Grand Parade, Ride-A-Thon Discount at Florida Strawberry Festival (March 5)

Today, March 5, is Grand Parade and Ride-A-Thon day at the 2012 Florida Strawberry Festival.

Purchase a wristband for $19 at the midway and ride most mechanicl rides all day 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.

Nine Things To Know Today (March 5):

1. Festival gates and midway open at 10 a.m., close at 10 p.m.
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 agest 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 Aven. 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. Today is Ride-A-Thon Day, which means the purchase of a discounted $19 wristband entitles the wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price.
4. Poultry and rabbit shows, from 10 a.m. to close, at the CF Industries Agriculture Tent.
5. The Grand Parade throughout the streets of downtown Plant City kicks off at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., the parade is scheduled to pass by the festival fairgrounds.
6. Grand Parade Day is sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps.
7. Felix Cavaliere's Rascals takes to the Wish Farms Soundstage at 3:30 p.m. (See stadium/concert pricing above.)
8. The Lamb Judging Contest starts 5 p.m. at the CF Industrials Agriculture Tent. The Lamb Show, in she same location, starts an hour later. Lamb contests are sponsored by Sunbelt Rentals.
9. Josh Turner is set to perform 7:30 p.m. on the Wish Farms Soundstage. , (See stadium/concert pricing above.)

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• Strawberry Queen Creates Season's Favorites at Original Leena's Chocolates
• Kid's Day at the 2012 Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City