!
For a complete overview of the offerings available at this year’s Florida Strawberry Festival, you’ll want to check out the official brochure because there are more events than I could possibly mention in a single blog post without writing until the Plant City cows come home. And don’t forget to download the map! Keep a copy of it on your phone or printed out and in your pocket, so you’ll never lose your way while walking around.
This year, the festival takes place from February 19th through March 10th. To join in on the fun, tickets for everyone 13 and up are $15, for ages 6 through 12 are $5, and anyone younger can get in for free with an adult. Parking is offered in three lots: Ritter Street off Highway 92 and Highway 574. Fee for cars, trucks and vans is $5 and vehicles over 20 ft is $10. Over 40 feet is $15. You can also get discounted tickets at participating Central Florida Publixes.
Exploring Plant City
Whether you’re a local or only in town for a weekend, the Florida Strawberry Festival will keep you very, very busy all day long. But it would still be a shame to limit yourself to just what the festival has in store! You have plenty of good hours to spend in Plant City before ten in the morning and after ten at night.
For the morning larks, Fred’s Southern Kitchen is the family-owned brunch buffet of your dreams. They’ve spent more than 20 years in business, and with the ability to get fried catfish and fried chicken plus unlimited refills on coffee in the morning, it’s no secret as to why. But if you’re looking for more of a quick bite before heading to the festival, look no further than the Strawberry Hut Sandwich Shop, which serves fun twists on Cuban sandwiches and shakes (including, yes, a strawberry shortcake shake!) and opens bright and early at 6:30. Not far from Plant City (and with their own display and concession at the Festival) is Parksdale.
For the night owls, leave the festival a half hour early or so to make sure you have plenty of time to grab a slice (or a salad, or pasta, or a calzone, or even French fries!) at ABC Pizza House, which closes at 11. Otherwise, check out O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Grill, which is open until midnight. It’s a great spot for laughing over draft beers and traditional pub food like potato skins and shepherd’s pie with friends before the clock strikes midnight.
Celebrate Out-of-State!
Can’t come to Florida for the festival? That’s okay! As I’ve written about in past blog posts, there are plenty of ways to get a taste of Florida wherever you are, like these freeze-dried strawberries straight from Florida!
If you have a green thumb and you live in a climate that would support them, you might also consider purchasing wild strawberry seeds from Florida to grow yourself. What could be better to include in pancakes and desserts than strawberries you grew yourself?
Do you love strawberries as much as I do, or does another Florida fruit tickle your tastebuds more? What fruits and veggies grow in your neck of the woods? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget to check out the video !
Love and Sunshine,
Frances
