PLANT CITY, FL (WFLA) – The Florida Strawberry Festival kicks off Thursday morning! The 81st annual event draws big musical acts, tons of games, rides, entertainment, and of course millions of sweet strawberries.

This year’s festival “Royal Fun for Everyone!” runs from March 3-13 at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds in Plant City.

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Gates open Thursday at 10 a.m. and the Midway opens at noon. Opening Day is also Florida Blue Senior Citizens Day, in which visitors age 60+ can get $2 off regular admission of $10.

O’Reilly Auto Parts Ride-A-Thon goes from noon-11:00 p.m. Visitors can pick up a voucher from participating O’Reilly Auto Parts stores through March 10th to receive $3 off a $20 wristband at the Midway to go on most mechanical rides.

Kicking off the Strawberry Festival concert line-up Thursday are performances by Charley Pride at 3:30 p.m. and Josh Turner at 7:30 p.m. at the Wish Farms Soundstage.

The festival runs daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Midway opens at noon on Thursday, March 3, Friday, March 4, Tuesday, March 8, Wednesday, March 9, Thursday March 10 and Friday, March 11. The Midway opens at 10 a.m. on weekends and on Monday, March 7.

Regular admission at the gate is $10 for adults age 13 and over, $5 for children ages 6-12, and children under 5 are free.

Discount admission tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children are available at many Publix stores and online here. Tickets can be purchased from January 28 – March 13 at these Publix stores throughout Tampa Bay.

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Get all the information on Florida Strawberry Festival including a full schedule of events online here.THE STORIES OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON: