Pros have mastered the art of taking advantage of the special offers at the Florida Strawberry Festival to ensure they get the most out of their time while participating in the 11-day event.
Each day, the festival offers a “special discount” revolving around a theme or a simple set of instructions. By taking the time to prepare for the days you wish to go you too can get away with a steal on everything from admission to Midway bands.
Thursday, Feb. 28
The kick-off day for this year’s festival is also Florida Blue Senior Citizens Day. Anyone 60 years old or older will get $2 off their $10 gate admission. This is one of two senior days and the first 250 Florida Blue Medicare Members to enter the Strawberry Festival on either today or on Thursday, March 7 will receive free entry compliments of Florida Blue. Show your Member ID card at the gate to receive free entry.
Another thing to keep your eyes peeled for are the Senior Citizens Day giveaways at the Wish Farms Soundstage at 11:45 a.m. on the mornings of the Senior Days. The drawing will immediately follow the 10:30 a.m. show at the stage and the seniors in attendance will have tickets placed in a barrel. One lucky winner will walk away with a prize.
The first day of the festival is also the AT&T Ride-A-Thon Day. Wrist bands purchased at the Midway today are $20 and will allow the wearer to ride almost all the rides. However, on this day from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. those with a voucher from participating AT&T stores will receive $3 off $20 wristband at any Midway booth and ride all day for only $17. Check out flstrawberryfestival.com for a list of participating stores. Vouchers will be available at the locations from Feb.1 to March 7. You can also enjoy one free Polar Pop from Circle K with any Midway wristband purchase during any day of the festival. The vouchers can be picked up at the Midway booths.
Friday, March 1
March 1 is the Publix Food and Fun Friday. If you show up to the entry gate with three Publix or Publix GreenWise brand non-perishable items you will receive a Florida Strawberry Festival Commemorative “The Best Fest Reuseable Bag” or a voucher for $5 off the $30 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $25. Check out flstrawberryfestival.com for a list of participating stores.
Saturday, March 2
March 2 will be one of the most chaotic days of the festival as it is Free Kids Day. Any child through high school age is admitted to the festival for free. They simply have to stop by a ticket booth and receive a complimentary voucher.
Part of the youth centered festivities is the beloved Youth Parade, which begins at 11 a.m. and runs from the State Farmers Market down Reynolds Street to the South end of the festival.
Circle K is also sponsoring a Super Saturday Wristband Day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. A wrist band purchased at the Midway for $30 will entitle the wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price.
Sunday, March 3
Sunday is Coca-Cola Family Day, which means if you bring an empty Coca-Cola brand can or plastic bottle to the entry gate you will receive a voucher for $5 off the $25 wristband and thus can ride all day for only $20. The can or bottle is not valid for gate admission and you can only bring one can per person.
Monday, March 4
Monday is always a strange day at the festival. Much of the town is out on the streets of Plant City awaiting the Grand Parade, which begins at 1 p.m. and will pass by the Festival at approximately 2 p.m. The parade starts downtown at Evers and Renfro street and heads North through downtown Plant City and then West towards the Festival grounds on Reynolds Street. If you’ve never been bring a folding chair and enjoy the marching bands, local politicians, FFA chapters, churches, businesses, dance groups and more.
Though most festival-goers focus on the grand parade today there is also another Ride-A-Thon Day, which means Midway wristbands will be $20.
Tuesday, March 5
March 5 is the Breyers Home School TWOSDAY from 12 p.m until 11 p.m. at the festival. All children up to age 17 are admitted to the festival free with a paid adult ticket. Any single ride tickets are on sale for $2.
Those who wish for more than just one or two rides can participate in another Ride-A-Thon Day, where Midway wristbands will be $20.
Wednesday, March 6
The Festival always has a day to support the troops. This year that honor falls on March 6 and any active, reserve and retired military and military veterans along with Law Enforcement and First Responders (EMS & Fire Fighters) will be admitted free all day with a valid ID.
Wednesday will also feature a Ride-A-Thon Day, which means Midway wristbands will be $20.
Thursday, March 7
Seniors have their last chance at the Florida Blue Senior Citizens Day. Once again any attendee 60 years old or older will get $2 off the $10 gate admission and the first 250 Florida Blue Medicare Members to enter the Strawberry Festival will receive free entry compliments of Florida Blue. Show your Member ID card at the gate to receive free entry. The Senior Citizens Day Prize will also be once again at 11:45 at the Wish Farms Soundstage.
The same day will also feature an AT&T Parts Ride-A-Thon Day from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. where Midway wristbands will be $3 off the $20 tickets with a voucher from participating AT&T stores. Present the voucher to the Midway ticket booth to get a $17 wristband. AT&T stores will receive $3 off $20 wristband at any Midway booth and ride all day for only $17. Check out flstrawberryfestival.com for a list of participating stores.
Friday, March 8
March 8 is the Tampa Bay Times Day on the Midway. From 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. present a coupon from the Tampa Bay Times and get $5 off the $20 Fun Pack Ride Coupon Book. The coupon will be available in The Tampa Bay Times and on www.tampabay.com on Sunday, March 3 and Friday, March 8. Coupon must be printed in hardcopy. Electronic version of coupons will not be accepted.
Friday will be filled with excited patrons all night as the festival hosts its annual Moonlight Magic Night from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For $25 a person you can ride most of the rides on the Midway all night long.
Saturday, March 9
Since the festival is all about supporting local agriculture Saturday is Farm Worker Appreciation Day. Farmworkers will receive free admission with a voucher from Astin Farms.
Circle K is hosting another Super Saturday Wristband Day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wristbands can be purchased at the Midway for $30.
Sunday, March 10
The Festival will wrap up with a Coca-Cola Family Day where you can once again bring an empty Coke can or plastic bottle to the entry gate to receive a voucher for $5 off the $25 wristband and ride all day for only $20. The can or bottle is not valid for gate admission. Only one can per person.
Check your calendar and make sure you have the necessary items to take advantage of the berry sweet deals provided by the Florida Strawberry Festival. With a little planning you can stretch your dollar and use the extra cash to buy that giant shortcake you’ve had your eye on all day.