We made it to the Strawberry Festival this year.
Plant City, Florida is the winter strawberry capital of the world or some such importance. I grew up in this area and have attended the festival since I was a wee babe. It is basically a glorified county or state fair with a midway, fried foods galore and hometown booths with crafters, livestock and exhibits.
Eating a strawberry shortcake is a must and the St. Clements Catholic church's build your own shortcake is our favorite. You can choose a cake or biscuit base and load it up to your liking (extra whipped topping as you can see).
Adam's personal favorite is the Fiske french fries with salt and generous dousings of malt vinegar. I admit they are very tasty. No other french fry out there quite like it.
I am an elephant ear or funnel cake gal but I didn't get any this time. Maybe next year.
We found tons of cool things to browse. I ended up buying a clay wind chime with some birds nesting in it. Scarlette bought a wooden ring toss game. Savanna picked up a Native American beaded bracelet (you can see it in the self serve shortcake photo). My sister Darby got the cutest miniature Mexican house diorama wall hanging.
I love browsing all the artisan and crafted goods.
Scarlette loves playing the carnival games.
Darby, Savanna and I rode the Tomb of Doom, screaming, cackling and sweating bullets the whole time. I swear they made it as hot as Hades in there to mimic the actual place. But it was fun.
I was pretty impressed with the artwork on this ride.
Scarlette was successful on the midway at the water gun race.
It was a nice morning of walking around and taking in the sights, sounds, scents and flavors of the Strawberry Festival. Do you have any agriculture based festivals near you? Do you enjoy the state or county fairs?
How fun! And what lovely memories to make <3 Now I need some strawberry shortcake! Whipped cream is my favorite thing, and that looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt was a really nice morning! I am right there with you! Shortcake and pumpkin pie require loads of whipped cream. <3
DeleteFun! That clown head is terrifying :D The haunted house ride at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is always insanely hot too--these rides must have zero ventilation.
ReplyDeleteHahahahaa! It truly is. I think Scarlette mentioned how creepy it was and drew my attention to it. It must be!!! It was like a metal tin can soaking up all that heat radiating from the sun. Luckily, it was a short ride.
DeleteI adore my diaorama! I really loved going with you guys. I cant believe that was our first time going together! We must make it a tradition. 💕
ReplyDeleteYay! I almost got the green one but held back. If it is meant to be there will be one next year. I guess I had not realized we have not gone to the festival together before.... so glad we did! It will be a good excuse to come back to Plant City.
DeleteYum! No agricultural mecca up here, except for pumpkin season. I should look into something summery, because the county fair is overpriced, overcrowded and tired. The blue skies in these shots are invoking some serious spring fever, but it may get up to 50 degrees here today, so I shan't complain:)
ReplyDeletePumpkins are fun! Hopefully you can squirrel out something fun in the summer. It has been nice weather as of late but definitely getting hotter and hotter. If I had a pool it would have been dipped in by now. <3
DeleteOh, this is so charming! I grew up in a small farming community, and our church always put on a strawberry social in the summer - in the gymnasium at my elementary school, and you'd better believe it was THE social event of the year. I was a waitress one year at the social, although I like this build-your-own trend very much in this instance; I'd be all over that strawberry sauce.
ReplyDeleteAlso, please do tell me more about these french fries. Are they "just" regular french fry stand fries, or is there something more to them that I must know about? Very interested in fried potato products over here, clearly! I hate vinegar of all descriptions on my fries, though - everything gets too mushy. Gravy on my fries? Totally different story. And don't even get me started on fries dipped in mayo - snack food of the tubby gods.
It is fun!!! I forget that I actually do live in a rural location despite being between Tampa and Orlando. A strawberry social sounds so cute!! And yes, that strawberry sauce is the best part by far.
DeleteOk. So the fries. They are freaking amazing. They are long and semi-slender (not as skinny as shoestring and not as fat as McDonalds. They are cooked in peanut oil it tastes like). They get a nice dark golden brown. Both crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle. They aren't cottony or dry in texture but more firm and chewy, so good. So so dang good. Add the salt and malt vinegar and they approacheth nirvana. Side note- I do dip my fries in a loose mixture of mayo and ketchup. Never had gravy on my fries though.