Plant City Insider

February 27, 2025, marks the much-anticipated opening day of the Florida Strawberry Festival, a beloved annual tradition that draws crowds from across the state and beyond. Held in the heart of Florida’s strawberry country, Plant City, this year’s Festival promises a sweet celebration of the region’s iconic fruit, along with a hearty dose of family-friendly fun.

The gates will swing open this morning to the delighted cheers of Festival-goers, greeted by the irresistible aroma of fresh strawberries and the sound of live music drifting through the air. Now in its 90th year, the event runs from today (February 27th) through March 9, offering 11 days packed with entertainment, food, and festivities. Visitors can expect the classics: juicy strawberry shortcakes piled high with whipped cream, local vendor booths showcasing arts and crafts, and thrilling midway rides lighting up the skyline.

The newest addition to the beloved Strawberry Festival will no doubt be the brand new Wish Farms Soundstage. The brand new state-of-the-art soundstage replaced the aging soundstage, which was limiting the type of performances that the Festival was able to hold. An interesting thing to note, however, is that in permit filings for the new stage it was revealed that it is technically “temporary” which means it will likely be taken down at the end of the Festival. It is unknown if a more permanent stage will be built between this year’s Festival and the next, or if moving forward, the Festival will continue to erect this stage every year. If the Festival chooses to only erect the stage every year for the Festival instead of building a permanent structure, this could be a sign the Festival is exploring using the venue for other purposes throughout the year, since there would no longer be a limit to just musical performances due to a permanent stage being there.

This year’s opening day features a lineup of performances headlined by country music star Sara Evans, set to take the stage tonight at 7:30 PM. Other notable 7:30PM headline entertainment includes,

• Reba: Friday, February 28th, 2025 SOLD OUT
• Lauren Daigle, Saturday, March 1st, 2025 Tickets $65
• Baily Zimmerman, Sunday, March 2nd, 2025 $75
• Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wednesday, March 5th $70
• Whiskey Myers, Thursday, March 6th, $65
• Jon Pardi, Friday, March 7th, 2025 $70
• Nelly, Saturday, March 8th, 2025 $65
• John Fogerty, Sunday, March 9th, 2025 $75

This years Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court includes:

• Queen- Gabriela Hagman
• First Maid- Macey Riley
• Makinley Jensen
• Abigail Mullis
• Olivia Lawton

Gabriela Hagman and Olivia Lawton are current Durant High School Students, Macey Riley is a current Strawberry Crest High School Student, and Makinley Jensen and Abigail Mullis are current Plant City High School Students.

The Florida Strawberry Festival isn’t just about indulgence—it’s a nod to the hardworking farmers who’ve made Plant City the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.” Festival organizers estimate that over 500,000 visitors will flock to the event over its run, boosting local pride and the economy alike.

Whether you’re here for the food, the music, or the memories, opening day has set the tone for another unforgettable year. So grab a flat of strawberries, snap a photo with the giant strawberry mascot, and dive into the fun—Plant City’s sweetest season is officially underway!