Midway Discount, 'Moonlight Magic' at Florida Strawberry Festival (March 9)

Today, March 9, holds special promise for midway lovers at the Florida Strawberry Festival, featuring discount pricing during regular hours and an after-hours admission for "Moonlight Magic."

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.

Nine Things To Know Today (March 9):

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. The Tampa Tribune Day on the Midway takes place today, with a $2 discount off the regularly priced $20 Fun Pack Ride Coupon Book. The disount is good from noon to 10 p.m.
4. Moonlight Magic kicks off at 11 p.m. and runs through 3 a.m. Purchase of a $20 wristband is required. All patrons entering the fairgrounds are subject to search.
5. The Livestock Contestant Judging is frmo 3-5 p.m. at the Patterson Co. Livestock Arena.
6. Set to perform starting at 3:30 p.m. on the Wish Farms Soundstage are Cornell Gunter's Coasters, Bobby Hendrick's Drifters and The Platters. (See stadium/concert pricing above.)
7. At 6 p.m. is the Showmanship Judging - Beef Breed, at the C.F. Industries Agriculture Tent.
8. TobyMac is set to perform 7:30 p.m. on the Wish Farms Soundstage. (See stadium/concert pricing above.)
9. Makenzie Raye will be at the Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

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