Description

The Floral City Strawberry Festival, a beloved tradition in Citrus County, is back for its 38th year of berry-filled fun and excitement. Presented by Coast to Coast Heating & Air Conditioning and produced by the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, this year's festival promises a weekend overflowing with strawberries, entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Mark your calendars for March 1st & 2nd, 2025, and join us at Floral Park for a celebration of local agriculture and community spirit.

With fresh strawberries hand-picked right around the corner from the festival at Ferris Groves, you can look forward to luscious strawberry shortcakes along with flats and half-flats of whole fresh berries that you can take home with you as a sweet souvenir of your day to make your own delectable treats. Not sure what to do with them all? Check out our Berry Bakery on our website at www.GoStrawberryFest.com.

Saturday morning, the festival opens with the Posting of the Colors, the Pledge of Allegiance and our National Anthem.  Live music and entertainment will fill the main stage all weekend with a full performance lineup! Stay up to date on all our very berry entertainment with the event calendar on our website!

Additionally, take your time on Saturday, March 1^st, to explore the roots of our beautiful community with a tour of the Historic Duval-Metz House.  The oldest documented home in Citrus County still standing, the Duval-Metz House will be open SATURDAY ONLY during from 9am – 4pm. Quick shuttles will transport you from the festival grounds to the heart of Floral City where you can view this historic destination and explore the quaint town offering a true taste of old Florida.

Sticking to its very berry American roots, the annual pie-eating contests and princess pageants will be back as well! Ooh and ahh on Saturday morning as poised young ladies take the stage in their favorite strawberry-themed attire for a chance to earn a crown and become the next Miss & Little Miss Strawberry Princesses. Maybe getting messy is more your style?  Then sign up to compete in the strawberry pie-eating contests for your shot at a year’s worth of bragging rights! Pie eating competitions are free to enter and will be held at 1 P.M. both Saturday and Sunday with registration that day at the festival. There are limited slots so make sure you get signed up early!

We are also excited to welcome back last year’s fan favorite, the Soccer Collies! Kids of all ages (and even adults) won’t want to miss this fun and exciting free attraction as the Collies take on festival attendees once an hour beginning at 9:45 a.m. Participants will line up in a circle around the trained dogs as they use their skills to score “goals”, pushing the ball outside of the human goalie line. Think you have what it takes to take on the Soccer Collies? Join us to find out!

Round out your festival adventures by strolling the park and browsing over 250 art and craft vendors. Indulge in a cold beer, a glass of wine or hard seltzer at the beer garden near the main stage; enjoy the gastronomic pleasures offered by the many food vendors; or share in laughs and smiles with the young ones as they “play themselves silly” in the kids’ area.

Floral City Strawberry Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.  Entrance fee is $5.00 for adults, children 12 and under are free.  Park free at the Citrus County Auditorium (3610 S. Florida Ave, Inverness, Fl) and take a free shuttle to the festival location. Please be advised, parking at the festival grounds is extremely limited and not recommended during festival hours to ensure the safety of all involved.

For complete information on the Floral City Strawberry Festival, visit www.GoStrawberryFest.com.  On Facebook, search for “Floral City Strawberry Festival.”

Floral City Strawberry Festival at a Glance

When: Saturday, March 1, 9 am – 5 pm, and Sunday, March 2, 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Floral Park, 9530 S. Parkside Avenue, Floral City – 3 miles south of downtown Floral City on US Hwy 41
Cost: Festival Admission is $5 per adult, children 12 and under are free
Parking: The Citrus County Auditorium located at 3610 S. Florida Ave, Inverness. Free shuttle buses will be running for the entirety of the event, both days. Please be advised, parking at the festival is extremely limited and not recommended during festival hours to ensure the safety of all involved.
Website: www.GoStrawberryFest.com
Facebook: Search for “Floral City Strawberry Festival”
Phone: 352-795-3149