Fairs and Florida Strawberry Festival® represent history in a continuing process–they reach far back into the past when they were the source of uniting communities through celebrations of their harvests. They will continue into the future through preservation of this heritage.

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, we have it all. Exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, fine arts, horticulture, and crafts await you. The fabric of American life is woven into this Florida Strawberry 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.

The Florida Strawberry Festival® is also a community fair. Discover the greatness of this land we live in by attending an American tradition–the community fair.

A special thanks to the thousands of volunteers from the community who have put forth the effort all year to make this 2008 Florida Strawberry Festival® the best ever, and a pleasant, fun-filled and rewarding experience for our local folks as well as for the thousands of visitors from many parts of the world.

Our Florida Strawberry Festival® heritage 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. The Lions Club andother civic organizations have participated in the Florida Strawberry Festival® throughout its history.

The American Legion Post #26 is also recognized for its effort in getting the Florida Strawberry Festival® reactivated in 1948 following a six year hiatus during and immediately following World War II.

Today, the annual event has become one of the best Florida Strawberry Festival®s in the land, with its organization remaining the same as in 1930. "The Florida Strawberry Festival® Association," a community oriented organization, is governed by a board of directors from the community who annually devote many hours to establishing policies and direction for the annual event.

As a result, the Florida Strawberry Festival® has never been a drain on taxpayers, but represents the community in a superb manner. This successful event now ranks among the top 30 such events in North America.

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. This county is now one of the largest agricultural counties in the nation. The diversified farm production includes strawberries, citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, squash, okra, peppers, beans, dairy products, eggs, ornamental horticulture, tropical fish, beef cattle, swine and other related products.

One of the main events of the Florida Strawberry Festival® is the annual scholarship pageant for the selection and coronation of the Florida Strawberry Festival® Queen.

Come see the thrill that goes with competitions and contests for youth and adults combined with exhibits of agriculture, commerce, horticulture, fine arts, livestock, homemade goods, crafts, and parades designed to satisfy the interest of all.

The Florida Strawberry Festival®’s own Post Office is of extra special interest to everyone. The old mail boxes, a desk, and other furniture were actually used in early Post Offices in this area. The Post Office is operated each day of the Florida Strawberry Festival® by the U.S. Postal Service. The hand stamp on letters and cards mailed from the Post Office show "Florida Strawberry Festival® Station, Plant City, Florida 33563." An authentic log cabin that dates back to the mid-1800’s is located next to the Post Office. The cabin was moved log by log from its original site on Knights Griffin Road, seven miles northeast of Plant City, to the Florida Strawberry Festival® grounds. Turn-of-the-century antiques are displayed in the cabin. Take a magical step into the past and discover Florida’s pioneer days and a part of our American heritage.

Come enjoy the rhythm as our empty stage comes to life with your favorite country music entertainers who perform each day at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise stated. There are about 4,000 free seats for all shows included as a part of your gate admission available on a first-come, first-served basis, or you may purchase reserved seats for $10 and up, depending upon artist and location as long as they are available. Free seating or reserved seating–both are a great bargain and as magical as a ride on a flying carpet.

Throughout the Florida Strawberry Festival®, we believe we offer one of the best entertainment bargains in North America. For example, our 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. The magic of our bargains guarantees that you won’t be disappointed.

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.

To the fun and excitement of the community fair, add the gala events of the Florida Strawberry Festival®. Throw in the bright lights, stimulating music, laughing voices from the ride-filled Mighty Bluegrass Shows’ Midway, the entertainment, and all the food one cares to eat, and you have the best in the world of entertainment. Spend the day or even a few days with us and enjoy a special part of our Florida Strawberry Festival® heritage.