The Florida Strawberry Festival has a long, proud history that’s woven into Plant City’s identity. These photos, which were collected by and are courtesy of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, help illustrate that.
The annual Florida Strawberry Festival, an event deeply rooted in the community’s history, is gearing up for another “fruitful” celebration this year. As the festival approaches its 89th anniversary, it stands as a testament to the region’s agricultural heritage, showcasing the economic and cultural impact of the strawberry industry on the community.
The roots of the Florida Strawberry Festival trace back to 1930, when members of the newly organized Plant City Lions Club conceived the idea of an event to celebrate the bountiful strawberry harvest. That first festival brought farmers, locals and visitors together to celebrate the glorious strawberry. Except for a six-year hiatus during and immediately following World War II, the festival has stood as an annual iconic event for Plant City, attracting people from across the state and beyond.
Initially a one-day event, the festival has evolved into an 11-day extravaganza, featuring agricultural exhibits, live entertainment, carnival rides and an array of strawberry-inspired treats. Like a snowball rolling downhill, each year the festival picked up steam, garnering more support from other local service organizations, churches, schools, members of the community and others, until it became the event we recognize today.
Here’s a look back at festivals of bygone years. While fashion and entertainment trends may have changed over the years, the festival’s mission has remained the same: preserving the cultural heritage of Plant City while passing down traditions to future generations.
