Last Updated on February 9, 2025
Taking place from February 27-March 9, 2025, The Florida Strawberry Festival is a big event in Plant City (35 minute drive from Tampa).
It celebrates the state’s strawberry harvest. People come to enjoy strawberry treats, live shows, and carnival games.
This festival is fun for everyone. Whether you love excitement or food, it’s a great way to spend your time.
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Introduction to Florida’s Strawberry Festival
The Florida Strawberry Festival has a rich history of Florida Strawberry Festival starting in 1930.
It began as a small event to honor the strawberry harvest. Now, it’s a major festival in the state, attracting over 100,000 visitors each year.
Visitors come to Plant City to enjoy many activities. These include artisan booths, live music, and tasty food. It’s a place where people walk around, check out the exbibits, and have fun, celebrating Florida’s agricultural heritage.
Here are 9 reasons to visit the Florida Strawberry Festival this year!
1. Visit the Agricultural Exhibits
The agricultural exhibits at Florida’s Strawberry Festival give a close look at local farming.
They show the value of farming education and highlight strawberries as a key crop. You might see live shows on planting, harvesting, and farming tech.
The exhibits also talk about how farming helps the local economy.
These exhibits are not just displays but also teach us about Florida’s farming success.
2. Watch Live Music Performances
The Florida Strawberry Festival is known for its lively atmosphere. Live music plays a big part in this.
The festival has a wide range of artists and bands, playing different music styles.
Visitors can enjoy music all day and into the night. It’s a great setting to see the festival’s wonders.
Genres and Music Styles Featured
The festival offers a variety of music, from hip hop to rock, country to jazz.
Lineup of Artists and Bands
This year’s festival has a great lineup of performers at the soundstage. You’ll see both famous national acts and local talents.
Headliners for 2025 include Reba McEntire, Lauren Daigle, Bailey Zimmerman, Boys II Men, Sara Evans, Chris Tomlin, Lynyrd Skynard, and more!
3. Explore the Carnival Rides and Games
The carnival rides and games at Florida’s Strawberry Festival are full of excitement for everyone. Families and thrill-seekers will find lots of fun activities.
Must-Try Rides
Looking for thrilling experiences? The carnival area has over 80 attractions that you’ll be sure to enjoy. Make sure to try:
The Berry Big Wheel Ferris Wheel Ride
Family-Friendly Games and Attractions
The midway has a great selection of games perfect for families and young kids. Enjoy fun activities like:
Berry Go Round- Kids Merry Go Round Ride
Dragon Coaster Ride
Farm Tractors
Magic Maze
Kid Car Ride
Ring Toss – Test your aim and win fun prizes.
Lots More!
4. Shop at the Arts and Crafts Vendors
The Florida’s Strawberry Festival is full of joy, especially the arts and crafts area.
Here, you can find a colorful marketplace with unique, handmade items. Local artisans show off their favorite specialties and creations.
Types of Crafts and Goods Available
Jewelry: Handcrafted earrings, necklaces, and bracelets
Pottery: Beautifully designed bowls and mugs
Woodwork: Custom furniture and decorative items
Textiles: Handwoven blankets and artistic wall hangings
5. Check Out The Free Entertainment
The Florida Strawberry Festival offers a variety of free entertainment options throughout the event, making it a great experience beyond the main concerts. Some of the best free entertainment venues include:
Entenmann’s Strawberry Tent
This tent is a fan-favorite spot featuring live music, interactive performances, and fun-filled events centered around the festival’s star attraction—strawberries! Visitors can enjoy performances by local musicians, cooking demonstrations, and even strawberry-themed contests.
Publix Showcase Tent
The Publix Showcase Tent is home to a wide array of entertainment, including musical acts, dance performances, and other showcases. This tent is a great place to relax and take in the festival’s lively atmosphere.
Stingray Entertainment Pavilion
This pavilion offers a packed schedule of live performances, including country, rock, and pop acts, as well as comedy and variety shows. Guests can enjoy high-energy entertainment from up-and-coming artists and seasoned performers, all without any additional cost.
These entertainment venues provide festival-goers with a chance to enjoy great performances in a lively atmosphere, adding even more excitement to the Florida Strawberry Festival experience!
6. Try Unique Strawberry-Themed Foods
Florida’s Strawberry Festival is more than just fresh strawberries. It’s a chance to try unique strawberry-themed foods.
Local Food Vendors and Their Specialties
At the festival, local vendors offer strawberry-infused treats. You can enjoy:
Strawberry Milkshakes
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Strawberry jam
Strawberry Cheesecake
Strawberry Cobler
Strawberry Brisket Tacos
Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberry Kettle Korn
Strawberry Cream Puffs
You can also try Deep Fried Strawberry Shortcake, Amish Donuts, Strawberry Pizza Pie and they have food eating contests with these foods!
Popular Foods Beyond Just Strawberries
But strawberries aren’t the only star. The festival also has many other tasty dishes. You can find:
Fried foods, like funnel cakes and corn dogs
Barbecue with smoky flavors and tender meats
Vegetarian options for those who eat plants
7. Attend the Livestock Shows
The livestock shows at the Florida Strawberry Festival are a big hit. They show off the hard work and talent of local farmers. You can see cows, pigs, goats, and chickens up close.
This event is fun and teaches people about farming. It’s a chance to learn about animal care and how food is grown.
Local 4-H and FFA members are the stars of the show. They show their animals to judges, after hours of care. They get awards for their hard work.
8.Visit The History Center
The Florida Strawberry Festival History Center offers visitors a glimpse into the history and traditions of the festival, showcasing artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia that highlight its agricultural roots and community impact.
The Gift Shop is the perfect place to pick up festival souvenirs, including strawberry-themed merchandise, apparel, and locally made strawberry treats, making it a must-visit stop for attendees looking to take a piece of the festival home.
9. Watch the Parades & Special Events
The Florida Strawberry Festival is famous for its colorful parades. These parades feature floats covered in strawberries and marching bands.
The festival also offers a variety of talents in its daily entertainment. Here are some highlights:
Magic Acts: Illusionists amaze with their tricks and visual magic.
Dance Performances: Local dance groups perform energetic routines, mixing traditional and modern styles.
Comedy Routines: Comedians make everyone laugh, adding to the festival’s entertainment.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Florida Strawberry Festival is a fun Florida tradition in Plant City.
Here, visitors can enjoy foods, sweets, local music, and art,and of course, strawberries!
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You can learn more about the Florida Strawberry Festival here!
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