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The Strawberry Festival opens today in Plant City with Alabama, Oak Ridge Boys, and viral Dubai chocolate treats. This 91st annual celebration runs through March 8, featuring world-class entertainment, strawberry shortcake, and trendy food innovations. Here’s what to expect on opening day and beyond.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Dates: February 26 through March 8, 2026, in Plant City, Florida
- Opening Day Lineup: Jimmy Sturr (10:30 a.m., free), Oak Ridge Boys (3:30 p.m., $40), Alabama (7:30 p.m., $65)
- Dubai Treats: Strawberry Dubai funnel cake, chocolate cups with pistachio cream, and chocolate truffles trending now
- Admission: $15 adults, $5 children ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and under
Country Music Legends Take the Stage
Alabama headlines tonight at 7:30 p.m., bringing 43 number-one singles and 80 million albums sold to the Wish Farms Soundstage. The legendary country act continues their 50th anniversary celebration with timeless hits like “Dixieland Delight” and “Roll On”.
The Oak Ridge Boys perform earlier at 3:30 p.m., delivering their signature four-part harmonies that earned them Grammy, CMA, and ACM awards. The group has charted more than 30 top-ten hits, including the iconic “Elvira”.
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Opening Day Schedule and Entertainment Details
Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra kicks off festivities at 10:30 a.m. with free admission included with gate entry, offering polka music that earned 18 Grammy awards. The 11-day festival continues with Riley Green (Sunday), Lauren Daigle (Tuesday), Dierks Bentley (Thursday), and The Offspring (Saturday).
| Performance | Time | Ticket Price |
| Jimmy Sturr & Orchestra | 10:30 a.m. | FREE with admission |
| The Oak Ridge Boys | 3:30 p.m. | $40 |
| Alabama | 7:30 p.m. | $65 |
Festival grounds open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the SUN ‘n FUN Kiddie Korral operating throughout. Weekday hours adjust to noon to 11 p.m. for some attractions.
Dubai Chocolate Sensation and Food Favorites
The viral Dubai chocolate trend arrives full force this year. Best Around Concessions features the Strawberry Dubai Funnel Cake with fresh strawberries, rich chocolate, pistachio cream, and crunchy textures. Super Crunch offers Dubai Strawberry Chocolate Cups combining fresh fruit, creamy pistachio butter, and toasted kataifi.
The world-famous St. Clement strawberry shortcake booth lets guests “Make Your Own” creations inside the Parke Exhibit Building. New items include strawberry BBQ eggrolls, strawberry crunch nachos, and strawberry campfire crunch melts throughout festival grounds.
Fresh Parkesdale Farms and Wish Farms strawberries are available for purchase, alongside multiple shortcake booths offering traditional recipes. Pelican’s Snoballs adds strawberry shortcake snoball options for cooling down.
Free Entertainment and Family Attractions
Robinson’s Racing Pigs perform eight daily shows, delighting families at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m. K9s in Flight showcases acrobatic dogs at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6 p.m. The Berry Big Wheel celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with rides available all day.
Granpa Cratchet puppet shows run hourly, while Rannels Rustic Wood Carving Show demonstrates traditional craftsmanship. Gizmo D Robot and Runa Pacha performers engage guests throughout festival hours.
Livestock shows run daily across the Grimes Family Agriculture Center, featuring poultry, rabbits, dairy animals, swine, lambs, steers, and beef breeds. Youth competitors showcase animals they’ve raised for months or years.
What Makes This Year’s Festival Different?
Admission pricing ranges from $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, with discounted $10 adult tickets available at Publix stores. Senior citizens receive $10 admission on Thursdays (February 26 and March 5). Special Smiles Day (February 27) welcomes individuals with special needs and companions free from 9 a.m. to noon.
Parking costs $10 per vehicle across 11 festival lots managed by churches and nonprofits. The T-Mobile tram provides free transportation from Red parking lot to festival gates. Commercial independent lots offer additional parking options around festival grounds.
Will you make the trip to Plant City today for opening day excitement?
With legendary performers, trending food innovations, and family-friendly entertainment, the 2026 Strawberry Festival promises 11 days of celebration. Arrive early to enjoy free morning entertainment, capture Instagram-worthy Dubai treats, and experience Florida’s oldest agricultural tradition.
Visit flstrawberryfestival.com for complete entertainment lineup details, ticket information, and downloadable mobile app features.
Sources
- Florida Strawberry Festival Official Website – Complete entertainment lineup, ticket pricing, and festival details for 2026
- Bay News 9 – Comprehensive guide including food options, special days, parking information, and agricultural shows
- Spectrum News – Opening day coverage, headline entertainment announcements, and Dubai food trend details
