Strawberry Festival 2023 in Plant City Florida – Information

Published on 03/01/23:  It’s here! The annual Strawberry Festival kicks of tomorrow and runs through March 12^th! Headline entertainers include Ludacris, Willie Nelson, Josh Turner, Oak Ridge Boys, Sara Evans, Isley Brothers and many more. The annual festival is 45-50 minutes from St Pete, thus falls under my #LovingStPeteDayTrips series. This is a popular event, so be prepared for crowds.

Strawberry Festival is Crowded…For a Reason

Despite the masses, Colt and I had a great time playing the games, eating, and #winning. We couldn’t attend last year, though the prior year we scored parking right near the gate, despite the lots looking full (we just kept driving forward, consider doing the same if possible).

Games at Strawberry Festival

As you’ll see in my pictures, Colt was determined to win him a sloth on our visit. I miss age 5 and I’m sure I’ll miss 7 as well. It goes too fast! As I’ve always said, if nothing else, LovingStPete serves as a journal of our outings that our family can reference down the road. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I wouldn’t remember as much, nor taking as many videos and pictures otherwise.

Address: 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City

Dates: March 2^nd – March 12^th

Hours: 10am-10pm

Cost: Advance purchase on their website and certain Publix locations – $8 for ages 13+ and $4 for ages 6-12 ($10/$5 at the gate). Keep in mind the entry fee does not include the cost for parking ($5 for cars), games, rides, nor food. It does indeed add up.

Website: https://flstrawberryfestival.com/

Food/Drink: Plenty of food and drink sold onsite

ADA: Yes. Accessible parking and seating (limited # of wheelchairs and motorized scooters are avail for rent)

Things to do at the Strawberry Festival

Rides: The festival includes over 80 rides, games, and attractions for all ages in their Midway section. The largest mobile Ferris Wheel in the USA will be onsite ($7/ride), checking in at 155 feet tall and 400K pounds. They also provide the Kiddie Korral section with “pint-sized accommodations” for younger children. This area has wider aisles for stroller access and more seating.

Food Contests: Eight of them over the course of the event, including strawberry stemming and a corndog eating contest.

Neighborhood Village: This area is located on the east side of the festival grounds and includes homemade and handcrafted items created by those in the community.  This includes “award-winning creations” on display in the climate-controlled building. Take a stroll to cool off. Think of this as the Youth Fair you group up with, awarding prizes and ribbons for the respective categories. Adults enter as well.

Headline Entertainment: You must purchase tickets online for these, they’re in addition to the gate ticket cost. I mentioned some of the musicians in opening paragraph. 2023 Headline Entertainment – Florida Strawberry Festival (flstrawberryfestival.com)

General Entertainment Lineup (free w/ gate admission): The festival also has a list of talented entertainers and musicians performing throughout the festival. Check website above.

Young Children Activities: Lots of options, including the Kids Coloring Corner where young ones to take a breather by coloring. You’ll also see Rock-It the Robot, “Every kid’s favorite Festival friend” 9 feet tall, sings, dances, and interacts with guests daily at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. There’s racing pigs and all kinds of other things too. 😊

Purchasing Strawberries: Two vendors selling. Parkesdale Farms’ booth located in the middle of the Parke Exhibit Building, and Wish Farms’ booths in the NE corner of the Parke Exhibit Building, and just outside Gate 1.

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