Brownwood Strawberry Festival

[Madelaine Amee]

If you were there, what did you think of it? Looks great from The Sun write up.

[My Daily Run]

I thought it was wonderful...everything was wonderful...where can you get all of this on a Tuesday afternoon...I even went to the movies and then continued to enjoy the festivities !!!

[bkcunningham1]

That's what my husband said, @My Daily Run. We went Tuesday afternoon and it was packed. There were a few different vendors too. We walked around and played a few of the carnival games and had a blast...on a Tuesday afternoon.

Another thing we noticed though was the amount of golf cart traffic in the new developments. Shocking to see a solid line of carts on the paths when just a few months ago there were none.

[spk7951]

Overall not bad but certainly not without issues that I hope will be addressed for the next time. I do not think they expected the crowds that they did get which can be a good thing. Could not get strawberry shortcake or pie and we got there around 1:30pm. But that was after waiting about 20 minutes because my wife wanted to try a strawberry daiquiri. Do not misunderstand that as a complaint but only two bar tenders on duty does not seem to make sense to me. Traffic and parking were horrendous. Perhaps as building construction gets done the parking will be better. Traffic was so bad back at the Gilchrist gate that Community Watch had to send folks out to move the traffic better. But probably would go back again but a bit earlier in the day.

[gocubsgo]

We came around the corner onto Buena Vista on our cart and they were lined up all the way to 466A !!!!

I came home and made Strawberry Shortcake in my kitchen...

[gatherer47]

I don't understand why one of the drink stands wasn't open.With the long lines and all the people,it would have certainly helped the thirsty.I just wanted a soft drink so I went into the movie theater and got a Coke.No lines,no fuss,no muss.The featival itself was great especially for me the clowns.

[rubicon]

Crowded lack of product no parking...can't wait for next year festival:cryin2:

[Skip]

Just what we need more of - gaudy carnival games, huge lines for food and little parking.

It was a nightmare!

Skip

[justjim]

Nice day----First Strawberry Festival at Brownwood----crowded----parking problems-----delays----- but still a good time!

[cquick]

my friends said there were only 3 food vendors for thousands of hungry festival goers......that doesn't make any sense at all.

[gemorc]

A flat of strawberries for $15.00, I can't believe it. My wife and I went to the National Strawberrry Festival, in Plant City, yesterday. A flat cost $10.95 in the fairgrounds. Booths surrounding the festival sold berries at $10.00 a flat. Driving home, in booths and stores outside the center of town, you could buy a flat for $6.00.

[villagerjack]

It was hugely successful for the vendors. A little crowded? Perhaps but it was a great day and next year it will be better. On to Golf Fest and then St Paddys next week. Where else can you get this stuff? Enjoy yourself, it is later than you think. Perfection is in the next life, if you play your cards right!!! :)

[villagerjack]

Our HAPPENING was much closer.

Bing Maps - Driving Directions, Traffic and Road Conditions (http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?rtp=adr.~pos.28.015770_-82.144012_303+Lemon+St+Plant+City%2c+FL+33563_Flor ida+Strawberry+Festival_(813)%20752-9194&where1=303+Lemon+St+Plant+City%2c+FL+33563&FORM=LLDP#Y3A9MjguMDE1Nzcwfi04Mi4xNDQwMTImbHZsPTE2 JnN0eT1yJnJ0cD1wb3MuMjguOTIyNzc3Xy04MS45OTY4OTVfMz IxNjIlMkMlMjBGTF9fX2VffnBvcy4yOC4wMTU3NzBfLTgyLjE0 NDAxMl8zMDMlMjBMZW1vbiUyMFN0JTIwUGxhbnQlMjBDaXR5JT JDJTIwRkwlMjAzMzU2M19GbG9yaWRhJTIwU3RyYXdiZXJyeSUy MEZlc3RpdmFsXyg4MTMpJTIwNzUyLTkxOTRfZV8mbW9kZT1EJn J0b3A9MH4wfjB+)


And FREE

http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com/2013_gate_ticket_prices.pdf

[John_W]

We arrived about 1pm, entering from route 44 by the cattle statues into the south parking lots. We drove through the entire south parking area and never found a parking space. There was probably a dozen more cars like us, and I only saw two get a spot, one was a car that actually came in from the other direction and jumped into the spot I was going. We crossed the main street east of the sales office into the north parking lot and had same outcome. Could not find a spot. We saw some open spaces in a grassy area that many people were using for a parking lot. It appeared we would have to drive over about an 8" curb, which I didn't want to do. As well as parking in a dirt and grass lot and I had just washed my car. We continued until we reached 44A and then exited the area.

We ended up at LSL and had a nice meal at Sonny's. At 1pm their specials kick in, I got a pulled pork sandwich on a nice hamburger roll, corn on the cob, cole slaw and sweet tea, all for $6.99


.

[graciegirl]

We didn't go, so we helped the congestion. Being this was a first you could say it was a huge success or a huge failure, depending on how you look at it.

No one could predict the crowds, the first time around.

[bonrich]

We went down with friends in two carts. Held up at the Gilchrist gate, carts backed up on BV with carts entering from Pinellas. VCDD working the gate. Searched and finally found a parking place for our carts. If you were in a auto, much harder if any, to find a spot. Got there around 2:30, could not find any strawberry's in flats or adorned in a bowl. Great turnout, carnival type atmosphere, workers still working on the buildings, music on the square, dogs, and lots of people. Had a dessert at City Fire. I would have hoped to see a truck loaded with strawberrys, selling right off the back, half flat or full flat.
All in all, great fun for a mid week activity. Goes to show, build and they will come.....

[Mikeod]

We tried to go. When I got to the lights at Buena Vista and 466A and there were two lines of cars heading south as well as a lot of carts, I knew we were in trouble. By the time we got to Brownwood, we circled the north lot for a bit then went to the south lot. There were a lot of cars also trying unsuccessfully to find a place, so we just went home. Glad those that actually got there had a good time.

[gocubsgo]

Why don't they split these festivals between 2 squares to lessen the crowds? My friend attempted to go and said there was even fights breaking out for parking spaces. Wow...

[graciegirl]

Why don't they split these festivals between 2 squares to lessen the crowds? My friend attempted to go and said there was even fights breaking out for parking spaces. Wow...

THIS WAS THE FIRST one. Strawberry Festival on Campus as far as I know was not done before.

And if we all don't start behaving, it may not be done again.;)

There are those reasonable people like Mikeod who saw that it was going to be crowded and went home and then there are unreasonable and nasty folks who would start a fight over a parking space.

Sheesh.

[curly top]

there was only one vendor selling strawberry shortcake, farmers selling strawberries and of course strawberry diaquaris. There should have been more choices: strawberry desserts, jams, etc.
Hopefully next year it will be better

[2BNTV]

It sounds like they were overwhelmed by the large turnout. Hopefully, the next time will be better planned so everyone can be accomodated.

[coffeebean]

I enjoyed the Carnival games. It was nice that you got a prize even if you could not complete the task. I'm ready for New Year's Eve with my train wistle!

We arrived early enough to get a great parking spot in one of the close lots. I had the VERY BEST Nutella crepe ever. Very enjoyable.

The strawberry shortcake was delicious!

[Bogie Shooter]

The next one will be better.? Guess one needs to define better. Every event in TV is huge in attendance (think Golfest Fri & Sat). Many of the above posts are just whining with little thought, that things will most likely not get better.........there always will be crowds, parking shortages and idiots who think fighting over a parking spot is so macho.
Went to Strawberry Festival in Plant City yesterday, large crowds, long lines, considerate and inconsiderate people. Was I surprised, no, thats just the way things are.
If these things bother you.................best you stay home and put another log on the fire.:laugh:

[coffeebean]

my friends said there were only 3 food vendors for thousands of hungry festival goers......that doesn't make any sense at all.

Who needs food when there are crepes, fried dough and strawberry shortcake? Not to mention the strawberry daiquiris.

[SALYBOW]

We got a decent parking spot! There were not enough food or drink stands because you had to wait for a long time, but that happens a lot of places. I loved the carnival style games. Played a little Skee Ball. The day was beautiful and the crowd was thick but manageable. I loved it! :0000000000luvmyhors

[vito711]

I went early and had a great time, no problems.

[tommy steam]

If you were there, what did you think of it? Looks great from The Sun write up.

Wife and I went there around noon. The place was packed with people. Wife wanted a hot dog,it took about 25 minutes waiting on line to get one. Way to long. I think they should have more food and drink concessions . We were there for around 2 hrs and the people kept coming and lining up to get food,you would have thought they were giving it away. Band was great ,people were having fun, and the weather was good. It was a nice, but very crowded afternoon .:laugh: