Florida Strawberry Festival 2015: What You Need to Know

Tampa Bay area residents who just couldn’t get enough of the Florida State Fair’s midway can look to the east to find more high-flying excitement mixed with a whole lot of downhome fun.

The gates opened at the Florida Strawberry Festival Thursday with this year’s run planned to last through March 8.

Festival-goers will find all the same great attractions that have made the Plant City event a mainstay in the region: rides, games, contests and music – lots of music.

Here are a few things to know before you head out to the 303 N. Lemon St. festival grounds:

Days and Hours

The gates open at 10 a.m. daily Thursday through March 8 with nightly closing at 10 p.m.

Midway Hours

The midway opens at noon on Feb. 26 and March 3-6. It opens at 10 a.m. on weekends and on Monday, March 2. Midway closing hours depend on the day with special “Moonlight Magic” hours offered on select weekend nights that deliver rides until 2 a.m.

Regular Admission

The cost for adults is $10 and children ages 6 to 12 are $5, according to the festival’s website. Children age 5 and under are free. The price of admission does not include midway wristbands, which allow for unlimited rides. Wristbands run about $25, but the are special promotions that drop the price to $20. Check the midway calendar for more details.

Discounts

Online discount ticket sales have closed, but participating Publix stores are offering discount gate admission tickets through March 8. The price of discount tickets is $8 for those 13 and up and $4 for children ages 6 to 12. A full list of participating stores is available by clicking here.

Special Days

The festival has a number of special days planned, including “Moonlight Magic” on the midway when rides stay open until 2 a.m. Special discounts are also available on select days.

For a complete lineup of planned promotions, visit the festival’s website.

Music and Special Events

The festival packs in a host of special events and musical performances throughout its run. For a complete lineup of shows and attractions, check out the festival online.

Headline entertainers this year include Mel Tillis, Brett Eldredge, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Parmalee and REBA.

For more information about the festival, visit its website.

Image from the Florida Strawberry Festival’s Facebook page

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