Florida Strawberry Festival

Not far west of Lakeland, Florida, is Plant City. Named after Henry B. Plant who built the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (a spur of which cuts across central Florida and bisects Lakeland), the community is better known these days for another plant. All through the area acres of strawberry fields are nurtured carefully and are celebrated each year in March with the 

Florida

Strawberry Festival

Whereas the Florida State Fair is a multi-faceted event featuring the region's rural and agricultural character, the Strawberry Festiv

al is dedicated to one theme. To be sure there are all of the elements you would expect in a fair; but everywhere you turn you find...strawberries...and you never grow tired of them.

Predominant in the many exhibits this year were displays by youth organizations such as the Future Farmers of America. Each sought to outdo the other in creativity and beauty.














And, of course, there was no shortage of opportunities to enjoy strawberry shortcakes, smoothies, sundaes and a wide variety of other berry-good options.




There were also more exotic possibilities. Judy and I marveled at the prevalence of desserts combined with bacon! Our favorite, though, remains roasted corn on the cob and spiedies finished off with a make-your-own shortcake.

Thinking of making a trip to Florida in late February or early March? Keep track of the dates on line and think seriously about swinging by the Florida
Strawberry Festival.