Florida Strawberry Festival

The Florida Strawberry Festival is a fun-filled carnival that takes place every year in the Tampa Bay area. What started in 1930 to celebrate a bountiful crop of strawberries has become a major event in Florida with headline entertainment, rides and vendors.

Entertainment. The entertainment at the Florida Strawberry Festival includes a multitude of things to do. There is a midway with adult and kiddie rides, award-winning entertainment (such as past guest Kenny Rogers) and the Neighborhood Village, which consists of award-winning homemade items and crafts on display in a climate-controlled building to stroll through. There are also exciting events such as the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show where contestants compete with saws, axes and chainsaws, much to the delight of the crowd.

Food. There are many food venders throughout the Florida Strawberry Festival where you can purchase a variety of foods. Choices can differ from year to year, but you'll most likely always find hamburgers, sausages and fast food-type fare.

Cost of Admission. Advance tickets to the Florida Strawberry Festival are always less expensive than purchasing from the gate. You can get advance adult tickets for $8 per person and $4 for children. If you want to wait until you arrive, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. There is an additional charge for the midway if you want to ride the carnival rides; those armbands vary in price but are typically around $19 to $20 depending on when you plan to go. For instance, it is cheaper to buy armbands for the midway in the daytime than at night.

How to get there. The Florida Strawberry Festival is located at 303 North Lemon Street in Plant City, Florida. You'll take I-4 to Exit 19. If you are coming from the Orlando area, take a left on Thonotosassa Road. If you're from the Tampa area, take a right on that same road. At the traffic light you'll see Lemon Street and follow it to Oak Avenue. The ticket office is two blocks down on your left.

Now that you know all about the Florida Strawberry Festival you can plan to visit and enjoy a weekend of food, entertainment and exciting things to see. Not only is it a historic event, it's one that every member of your family can enjoy.