During its 11-day run from Thursday, March 2 to Sunday, March 12, the Florida Strawberry Festival saw a total of 540,628 visitors.
The number is down about 20,000 from the 2016 festival, which saw 560,487 visitors.
Even so, vendors reported success. As they did in 2016, Belle City Amusements Inc., the carnival company that provides the festival's rides, reported a substantial increase in sales.
“Our attendance was down about 20,000 compared to last year, but we still had a phenomenal festival,” Florida Strawberry Festival General Manager Paul Davis said. “Everyone was safe and had a great time with their families, and that is what matters most to us.”
“I want to personally thank our patrons, vendors, concessionaires, community volunteers, sponsors and everyone else who had a hand in putting this festival together,” he added. “We have some exciting changes planned for 2018, and we’re already looking forward to next year.”
The 2018 Florida Strawberry Festival will be held March 1 through March 11.