Gotta Do This…Florida Strawberry Festival

Known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, Plant City, Fla., is celebrating its sweet crop now through March 8 during the Florida Strawberry Festival.

Celebrating its 74th year, the event includes live entertainment with the likes of Randy Travis (March 3), Kool & The Gang (March 7) and Jessica Simpson (March 8), an amusement midway, a Neighborhood Village that highlights locally made items and much more.

And yes, you can’t forget about those strawberries. Everything from strawberry shortcakes to other edible delights can be found here as well.

If you are thinking about going, here’s what you need to know. Admission at the gate or if you purchase tickets online is $10/adults ages 13 and older; $5/children ages 6-12 and free for children ages 5 and under with a paying adult.

Advance discount tickets can be purchased at participating Sweetbay Supermarkets (PDF file) through March 8. Now if you choose to do this, you would pay $8/adult and $4/children ages 6-12.

For the headliner shows, cost can be anywhere from $10 – 45 in additional to admission to the festival. There are a limited number of free seats available, but are only on a first-come basis.

The festival is open from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., with the midway opening at noon, except on Saturday, Sunday and Monday when it’s scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Don’t miss Moonlight Magic on March 6 from 11 p.m. – 3 a.m.

Why Don’t You…

Make it a weekend and visit Dinosaur World as well. By visiting both the Strawberry Festival and Dinosaur, you’ll experience the best of Plant City.

photo credit: Fresh from Florida Strawberry Festival, flickr, creative commons by awadelewis