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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCalled \u201cBerryFest24,\u201d the Florida Strawberry Festival takes place Thursday to March 10 at the festival fairgrounds in Plant City. The 11-day festival, now in its 89th year, is held to celebrate eastern Hillsborough County\u2019s annual strawberry harvest, and in recent years more than 600,000 visitors attend for a day or night of entertainment, youth livestock shows, exhibits of commerce and world-famous strawberry shortcake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the direction of new Florida Strawberry Festival President Kyle Robinson, who began serving in April 2023, this year\u2019s festival is operating under the theme \u201cOut of This World.\u201d Robinson said the theme represents the staff\u2019s efforts to create an \u201cout of this world\u201d experience for festival goers this year.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\u201cThe festival\u2019s atmosphere is like no other,\u201d Robinson said in a written statement. \u201cSeeing families gather, volunteers serving and the Plant City community coming together year after year is extraordinary. There\u2019s no place on Earth quite like the Florida Strawberry Festival.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That other-worldly experience not only comes from the Strawberry Festival\u2019s agrarian and farming exhibitions and displays but also from its renowned music lineups on the Wish Farms Soundstage. Among this year\u2019s headlining acts are Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra, The Beach Boys, Black Eyed Peas, The Bellamy Brothers, ZZ Top, Bill Haley & The Comets, Craig Morgan, The Commodores and Foreigner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Country artist Cody Johnson will also perform, taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. March 10. His 2019 album \u201cAin\u2019t Nothin’ to It\u201d was No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Country chart the week of Feb. 2, 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe festival has always strived to bring some of the biggest names in entertainment to our community, and Cody Johnson will take us to the next level,\u201d Robinson stated.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIn all, there will be about 400 different concessionaires and vendors \u2014 many of them new to vending at the Strawberry Festival \u2014 along with free entertainment throughout the festival\u2019s run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are a few of this year\u2019s highlights. See the festival website www.flstrawberryfestival.com<\/a> for a full listing of entertainers and vendors and to verify all times, dates and pertinent information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aaron Radatz Magical Entertainer: Radatz has attracted global clients including Aflac, Caesars Palace, Princess Cruise Line, Hilton Hotels, General Motors, Volvo, Busch Gardens and Disney. Aaron Radatz Magical Entertainer will be performing in the Publix Showcase Tent daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. with no 11 a.m. show on Sunday, March 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deano Graham & The Grass Wagon Revival: Christian revival and gospel singer Deano Graham will be performing in the Publix Showcase Tent March 4 at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Khalea Lynee\u2019: A singer-songwriter with a \u201cspiritual connection\u201d to music, Lynee\u2019 showcases soulful, jazzy influences via gospel roots. She appeared on NBC\u2019s Season 17 of \u201cThe Voice,\u201d where she won all four chairs in her blind audition. She will be performing in the Publix Showcase Tent March 7 at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Them Sweeney Boys: These lads will serenade festival goers with familiar funny sing-along songs along with some classic, slapstick comedy. Them Sweeney Boys will be performing in the Entenmann\u2019s Strawberry Tent daily at noon, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of 2024 new Strawberry Festival craft vendors include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shiver \u2018n Sweat Woodwork: Highlighting a variety of homemade peppermills, cheeseboards, bread boards and spoons on the south side of the Arthur Boring Building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shrunk 3D Tampa: A mobile 3D photography booth located on East Independent, patrons can take a photo and the images come alive as 3-D figurines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Southern Style Sweet Tees: This vendor displays original Florida Man & Pirate Dog Designs, including shirts, flags, koozies, hats, hoodies and more and is located on the southwest corner of the Parke Exhibit Building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Coolest Cooler: Colorful coolers that include seats and trolleys and are in an array of unique designs and located in the North Exhibit Tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n East Hill Creamery: French Alpine style cheeses for sale with raw milk produced by cows on the family farm in west New York. The creamery is located in the Stadium Exhibit Building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Southern Glam Boutique: Trendy brands and styles of women\u2019s clothing, bags, accessories, shoes and more in the Entenmann\u2019s Strawberry Tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By email, BerryFest24 Associate Director Rhett Rollyson said festival staff have worked diligently over the past year to make the festival the best it can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you\u2019re looking for an \u2018out of this world\u2019 experience, you need to come see us at the 2024 Florida Strawberry Festival,\u201d he stated. \u201cThere\u2019s something for everyone \u2014 great exhibits, great rides, great food and great entertainment. See why over 600k visited last year; I promise you won\u2019t be disappointed.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to new vendors and entertainment acts, the 2024 Florida Strawberry Festival has also added a new app so guests can customize visits with features that help with tickets, food, events, parking and more. It can be downloaded now from the App Store or Google Play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you go<\/p>\n\n\n\n WHAT: Florida Strawberry Festival<\/p>\n\n\n\n WHEN: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Feb. 29 to March 10<\/p>\n\n\n\n WHERE: 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City<\/p>\n\n\n\n COST: Adults 13 and over, $15; children 6 to 12, $5; children 5 and under, free with paid adult admission. Discount prices through March 10 at participating Publix Super Market stores<\/a> throughout Central Florida \u2014 adults 13 and over, $10; children 6 to 12, $4; children 5 and under, with paid adult admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n