The Florida Strawberry Festival opens today. With agriculture celebrations, concerts, shows and exhibits, the celebration of the abundant berry and our 77th anniversary we want you to “Growing Sweet Memories!”
Gates open at 10 a.m. for the 77th annual event, which draws folks from near and far to the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World” to enjoy tasty treats along with lots of music, merriment and memories.
And Day One is Senior Citizens’ Day, sponsored by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida, so for visitors 60 years of age and better, that means saving $2 off the gate admission of $10 all day. At 10:30 a.m., “the Polka King” Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra will be performing in a free concert on the Wish Farm Soundstage.
Who wants to Karaoke? The Florida Strawberry Festival is hosting the Open Qualifying for Talent Quest Florida on Thursday, March 1, 2012 from 7:00 PM -10:00 PM. Be sure to go out and support Plant City’s berry talent singers in the Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent.
Come and be greeted by friendly sea lions who possess personality plus. One look in their eyes and it’s love at first sight. The only traveling, self-contained sea lion show in the United States. See close up how sea lions react in a natural setting. Learn how they act in the wild and how we can preserve them.
Sponsored by: Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover, the Sea Lions can be seen at 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm & 8:00 pm.
From fast fiddle numbers to singing ballads and Irish dancing, The Gothard Sisters are three sisters who are champion Irish dancers and musicians. The trio uses their talents to perform entertaining shows featuring country, Irish, flamenco and rock music. Simply a good time for everyone!
Sponsored by Florida Technical College, the Gothard Sisters are located in the Borden Dairy Strawberry Tent and will be performing at 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm & 8:30 pm.
The Belle City Amusements Midway opens at noon today, so be sure to check out all the new rides added, some of which are new to Florida! Again this year for the pre-schoolers, grade schoolers and the stroller set, the entire Kiddie Corral area has been expanded. It’s completely separate from the big boys and has more delightful, age appropriate rides than ever. Today is a Ride-A-Thon day so be sure to get your fill of the flips and flops out on the Belle City Amusements Midway!
There are still good seats available for both the 3:30 and 7:30 pm concerts on the Wish Farm Soundstage too. At 3:30 pm it’s The Oak Ridge Boys, and reserved seat tickets $15 and $20; and at 7:30 p.m. it’s Gretchen Wilson in concert, and those reserved seat tickets are $15 and $20. Tickets may be purchased at the stadium ticket office adjacent to the east side of the bleachers. There are also about 3,000 free seats in the Direct Auto Insurance Free Grandstands.
Of course, the St. Clement Catholic Church Make Your Own Strawberry Shortcake booth will be open all day! In the main Expo Building, it’s a chance to get a heaping helping of the succulent berries with a biscuit or cake, piled high with plenty of whipped cream.
The Florida Strawberry Festival runs through Sunday, March 13 in Plant City. Advance discount tickets are on sale at participating Sweetbay Supermarkets.
For more information call 813-752-9194 or log on to www.flstrawberryfestival.com.
