Fairs and Florida Strawberry Festival represent history in a continuing process–they reach far back into the past when they were the source of uniting communities through celebrations of their harvests. They will continue into the future through preservation of this heritage.  Unlike the Cambridge (UK) Strawberry festival, the Florida Strawberry Festival is legitimately linked to a continuous tradition and traditions.   One of the most obvious traditions is the volunteer spirit that prevails. The Florida Strawberry Festival® has served to preserve and enhance the agricultural and historical legacy of the strawberry.

Whatever your interests, the festival has it all exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, fine arts, horticulture, and crafts await you. The fabric of American life is woven into this Florida Strawberry Festival through ethnic traditions, social events, competitive contests, youth developmental programs, top-name entertainment, parades with scores of glorious floats, and high-stepping marching bands moving to the musical beat.

The Florida Strawberry Festival is in essence a community fair. The Florida Strawberry Festival heritage dates back to 1930 when members of the newly organized Plant City Lions Club conceived the idea of an event to celebrate the bountiful harvest of the strawberries. The Lions Club and other civic organizations have participated in the Florida Strawberry Festival throughout its history.

Today, the annual event has become one of the best Florida Strawberry Festivals in the USA.   What could be more american than discovering Plant City, Florida and eating ripe, luscious strawberries which local berry farmers have worked long and hard to bring to market? Over 5,000 acres of strawberries are planted annually. There are some 2,600 farms in Hillsborough County producing fruit and vegetable crops with an annual value of over 400 million dollars. This county is now one of the largest agricultural counties in the nation. The diversified farm production includes strawberries, citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, squash, okra, peppers, beans, dairy products, eggs, ornamental horticulture, tropical fish, beef cattle, swine and other related products.

One of the main events of the Florida Strawberry Festival is the annual scholarship pageant for the selection and coronation of the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen.

The Florida Strawberry Festivals own Post Office is of extra special interest to everyone. The old mail boxes, a desk, and other furniture were actually used in early Post Offices in this area. The Post Office is operated each day of the Florida Strawberry Festival by the U.S. Postal Service. The hand stamp on letters and cards mailed from the Post Office show "Florida Strawberry Festiva Station, Plant City, Florida 33563." An authentic log cabin that dates back to the mid-1800’s is located next to the Post Office. The cabin was moved log by log from its original site on Knights Griffin Road, seven miles northeast of Plant City, to the Florida Strawberry Festiva grounds. Turn-of-the-century antiques are displayed in the cabin.

Alan Jackson, Sugarland and Billy Ray Cyrus are among the musical acts slated to appear at the 2008 Florida Strawberry Festival.
The festival's headline entertainment lineup, released Friday, reflects a variety beyond country music fare, from the Smothers Brothers to Tom Jones.  "We're really excited about it," festival general manager Patsy Brooks said of the stable of entertainment that includes Christian band MercyMe.

The festival again will offer free seating in the concrete bleachers for all shows with gate admission. Last year, fans had to pay for those seats during evening shows.  Concert reserved seating ticket prices range from $10 to $40. Tickets go on sale Monday.

The festival is Feb. 28 through March 9. More information is at www.flstrawberryfestival.com, or by calling the festival ticket office at (813) 754-1996.

Concert tickets do not include gate admission and children 3 and older are required to have a ticket for reserved seating.

The festival ticket office at 2209 W. Oak St., Plant City, will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Monday only.

After the first day of ticket sales, the office will be open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Gate admission tickets will also be for sale, $8 in advance for ages 13 and up and $4 for ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Admission at the gate is $10 and $4 respectively.

Here is the lineup, including artist, performance time and date and reserved ticket prices:

Bobby Vinton, 3:30 p.m. Feb. 28, $10 and $15.

Josh Turner, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, $15 and $20.

Charley Pride, 3:30 p.m. Feb. 29, $10 and $15.

Miranda Lambert, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29, $10 and $15.

Jeff and Sheri Easter/The Isaacs, 3:30 p.m. March 1, $10 and $15.

MercyMe, 7:30 p.m. March 1, $10 and $15.

Chris Cagle, 3:30 p.m. March 2, $10 and $15.

Alan Jackson, 7:30 p.m. March 2, $40.

Mickey Gilley, 3:30 p.m. March 3, $10 and $15.

Travis Tritt, 7:30 p.m. March 3, $15 and $20.

Glen Campbell, 3:30 p.m. March 4, $10 and $15.

Blake Shelton, 7:30 p.m. March 4, $10 and $15.

Crystal Gayle, 3:30 p.m. March 5, $10 and $15.

Tom Jones 7:30 p.m. March 5, $15 and $20.

The Smothers Brothers, 3:30 p.m. March 6, $10 and $15.

Charlie Daniels Band, 7:30 p.m. March 6, $10 and $15.

Gene Watson, 3:30 p.m. March 7, $10 and $15.

Trace Adkins, 7:30 p.m. March 7, $15 and $20.

Billy Ray Cyrus, 3:30 p.m. March 8, $10 and $15.

Neal McCoy, 7:30 p.m. March 8, $10 and $15.

Sugarland, 3:30 p.m. March 9, $30 and $35.

Jason Aldean, 7:30 p.m. March 9, $15 and $20.