And just like that, the first week of the 2022 Florida Strawberry Festival has come and gone.
That one-of-a-kind energy has permeated throughout Plant City with the festival’s presence as thousands flock to the festival grounds to experience all of the festivities for the first time, or make their annual return with another chance to build memories with family and friends.
From all of the rides on the midway, delicious foods both familiar and brand new, flying dogs, racing pigs, a Grand Parade and the return of headline entertainment, the festival remains in full swing.
The opening day of the festival brought three headline acts, opening with Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra followed by The Oak Ridge Boys and capped off with Lady A. Over the next few days the festival’s star-studded lineup would bring fans to their feet with performances from artists like country star Lauren Daigle, R&B icons Boys II Men, rock legend Sammy Hagar and hometown hero Kenzie Wheeler.
But all around the grounds people could find different forms of entertainment to fill their day, from the Amish Donut Eating Contest on Friday to the Lamb Costume Contest on Sunday to the return of action-packed, half-hour thrills like K9’s in Flight and Robinson’s Racing Pigs.
Here are some of the Plant City Observer’s best images from this past week, with plenty of Festival fun still left before it wraps up on Sunday.