PLANT CITY, Fla. — Hosted in what’s known as the winter strawberry capital of the world, the Strawberry Festival returned on Thursday to Plant City.

The festival first kicked off in 1930 as a way to celebrate the harvest, and now, there’s over 10,000 acres of strawberries planted there annually. As the amount of crops grew, so did the festival.

Every year, the community turns out to enjoy exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, fine arts, horticulture and crafts.

This event is steeped in tradition, but there’s also so much new at the festival this year.

Throw in the midway full of rides and a wide variety of musical guests, and it’s a great celebration of strawberries and Plant City.

This year’s festival runs to March 12.

For the first time this year, the Florida Strawberry Festival is hosting Special Smiles Day, which festival officials say is reserved for celebrating and serving their most treasured guests in a safe, fun and sensory-considerate environment.

Special Smiles Day will be held on Friday, March 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. View more details here.