Orlando Berry Basket
Where and when
The Florida Strawberry Festival is held in Plant City, in Florida's strawberry growing region — about 25 miles east of Tampa and about 60 miles west of Orlando on Interstate 4. The grounds are often listed at 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City, FL 33563 (confirm on the official site before you drive).
The next dated run from public sources is March 4–14, 2027, the 92nd festival, with the theme "A Timeless Tradition". (The 2026 run was February 26–March 8.)
Why Plant City from Orlando
Central Florida strawberries are a winter crop. Plant City sits in the heart of that commercial belt. From Orlando, the festival is a straight I-4 west run — roughly an hour depending on traffic — so a day trip is normal for yards that grow Hull's crop at home and still want the fairgrounds shortcake.
Florida Rambler cited prior-year attendance around 573,000 for the 2026 festival; treat that as a crowd-size hint, not a forecast. Expect busy weekends, paid parking near the gates, and midways that run late.
What you will find
- Strawberry shortcake and berry foods (the festival's signature draw)
- Concerts, livestock shows, rides, and agriculture exhibits
- A celebration of the winter strawberry harvest that also feeds the wider Central Florida berry story on this site
Blueberries and other berries share this welcome at home, but the fairgrounds event is strawberry-first — same as Hull.
How to go (corridor sketch)
From Orlando: I-4 west toward Tampa; use the Plant City exits commonly listed for the festival (Park Road / Alexander Street area — verify the current official map). From Tampa: I-4 east about 25 miles. Always check flstrawberryfestival.com for gate hours, tickets, and the public map before you leave.
Sources
- Florida Strawberry Festival (official)
- Florida Rambler — Florida Strawberry Festival (corridor distances; 2027 dates; prior attendance note)
- WUSF — 2026 festival overview