Get your picture taken with the berry cutest duo during the 11-day event.
Even though the Florida Strawberry Festival (FSF) has been welcoming visitors through its gates to enjoy berries, berries and more berries since 1930 (then known as the Plant City Strawberry Festival), Mr. And Miss Berry, the official mascots of the 11-day event, didn’t make their first appearance until Feb. 10, 1993.
That is, Mr. Berry (not to be confused with longtime resident Al Berry), donning a bandleader-type costume, made his debut. The theme that year was “A Touch of Magic.” In one photo from that year his image, big strawberry head and all, was captured with festival staff Ellany Johnson, Ken Cassels, Carolyn Eady, Patsy Brooks, Christy Meyer and Stephen Tracy.
Plant City residents and festival visitors alike fell in love with the mascot, who isn’t so much a “spokesberry” as he doesn’t say much but brings smiles to faces of all ages as he makes routine appearances at the festival, waves to thousands at the parade and frequently pops by at events around town.
Then, in 2019, the lonely Mr. Berry found a friend when festival leaders decided it was time to add another mascot to the mix. Miss Berry quickly became Mr. Berry’s leading lady.
However, they weren’t an exact match. “When she was first introduced we got a lot of questions about why her head was different,” said FSF Media and Public Relations Representative Jennifer Morgan. “That was because her head was a little different because it was manufactured after Mr. Berry’s but we told guests that it was because they were different varieties of berries.”
That’s changed this year, as they’ve both had a glow-up and will be sporting bright new heads, produced by a new manufacturer since the former one went out of business during the COVID pandemic. “Mr. Berry was showing his age a bit so we had new heads created for both of them,” said Morgan. “They’re such a staple of the festival so it’s important that they look their best.”
To finish the look, Morgan said she and her staff shop thrift stores to purchase their clothes. While Mr. Berry is easygoing and has a staple wardrobe, Miss Berry is a little more fashion-forward and loves to have plenty of outfit choices so she can look her best when taking photos with festival guests. “She wears all kinds of dresses and tutus and things like that,” said Morgan.
While the dapper duo look meant for each other (some people have speculated that there is a romantic relationship between the mascots), Morgan said, for now, they’re just friends. “They’ve always just been good friends but you never know what will happen in the future,” she said jokingly. “Something may ‘bud.’”
In the meantime, the friends enjoy their quality time meeting guests and having their picture taken and there’s no better way to commemorate your visit to the Festival than by getting a picture with Mr. And Miss Berry. Meet and Greets take place each day at 11 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Orthotic Works gazebo next to the red Lost and Found Caboose. They also make their rounds throughout the day and you may catch them at the entrance, supporting the contestants in the eating contests or hanging out in the Neighborhood Village. Their smiling faces can also be seen atop a float in the Titan Contracting Grand Parade on Monday, March 3rd.
New this year, the “berry” biggest fans can take home their very own Mr. Berry plush doll, sold at the Florida Strawberry Festival History Center and Gift Shop. “They’re super cute and I think everybody will like them,” said Morgan.
