Whether a lifelong berry lover or a first-time visitor, the Florida Strawberry Festival has something to satisfy every craving.
Festival goers can delight in a wide variety of mouth-watering strawberry-inspired treats, from refreshing strawberry milkshakes that are thick and creamy to strawberry pizza, a buttery shortbread crust, cream cheese spread topped with fresh strawberries and a strawberry jelly sauce. Guests craving something simple can grab a bowl of fresh strawberries or grab a homemade jar of strawberry jam to take home.
Among the many delightful treats available, the star of the show is, of course, the iconic strawberry shortcake. No matter which of the three booths you visit, they each promise something tasty to savor, making it the perfect place for foodies and families alike to celebrate the juicy joy of strawberries.
St. Clement “Make your Own” Shortcake Booth
Location: In the middle of the Parke Exhibit Building, next to the Parkesdale Farms booth
Now in its 51st year at the Florida Strawberry Festival, St. Clement Catholic Church is the oldest and largest shortcake operation at the Florida Strawberry Festival that sells approximately 100,000 “make your own” strawberry shortcakes every year and averages about 500 flats of fresh-picked berries a day. Its strawberry shortcake includes a choice of cake or buttermilk biscuit, “you” then add as many delicious Plant City sliced berries in their juices as “you” want. Next, “you” add freshly whipped topping, then they top “your” creation off with a fresh whole “topper” berry to finish “your” creation. “We let you make it yourself so we can’t screw it up,” joked booth chairman Kevin McFaul. They also offer a a plain bowlful of berries for diabetics. Hot and cold beverages and table seating available.
Transforming Life Church’s World-Famous Strawberry Shortcake Booth
Location: Inside the Entenmann’s Strawberry Tent
Another staple of the festival, Transforming Life Church has been selling strawberry shortcake from its booth for 46 years. Its strawberry shortcake includes a serving of pound cake or biscuit topped with a heaping spoonful of delicious Plant City strawberries and a dollop of whipped topping to finish it off. This year, thanks to a collaboration with Fancy Farms, they’ve added the same vanilla soft-serve ice cream as a topping option (for an additional charge) used at Fancy Farms. “We had so many requests over the years for ice cream that we decided to offer it as an option,” said booth chairman Ryan Wynn. “We’ll make your strawberry shortcake however you want it.” Their motto is “we’ll make it your way.”
East Hillsborough Historical Society Shortcake Booth
Location: South of the TECO Expo Hall near Pioneer Village
Another longtime vendor a the Florida Strawberry Festival (they’ve been selling the sweet treats since 1982, back when you could buy a strawberry shortcake for a dollar), the East Hillsborough Historical Society offers a sweet yellow cake or southern-style buttermilk biscuit, served with sweetened or unsweetened fresh strawberries and finished with fresh whipped topping. Beverages include coffee (regular and decaf), Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Dasani water.
Want another type of strawberry fix? Check out these vendors:
Fresh Strawberries: After you’ve filled up on strawberry shortcake, take a flat home for you and your friends to enjoy.
Parkesdale Farms- South side of Parke Exhibit Building
Wish Farms- Northeast corner of Parke Exhibit Building and just outside Gate 1/Amscot Main Ticket Gate
Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake Milkshake: A creamy strawberry milkshake (the cup is rolled in Fruity Pebbles) is topped with a strawberry cupcake and sponge cake then finished off with fresh whipped cream, more strawberries and a strawberry lollipop.
Polar Bear Ice Cream- Edwards Street & East Independent
Strawberry Milkshakes: Made with fresh strawberries, milk and maybe a touch of sugar.
Brandon Farms- Directly inside Gate 1/Amscot Main Ticket Gate
Polar Bear Ice Cream- Edwards Street & East Independent
Fruit and Cream Hut- Southside
Dairy Bar- Pioneer Village
Eatery Hut- Edwards Street
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries: These berries are carefully dipped and ready to be devoured.
Chocolate Strawberry Express- Middle of Parke Exhibit Building
Mavric’s Chocolate Barn- South end of the Entenmann’s Strawberry Tent
Strawberry Jam: Made with Plant City strawberries!
Parkesdale Farms- South side of Parke Exhibit Building
Brandon Farms- East of the TECO Expo Hall, near Gate 1
Strawberry Pie and Strawberry Cheesecake: Need we say more?
Plant City High School Music Foundation- Stadium Exhibit Hall
Bowl of Berries (sugar-free available): The most simple way to enjoy strawberry goodness.
Plant City High School Music Foundation- Stadium Exhibit Hall
Sunshine Concessions- Woodrow Wilson Street
Strawberry Pizza: This dessert pizza satisfies with a graham cracker or sugar cookie crust, a cream cheese icing, strawberry glaze and sliced strawberries.
Brandon Farms- East of the TECO Expo Hall, near Gate 1