The Florida Strawberry Festival has announced its theme for 2021 will be “All Aboard.”
“We wanted the theme this year to reflect our enthusiasm for togetherness,” Florida Strawberry Festival President Paul Davis said. “So, we thought it would be fitting to play off of that with a railroad theme and we feel like this is a concept our community will really jump on board with, so to speak.”
This will be the 86th annual Florida Strawberry Festival and although it is still months away, it has already been revealed that big changes are in the works to keep attendees as safe as possible. The one major alteration from prior years is the cancellation of headline acts at the main stage. Usually thousands pour into the festival grounds each night to watch performers like Reba McEntire or STYX.
With that cancellation, Davis said the festival hopes to be able to manage the crowds and follow the CDC guidelines. He said that they have “met with all of the health officials and the Health Department, the Surgeon General for the state of Florida, we’ve really had a lot of conversations and put together our own safety and health committee.”
With that committee, the festival monitored all of the up-to-date regulations and recommendations and felt this was the safest way going forward. Davis also said the festival will develop a set of guidelines and requirements prior to the start of the festival so those who are attending, working or volunteering at the 11-day event will know exactly what they must do to safely be on the grounds.
With the theme announced, attendees will be able to glimpse its reflection in decorations by “vendors, FFA chapters, organizations, corporate partners and exhibitors who create parade floats and displays throughout the event,” Davis said. Mr. Berry is wearing a conductor’s cap, carrying a plate of strawberry shortcake and a ticket in this year’s themed artwork.
The 2021 Florida Strawberry Festival will take place from March 4 to 14. For more information, visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (#berryfest21).
“We look forward to seeing our guests and hope they will enjoy all the 2021 Florida Strawberry Festival has to offer,” Davis said. “It is our goal for every person who walks through our gate to leave satisfied, knowing we offered them something truly special. This year, we are excited to provide our guests with an exceptional experience you can’t find anywhere else — All Aboard the BerryFest Express!”