Farm Worker Appreciation Day, Baby Parade at Florida Strawberry Festival (March 10)

Today, March 10, is Farm Worker Appreciation Day at the Florida Strawberry Festival, with a Baby Parade scheduled as well.

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.

Seven Things To Know Today (March 10):

1. Festival gates and midway open at 10 a.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 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. Today is Farm Worker Appreciation Day, sponsored by Wish Farms. Farm Workers have been asked to ask their farm managers for free admission tickets.
4. The Baby Parade, at the stadium, kicksoff at 10:15 a.m.
5. It's an Allstar Weekend at the Wish Farms Soundstage, set to start at 3:30 p.m.
6. The Youth Steer Sale is 7 p.m. at the Patterson Co. Livestock Arena.
7. The Rev. Art Johnson and the Bible-Based Fellowship Church Cathedral Choir are scheduled for 7:30-10 p.m. at the Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent.
8. On stage, at the Wish Farms Soundstage, Rodney Atkins, at 7:30 p.m.

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