Strawberry shortcake, strawberry shakes, strawberry sundaes, strawberry cobbler, strawberry ice cream, chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry cookies, fresh strawberry lemonade, fresh local strawberries by the flat… if strawberries were their own state, the Florida Strawberry Festival, which opened this past Thursday and continues through March 8th, would be its state fair. First held in 1930, the festival celebrates the more than 5000 acres of strawberries grown in the Plant City region.

The Deep Fried Strawberry Burger, available at the festival: first the burger is cooked on a griddle. Then it's dipped in strawberry batter and deep fried. It's placed on a bun and topped with bacon, strawberries, and strawberry glaze. Yikes!

The Deep Fried Strawberry Burger, available at the festival: first the burger is cooked on a griddle. Then it’s dipped in strawberry batter and deep-fried. It’s placed on a bun and topped with bacon, strawberries, and strawberry glaze. Yikes!

In addition to sampling all things strawberry, you’ll also enjoy a huge lineup of classic country music artists, including Alabama, Mel Tillis, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs, the Oak Ridge Boys, Loretta Lynn, and Reba.

Strawberries and cream-filled donut

Strawberries and cream-filled donut

There’s a midway, a kiddie area, and The Neighborhood Village, where the homemade and handcrafted items of local folks are judged and displayed. Regular ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for kids (parking is $5), but discounts abound. For more information, see the festival website.