Find out about the exhibits and events at the 2016 Florida Strawberry Festival.
Thursday, March 3
Florida Blue Senior Citizen Day | Patrons 60 years or older get $2 off $10 admission.
10:30 a.m. Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra (Wish Farms Soundstage)
11:45 a.m. Senior Citizens Drawing (Wish Farms Soundstage)
3 p.m., 6 p.m. The Gothard Sisters (Truwhip Strawberry Tent)
3:30 p.m. Charley Pride (Wish Farms Soundstage)
6 p.m. Rosewood Creek (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage)
7 p.m. Mosaic Youth Swine Show (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
7:30 p.m. Josh Turner (Wish Farms Soundstage)
Friday, March 4
Publix Feeding Florida Day | Bring in a Publix-brand nonperishable to receive $5 off $20 Fun Pack Ride Coupon Book. 12 to 4 p.m. Meet Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks (Carolina Carports Inc. Display)
1 p.m. Dairy Contest Judging (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
2 p.m. Fried Corn on the Cob Eating Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent)
3 p.m., 6 p.m. The Gothard Sisters (Truwhip Strawberry Tent)
3:30 p.m. Mickey Gilley (Wish Farms Soundstage)
6 p.m. Truitts (TBT Variety Stage)
7 p.m. Mosaic Youth Swine Sale (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
7:30 p.m. Big & Rich (Wish Farms Soundstage)
10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Moonlight Magic (Midway)
Saturday, March 5
Free Kids Day | Kids through high school age admitted free.
11 a.m. 43rd Annual Civitan’s Florida Strawberry Festival Youth Parade (State Farmer’s Market)
11 a.m. Dairy Show Showmanship (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
12 to 4 p.m. Meet Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks (Carolina Carports Inc. Display)
1 p.m. Dairy Show (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
2 p.m. Youth Strawberry Stemming Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent)
3 p.m., 6 p.m. The Gothard Sisters (Truwhip Strawberry Tent)
3:30 p.m. Lecrae (Wish Farms Soundstage)
6 p.m. Danny Moody Band (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage)
7:30 to 10 p.m. Gospel Night Featuring Pastor Calvin “Pee Wee” Callins (Bright House Networks Showcase Tent)
7:30 p.m. Cheap Trick (Wish Farms Soundstage)
Sunday, March 6
Fanta Family Day | Present any Fanta or Coca-Cola can or bottle to receive $5 off $25 ride wristbands.
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Baby Contest (Bright House Networks Showcase Tent)
11 a.m. Dairy Adult Showmanship (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
11:30 a.m. Dairy Pee Wee Showmanship (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
12:30 p.m. Dairy Costume Ball (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
3 p.m., 6 p.m. The Gothard Sisters (Truwhip Strawberry Tent)
2 p.m. Youth Plant Sale (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
3:30 p.m. Shenandoah (Wish Farms Soundstage)
6 p.m. HOLA, Plant City! (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage)
7:30 p.m. Donny and Marie (Wish Farms Soundstage)
Monday, March 7
Ride-A-Thon | Ride wristbands on sale for $20.
10 a.m. Invitational Parade Luncheon
1 p.m. Grand Parade (Historic Downtown Plant City)
3 p.m., 6 p.m. The Gothard Sisters (Truwhip Strawberry Tent)
3 p.m The Home Depot Kids Workshop (East Ind.)
3:30 Gene Watson (Wish Farms Soundstage)
5 p.m. Lamb Showmanship and Show (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
6 p.m. Jake Castro Band (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage)
7:30 p.m. NRG (Bright House Networks Showcase Tent)
7:30 p.m. Lonestar (Wish Farms Soundstage)
Tuesday, March 8
Twosday and Ride-A-Thon | From 12 to 11 p.m. ride a single ride for $20 or buy a ride wristband for $20.
2 p.m. Adult Strawberry Stemming Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent)
3 p.m., 6 p.m. The Gothard Sisters (Truwhip Strawberry Tent)
3 p.m. Lamb Jumpin Contest (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
3:30 p.m. Dick Fox’s Golden Boys Starring Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell (Wish Farms Soundstage)
6 p.m. Denise Moore and Then Some (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage)
7 p.m. Lamb Costume Contest (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
7:30 p.m. Trace Adkins (Wish Farms Soundstage)
Wednesday, March 9
American Heroes Day | Active, reserve, retired military, veterans, law enforcement and first responders admitted free with valid ID.
12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. The Walker Boys (Truwhip Strawberry Tent)
1 p.m. Super Dog Mega Corndog Eating Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent)
3:30 p.m. Ray Stevens (Wish Farms Soundstage)
6 p.m. Mosaic Youth Steer Show (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
6 p.m. Bobby G. Summers (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage)
7:15 p.m. Honor American Heroes (Wish Farms Soundstage)
7:30 Martina McBride (Wish Farms Soundstage)
Thursday, March 10
Florida Blue Senior Citizen Day | Patrons 60 years or older get $2 off $10 admission.
10:30 a.m. Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (Wish Farms Soundstage)
11:45 a.m. Senior Citizens Drawing (Wish Farms Soundstage)
12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. The Walker Boys (Truwhip Strawberry Tent)
2 p.m. Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent)
3:30 p.m. Oak Ridge Boys (Wish Farms Soundstage)
6 p.m. Skyler Clark (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage)
7:30 p.m. Casting Crowns (Wish Farms Soundstage)
Friday, March 11
Tampa Bay Times Day on the Midway | From 12 to 10 p.m. receive a $5 discount with a coupon from the Tampa Bay Times for the $20 Fun Pack Ride Coupon Book.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks (Carolina Carports Inc. Display)
12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. The Walker Boys (Truwhip Strawberry Tent)
1 p.m. Strawberry Mashed Potato Pie Eating Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent)
3:30 p.m. Tanya Tucker (Wish Farms Soundstage)
6 p.m. Beef Breed Showmanship (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
6 p.m. Sara Rose Band (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage)
7:30 p.m. Cole Swindell (Wish Farms Soundstage)
10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Moonlight Magic
Saturday, March 12
Farm Worker Appreciation Day | From 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. a ride wristband will be $30.
9 a.m. Registration for Livestock Judging Contest (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
10 a.m. Livestock Judging (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
10:15 a.m. Baby Parade (Morrow Steel Free Grandstand)
12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. The Walker Boys (Truwhip Strawberry Tent)
3:30 p.m. Merle Haggard (Wish Farms Soundstage)
6 p.m. The Moriah Project (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage)
7 p.m. Mosaic Youth Steer Sale (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
7:30 p.m. Cigar City Blues Band (Bright House Network Showcase Tent)
7:30 p.m. Charlie Wilson (Wish Farms Soundstage)
Sunday, March 13
Fanta Family Day | Present any Fanta or Coca-Cola can or bottle to receive $5 off $25 ride wristbands.
11 a.m. Youth Beef Breed Show (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks (Carolina Carports Inc. Display)
12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. The Walker Boys (Truwhip Strawberry Tent)
1 p.m. Kitchen Craft Cooking Drawing (Neighborhood Village)
2 p.m. Club Med Giveaway (TECO Expo Hall)
3:30 p.m. Echosmith (Wish Farms Soundstage)
5 p.m. Stingray Chevrolet Vehicle Drawing (East Ind.)
6 p.m. HOLA, Plant City! (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage)
7:30 p.m. The Band Perry (Wish Farms Soundstage)
Exhibits
Astin Farms Pavilion
Swine: Thursday, March 3, to Saturday, March 5
Dairy: Thursday, March 3, to Sunday, March 6
Steer: Wednesday, March 9, to Saturday, March 12
Swindle Family Pavilion
Mosaic Poultry and Rabbit Shows: daily
Beef Exhibit: Friday, March 11, to Sunday, March 13
Youth Plant Show: Thursday, March 3, to Sunday, March 6
Lamb Show: Monday, March 7, to Wednesday, March 9
Neighborhood Village
Garden Club Horticulture Show: daily
Strawberry Queen Exhibit: daily
Neighborhood Village and Youth Village: daily
Roy and Helen Parke Building
Shoebox Float Display: daily
Milton E. Hull Armory Building
East Hillsborough Art Guild Art Show: daily
Photography Contest: daily
Strawberry Production Exhibit, daily
Pioneer Village, daily
Daily Shows
Belmont Magic Show
(on grounds) 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
Branch and Dean
(Bright House Networks Showcase Tent) 1 p.m., 4 p.m.
Circus Incredible
(on grounds) 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Dennis Lee
(Bright House Networks Showcase Tent; no 12 p.m. show March 6) 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m.
Kari and Billy
(Truwhip Strawberry Tent) 1 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.
Maximus G
(on grounds) 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.
Meet and Greet with Mr. Berry
(Parke Building Gazebo) 11 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Nathan Osmond
(Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage) 12 p.m., 3 p.m.
RedHead Express
(Bright House Networks Showcase Tent; no 11 a.m. show March 6) 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m.
Robinson’s Racing Pigs
(on grounds) 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m.
Runa Pacha Indian World
(on grounds) 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m.
SouthWest Dairy Farmers Milking Show
(on grounds) 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m.
