By Raurie Laliberte
TAMPA, Fla. — In 2025, the Strawberry Festival runs from Feb. 27 to March 9. The official festival website describes this event as a “piece of Americana” that brings communities together.
“The overall atmosphere of the event was inviting and social,” said Ella McCasland, a senior at The University of Tampa, who attended the event for the first time this year.
“There was quite a diverse crowd in terms of race, ethnicity, and age, and being a part of an event that brought all these people together was exciting,” said McCasland.
This event is the heart of the Tampa Bay Area, and the draw for many is the music scene. This year, the concert portion of the festival included artists like Reba McEntire, Lauren Daigle, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The festival also features local artists like Darrell Sikes, a part of the Darrell Sikes band.
“Since I was a kid, I have been going to the Strawberry Festival, and every year, I say I would play there, and this year was a long-time dream come true. It was an experience I will treasure forever,” said Sikes.
“Getting to share the stage with my goddaughter as Jr. Royalty Baroness,” said Sikes about his favorite part of the event. “The crowd singing back to me was something I’ve always wanted; it was pretty cool!”
Sikes encourages anyone interested in his music to listen to “I’m Country,” a song he wrote about a friend who passed away recently from fentanyl.
“We wrote this song about me and what I am about, living and breathing the country life,” said Sikes.
Sikes’ answers exemplify the community the Strawberry Festival has created and the importance of these events for the Tampa Bay area. Without an outlet like the Strawberry Festival, much of the local music scene goes unheard.
The festival encompasses much of what makes the Tampa Bay Area great, from the delicious strawberry snacks to its music and its dedication to “preserve and enhance the agricultural and historical legacy of the Florida strawberry.” The Strawberry Festival has it all and is still running until March 9.
The Strawberry Festival happens annually, typically between February and March. The tickets for the concert portion of the event come out months in advance, around November. If you want a chance to support local and see artists like Darrell Sikes, you can purchase tickets to the Strawberry Festival through the official website, flstrawberryfestival.com.
Events like the Strawberry Festival connect us as a community, and locals like Sikes get their full circle moment on its stage. Remember to support local businesses and attend events put on by your community.
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Photo courtesy of Dakotah Sikes.