PLANT CITY, Fla. — The 87th annual Florida Strawberry Festival kicked off Thursday with entertainment, exhibits and plenty of food.
The March 3-13 event celebrates all things strawberry in Plant City.
In addition to the festival favorite - its famous strawberry shortcake - this year’s event will feature many new food offerings.
Among the highlights: Apple Fry Sundae, Fried Mac & Cheese Balls, Berry Dog, Buffalo Cauliflower Macaroni & Cheese Crunch Wrap, Strawberry Key Lime Funnel Cake and Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese.
This year’s festival also will feature new vendors including American Patriot (gun storage), Annie’s Pooch Pops pet treats, DMK Naturals (alternative to plastic wrap and bags) and For Pedro’s Sake, which makes candied jalapenos.
Entertainment Lineup
This year’s music entertainment highlights include The Beach Boys, Boyz II Men, Sammy Hagar, Lee Greenwood and Nelly. Tickets can be purchased online at www.flstrawberryfestival.com.
Here is this year's entertainment lineup:
Thursday, March 3:
- 10:30 a.m. Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra
- 3:30 p.m. The Oak Ridge Boys
- 7:30 p.m. Lady A
Friday, March 4:
- 3:30 p.m. The Beach Boys
- 7:30 p.m. Boyz II Men
Saturday, March 5:
- 3:30 p.m. Home Free
- 7:30 p.m. Lauren Daigle
Sunday, March 6:
- 3:30 p.m. Chicks with Hits featuring Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, and Suzy Bogguss
- 7:30 p.m. Sammy Hagar & the Circle
Monday, March 7:
- 3:30 p.m. John Anderson
- 7:30 p.m. Kenzie Wheeler
Tuesday, March 8:
- 3:30 p.m. Ricky Nelson Remembered Starring Matthew & Gunnar Nelson
- 7:30 p.m. Zach Williams
Wednesday, March 9:
- 3:30 p.m. Lee Greenwood
- 7:30 p.m. Jake Owen
Thursday, March 10:
- 10:30 a.m. The Lettermen
- 3:30 p.m. The Drifters, Cornell Gunter's Coasters & The Platters
- 7:30 p.m. Tesla
Friday, March 11:
- 3:30 p.m. Gene Watson
- 7:30 p.m. Cole Swindell
Saturday, March 12:
- 3:30 p.m. Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots
- 7:30 p.m. Nelly
Sunday, March 13:
- 3:30 p.m. The Bellamy Brothers
- 7:30 p.m. Sam Hunt
Live Stock Shows
Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m.
- Mosaic Youth Swine Show
Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m.
- Mosaic Youth Swine Sale
Saturday, March 5
- Dairy Showmanship – 11 a.m.
- Dairy Show – 1 p.m.
Sunday, March 6
- Dairy Showmanship (Adults) – 11 a.m.
- Dairy Showmanship (Pee Wee) – 11:30 a.m.
- Dairy Costume Ball – 12:30 p.m.
- Youth Plant Sale – 2 p.m.
Monday, March 7
- Lamb Jumping Contest – 3 p.m.
- Lamb Costume Contest – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 8 at 3 p.m. & 5 p.m.
- Lamb Showmanship and Show
Wednesday, March 9 at 6 p.m.
- Mosaic Youth Steer Show
Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m.
- Mosaic Youth Steer Showmanship
Friday, March 11 at 6 p.m.
- Beef Breed Showmanship
Saturday, March 12
- Mosaic Youth Judging Contest – 10 a.m.
- Mosaic Youth Steer Sale – 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 13 at 11 a.m.
- Beef Breed Show
Mosaic Poultry & Rabbit Exhibits on Display Daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.