FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL REPORTS ATTENDANCE FOR 2026 EVENT
The Florida Strawberry Festival announced that 573,299 guests attended the 2026 event, held February 26 through March 8.
The 11-day celebration welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors who enjoyed agricultural exhibits, youth livestock shows, headline entertainment, midway rides, contests, and the festival’s well-known strawberry shortcake. The event also featured two sold-out headline concerts at the Wish Farms Soundstage, each drawing record-setting crowds.
“Each year our goal is to provide a place where families can come together to enjoy time with one another and create lasting memories,” Robinson said. “We’re proud to continue offering a safe, welcoming atmosphere while presenting outstanding entertainment, agricultural experiences, and the traditions that make the Florida Strawberry Festival so unique.”
Festival officials reported one arrest and 21 ejections or trespasses during the 11-day event. Organizers noted that these numbers reflect the continued efforts of law enforcement, security personnel, and Festival staff to maintain a safe environment for guests.
“Safety remains one of our top priorities,” Robinson added. “The cooperation between our guests, volunteers, staff, and local law enforcement plays an important role in ensuring the Festival remains one of the safest large-scale events in the region.”
With its wide variety of attractions, concerts, exhibits, and competitions, the festival once again demonstrated why it continues to be one of the best values in wholesome entertainment for guests of all ages.Festival organizers also expressed appreciation to the community, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and guests who contributed to the success of this year’s event.
Florida Strawberry Festival Chairman Pam Warnock thanked the community for its continued support.
“We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers, sponsors, vendors, staff, and the many guests who joined us for this year’s Festival,” Warnock said. “Because of their support, we are able to continue providing a safe and welcoming environment where traditions are celebrated, and memories are made. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year.”
The 92nd Annual Florida Strawberry Festival will take place March 4–14, 2027, in Plant City, Florida. More information is available at www.flstrawberryfestival.com.
STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EARN TOP HONORS AT FLORIDA CULINARY COMPETITION
Students from Strawberry Crest High School earned statewide recognition after sweeping the 25th Annual Florida ProStart Competition, taking first place overall as well as first place in both the culinary and restaurant management categories.
The competition was held in Orlando and featured student teams from across Florida. Strawberry Crest High School’s performance secured advancement to the National ProStart Invitational, which will be held in Washington, D.C., in April.
The culinary team, comprised of Riley Clark, Brinley Miranda, Ethan Weisenritter, Jessie Andrew, and Samantha Chung, earned first place in the culinary division. The restaurant management team, comprising Toby Highsmith, Macey Riley, Dayana Hernandez, Abigail Emin, and Pooja Gopinathrao, won first place in the management competition.
The school’s culinary program outperformed competitors from across the state, including programs participating in Florida’s ProStart initiative, the largest ProStart program in the nation with approximately 30,000 students enrolled annually.
“This incredible achievement reflects the strength of the programs we offer our students and the dedication of the educators who support them,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “We are extremely proud of the Strawberry Crest High School team for representing their school and our district with excellence on a statewide stage.”
The program is led by Hillsborough County Public School Chef Paul Bonanno, who brings 17 years of professional culinary experience to the classroom, including service as executive chef at Tampa’s Bernini restaurant. Under his leadership, students in the program have achieved a 98 percent pass rate on ServSafe and National Registry of Food Service Professionals exams, and 90 percent of top graduates move directly into the culinary workforce or post-secondary culinary education upon graduation.
Florida’s ProStart program provides students with hands-on experience in culinary arts and restaurant management, supported by universities and private sponsors. Participants compete for a share of $2.1 million in scholarships offered by institutions such as the Culinary Institute of America, Florida International University, and the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
To learn more about HCPS culinary programs, visit hillsborougschools.org.
HOPE LUTHERAN WELCOMES MOBILE FOOD PANTRY:
On Thursday, March 19, Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 North Park Road, will host their mobile food pantry in the church parking lot. This pantry, in association with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Lakeland, will begin distributing food to those in need beginning at 6:00 p.m. until the supplies are distributed. Anyone in need of grocery assistance is encouraged to join us as we work to eliminate food insecurities in our community. Various goods are available from vegetables to meats to dairy and bakery goods. As a rule, The pantry, “Moving Hope” takes place at Hope Lutheran on the third Thursday of each month. No identification is required, and the pantry is open to anyone in the Plant City community needing that extra hand. For additional information, contact the church office at 813-752-4622.
