An astonishing 5,000 acres of land in and around Plant City have been dedicated to one thing this year: strawberries. Since 1930 (with a break for World War II), the Florida Strawberry Festival has dished out shortcake, cobbler, sundaes and ice cream to hundreds of thousands of strawberry fanatics (over 1 million last year), and this Feb. 26 to March 7 is the latest installment.
"Florida's Berried Treasure" is the theme of this throwback to old Florida, and it involves more than just jamming fruit in your face. Needlework and quilting competitions, baking contests, agriculture and livestock shows, bluegrass music and a real, live midway top the entertainment -- not to mention the crowning of King Strawberry. The stadium is about 60 miles west of Orlando on I-4, exit 19. Tickets are $8 for adults and children over 10, and are available at the gate. Call (813) 754-1996 for more information.
