American Heroes Day and Tribute at Florida Strawberry Festival (March 7)

Today, March 7, is American Heroes Day at the 2012 Florida Strawberry Festival, featuring as well the Youth Steer Show and a corndog eating contest.

Purchase a wristband for $19 at the midway and ride most mechanical rides from 3-11 p.m. for this discounted price.

Started in 1930 by the Plant City Alliance Club, the festival is in its 77th year, having taken a hiatus during World War II, according to Al Berry, a long-time volunteer and festival board member.

This year's theme: "Growing Sweet Memories."

Festival officials expect some 500,000 visitors to the fairgrounds, at 303 N. Lemon St.

Leading up to and over the course of the festival, some 7,000 kids compete in various contests, including the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen Pageant, speaking contests and agriculture shows involving steers, pigs and plants.

Ten Things To Know Today (March 7):

1. Festival gates open at 10 a.m.; the midway, at noon.
2. General admission is $10 for patrons ages 13 and up. Children ages 5 and under admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. Children ages 6-12 require a $5 youth ticket. Limited stadium seats are free for all shows with general admission. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Stadium shows are 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. daily, and the stadium is cleared after the 3:30 p.m. show. Reserved seating available at the Amscot Main Ticket Gate, 2209 West Oak Ave. Remaining reserved-seat tickets will be sold at the ticket office adjacent to the east-side bleachers. Concert tickets do not include gate admission; ages 3 and up require a ticket.
3. All active, reserve, retired military, veterans, law enforcement and first responders are admitted free with valid ID. American Heroes Day is sponsored by FOX 13 Care*Force.
4. Honor American Heroes is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. at the Wish Farms Soundstage.
5. Ride-A-Thon is from 3-11 p.m., which means the purchase of a discounted $19 wristband entitles the wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price.
6. The Superdog Corndog Eating Contest is 1 p.m. at the Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent.
7. Poultry and rabbit shows, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the CF Industries Agriculture Tent.
8. Lee Greenwood and Louise Mandrell takes to the Wish Farms Soundstage at 3:30 p.m. (See stadium/concert pricing above.)
9. The Youth Steer Show starts 6 p.m. at the Patterson Co. Livestock Arena.
10. The Band Perry is set to perform 7:30 p.m. on the Wish Farms Soundstage. (See stadium/concert pricing above.)

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