Florida Strawberry Festival
| Florida Strawberry Festival | |
|---|---|
|
Festival fairgrounds | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Festival |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Plant City, Florida |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 1929 |
| Website | |
|
www | |
The Florida Strawberry Festival is an annual event that takes place in Plant City, Florida. It was started in 1929 by the local Lions Club, after several attempts by locals in the previous 20 years to promote the local strawberry crop. The festival lasts 11 days, and generates an attendance of about half a million patrons from all over Central Florida and other global nations.
- The festival is a venue for flea market-style craft and item sales, various free entertainment acts/events, a very large midway, plus twice-daily "big name" musical concert performances. Tickets are required for these concerts, but there is free stadium seating provided at most on a first come basis.
- The festival is also known for its famous St. Clement Catholic Church's "Make Your Own" Strawberry Shortcake.
- Every year a parade is held in the festivals honor and features Plant City's Person Of the Year award.
- The festival has livestock activities in conjunction with the local 4-H club.
- The festival also has a beauty pageant, with the coronation of a Strawberry Queen. The beauty pageant is well described in "The Strawberry Girls" by Anne Hull, which appeared in the New Yorker magazine, August 11 & 18, 2008.
Florida Strawberry Festival Lineups
2016 Lineup
Jimmy Sturr, Charlie Pride , Josh Turner, Mickey Gilley, Big and Rich , David Bowe, Kodak Black, Lecrae, Cheap Trick, Shenandoah, Donny and Marrie, Gene Watson, Lonestar, Trace Adkins, Ray Stevens, Martina Mcbride, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Oak Ridge Boys, Casting Crowns, Tanya Tucker, Cole Swindell, Merle Haggard, Charlie Wilson, Echosmith, The Band Perry.[1]
2015 Lineup
Jimmy Stuff, Bobby Vinton, Alabama, Mel Tillis, Scotty Mccreery, Mercyme, Kevin Costner, Hunter Hayes, Sawyer Brown, Happy Together Tour, Ronnie Milsap, Sara Evans, Ricky Skaggs, Craig Morgan, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Oak Ridge Boys, Newsboys, Loretta Lynn, Boyz 2 Men, Day + Shay, John Legend, Permalee, REBA.[2]
2012 Lineup
Demi Lovato (as part of her A Special Night with Demi Lovato tour).[3]
See also
References
- ↑ "Florida Strawberry Festival 2016". Festifind. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ Video Headlines (2014-11-17). "Florida Strawberry Festival entertainment lineup includes Reba, Kevin Costner". Tbo.com. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ Celebuzz (2012-03-03). "Demi Lovato Goes Rocker Chic at Strawberry Festival (PHOTOS)". Celebuzz. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
External links
- Florida Strawberry Festival (official website)
- Strawberry Festival Parade (official website)
- Food Fest! Your Complete Guide to Florida's Food Festivals
- St Clement newsletter from March 2007: has photo of shortcake makers
- https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Clement-Make-Your-Own-Strawberry-Shortcake/256543645325/ St. Clement "Make Your Own" Shortcake Facebook page