A Citrus County Experience: The Annual Floral City Strawberry Festival

It's March in Citrus County and that means Strawberries. This is the 23rd year for The Floral City Strawberry Festival and it's always a fun-

filled family event with pony rides, rock climbing, princess pageants, an abundance of food and arts & craft vendors. There is live entertainment, a

classic car show. But, of course, the star of the show is the Strawberries and for the first time a Prized Super Strawberry Sweets Contest. The specialty recipes include jams, jellies, pies, pastries, cakes, muffins, bread and

alike. Of course, there are prizes awarded.

Ferris Groves was once the largest citrus grower in the county, but turned to strawberries many years ago when citrus proved to be an economic loss. there are now 55 acres growing more than 1.2 million strawberry plants. A large share of the harvested berries are sold wholesale in other locales but festival goers are assured plenty of the berries will be available for the festival. According to USDA researchers, Florida is second only to California in their production of the succulent berry.

No one needs any prompting to enjoy strawberries, the tasty berries are also a healthy food source. they are a flavorful source of vitamin C and one cup of the berries, unsweetened have just 55 calories.

After eating only a few berries I was prepared to gird up the loins for a good old fashioned rock climb. Although I was unable to "ring the bell", I learned very fast that it would take a few more helpings of berries to come back another time for another try.

Floral City Park is 2.5 miles south of town on U.S. 41, and is transformed into a food court and arts bazaar for the festival. An exhibit area containing about 250 fine artists and crafters line the bicycle path inside the park.

The strawberries come from our own Ferris Groves and highlight the county's agricultural heritage. This is one time where it's definitely all right to eat dessert before lunch or even as lunch and the best way to enjoy the food is to buy it and then head over to one of the hay bales spread out all over the grounds to use either as a seat or a picnic table.

Since the crowd has grown to over 30,000 people visiting the festival a shuttle bus is offered. You can park your car at the Citrus County Fairgrounds and take the shuttle to the festival for just $1.00 roundtrip. These shuttle busses operate every half hour so that when you are ready there is a bus for you. The price of admission is $2.00.

Admission to the festival is $2. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2, and children under 12 get in free.

For those who can't get their fill at the festival, strawberries will be sold by the chamber of commerce in flats for take-home use as well.

If you plan to be in Citrus County in March, be sure to mark your calendar for the Strawberry Festival which is usually the first week end.

Here's a great recipe that I tried and it is yummy.

Florida Strawberry-Orange Tart

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons water

1 cup strawberries, pureed

8 ounces light cream cheese

1 tablespoon orange zest

1/4 cup orange juice

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 10-inch baked tart shell

2 pints fresh strawberries, sliced

Make a glaze for the pie by combining sugar and cornstarch.

Blend in water and pureed strawberries. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture thickens and bubbles. Strain mixture and cool at room temperature. Mix cream cheese, orange zest, orange juice and powdered sugar until creamy.