Music and strawberries abound at Florida Strawberry Fest

The 75th annual Florida Strawberry Festival isn’t just about strawberries.

It’s also about strawberry shortcake and music.

The 11-day event kicks off today in nearby Hillsborough County’s Plant City.

The county has more than 5,000 acres of strawberries planted annually in the area, and for 75 years, the strawberry season celebration has been one of the best of its kind in the country.

A favorite attraction at the festival is the Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest, set for 3 p.m. March 11. Ten contestants will be chosen at random from a drawing. They will have 10 minutes to devour four pounds of strawberry shortcake, topped with whipped cream. The winner will receive a special trophy.

Music is also a big draw to the strawberry fest. This year’s lineup features a mix of country, Christian, contemporary and rock.

Here’s the headliner schedule:

Today

4 p.m. Roy Clark; $10 and $15

7:30 p.m. Billy Currington; $15 and $20

Friday

3:30 p.m. Bobby Bare; $10 and $15

7:30 p.m. Julianne Hough; $10 and $15

Saturday

1 p.m. Suite Caroline; free

3:30 p.m. Switchfoot; $15 and $20

7:30 p.m. Michael W. Smith; $15 and $20

Sunday

3:30 p.m. Heidi Newfield; $10 and $15

7:30 p.m. Darius Rucker; $20 and $25

Monday

3:30 p.m. Mel Tillis; $10 and $15

7:30 p.m. Bill Engvall; $20 and $25

Tuesday

3:30 p.m. Debbie Reynolds; $10 and $15

7:30 p.m. Josh Turner; $15 and $20

Wednesday

3:30 p.m. Aaron Tippin; $10 and $15

7:30 p.m. Bill Medley and Sam Moore; $15 and $20

March 11

3:30 p.m. The Oak Ridge Boys; $10 and $15

7:30 p.m. REO Speedwagon; $15 and $20

March 12

3:30 p.m. The Smothers Brothers; $10 and $15

7:30 p.m. Tracy Lawrence; $10 and $15

March 13

3:30 p.m. Clay Walker and Lee Brice; $10 and $15

7:30 p.m. Patty Loveless; $10 and $15

March 14

3:30 p.m. Sara Evans; $15 and $20

7:30 p.m. Lynyrd Skynyrd; $25 and $30

Find the festival at 2202 W. Reynolds St., Plant City. Tickets can be bought at www. flstrawberryfestival.com or by calling (813) 754-1996.