Growing up in Brandon, FL. I was only a few miles away from Plant City, FL. If anyone out there is familiar with Plant City, FL you will know that every year in February the Florida Strawberry Festival rolls through. Trust me, this is a BIG deal. ;-) Midway games and rides, fantastic concerts, agriculture exhibits, arts, crafts, and most importantly…STRAWBERRIES. Strawberry pies, strawberry milkshakes, chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry jam, light up strawberry earrings, strawberry tea, and my favorite, make your own strawberry shortcakes. Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around the Strawberry Festival. I marched in the parade a few times, watched friends be crowned Strawberry princessess or Queens, held hands with a boyfriend on the midway rides, watched some really great concerts (the one that is standing out to me now is Billy Ray Cyrus in the height of “Achy Breaky’s” popularity…) and made memories that will last the rest of my life. Mom and I decided to visit some friends a few weekends ago back in Tampa and we planned our trip around the opening of the Festival. We had such a good time reliving memories so I thought I would share a little of those memories with all of you!
Festivals…the only place you can get gallon jugs of lemonade, chocolate “dipt” bacon, and cheese on a stick…I just stick to the Strawberries.
The Southern girl in me loves to watch the baby cows get “shown”, this sweet baby cow reminded me of our puppy Annabelle, whose legs seem about this long right about now. 
The child photographer in me couldn’t resist the next few, so what if their parents probably thought I was a crazy lady…
Last but not least, Make Your Own Shortcakes :-)
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