Ready for a “Berry” good time? The 8th annual Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival is coming to the McPherson complex on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The festival begins at 9 am with FREE admission and ends at 5 pm. Volunteers from Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA) will assist with traffic control and parking for the festival. Proceeds collected from parking ($5 per vehicle) will benefit the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association and Habitat for Humanity of Marion County. The festival starts with over 230 unique and exciting vendors, a kid’s zone with a petting zoo, strawberry food items that melt in your mouth, a bigger-than-ever car show with cool cars, trucks, and motorcycles, a pie-eating contest, a BMX show. Top-notch entertainment will be with performances from the Petty Experience Band, and Chris Patti, a Great Crooners and Frank Sinatra Tribute Artist.

Many nonprofits will have vendor booths, and Several photo booths will be available. The festival offers fresh strawberries (from Plant City farmers) to purchase with many delicious strawberry treats. Come watch the strawberry pie eating contest. The festival is for all ages, there is food for all tastes and fun for all generations of festival-goers. Habitat for Humanity could not host this event without our dedicated volunteers who have donated their time, efforts, and knowledge to assist. There are over 700 volunteers assisting throughout the festival. Habitat would like to thank all our wonderful and dedicated sponsors for helping us host another great event.

All proceeds raised at the annual Strawberry Festival will be used to build a new home which will be called the Strawberry House for low-income families with an affordable mortgage and a safe and secure environment to raise their children.

Pre-Sale Strawberries Flats are now available for purchase! Save time and money by reserving your flats of strawberries ahead of time for only $20! Once you pre-purchase, you can pickup your Pre-Sale Strawberry Flats on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 8:30 AM until 6:00 PM. Get your delicious, juicy strawberries by clicking the button below and ordering now!

Our Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival boasts numerous vendor booths. From strawberry vendors to local merchants, check out our current 2023 Vendor List or download our 2023 Vendor Map by clicking the links below.

Vendor Information

Habitat wants all vendors to do well therefore there is a limited number of vendors selling the same products permitted at the event. Vendor spaces will not be assigned until application fees are paid in full.

Vendor spaces are 12×12 in grassy area. Vendors must provide their own tent, table, and chairs. Corner spaces, electricity, and meal deals are optional with additional fees. Register for the festival as soon as possible to hold your vendor space as they sell fast.

If you would like to register as a vendor but unsure if you will be approved, please send an email to our Development Director, Joanne Black, at jblack@habitatocala.org with the items you would like to sell, she will respond as soon as possible so you can register for the event.

BMX Trickstars
BMX Trickstars will return for another year – sponsored by The Tobacco Free Partnership of Marion County!

BMX Trickstars
BMX Trickstars will return for another year – sponsored by The Tobacco Free Partnership of Marion County!

 

BMX Trickstars is an all-inclusive traveling BMX stunt show that was started by X-Games medalist Rob Nolli to bring an exciting display of BMX bike stunts and freestyle tricks to events across the nation. With over 30 years of experience, our shows offer flatland freestyle and high flying ramp action from Florida’s most professional, experienced, and innovative bicycle stunt riders.

Located on SE 4th Street, come check out all the amazing BMX stunts. Rob Nolli has over 38 years of experience in the BMX industry, and 30 years of professional BMX. He has performed in all 50 states and 11 counties, touring for companies such as GT Bicycles, Giant Bicycles, ASA Entertainment, Walt Disney World, Hoffman Bikes, and many more.

Show times are 11am, 1pm, and 3 pm.

Sponsored By:

We’ll be jammin’ out to live music at the 2023 Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival! Top-notch live entertainment will rock out on The AGM Roofing & PNC Bank Stage stage with performances by:

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MAC DEMO – Martial Arts Center Demonstration Team

 

The Demo Team will provide a demonstration of all the fun things you could learn at the MAC.

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The Petty Experience Band

Sponsored by: Aetna

Based in St, Petersburg FL, The Petty Experience is the South’s #1 tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. We aren’t like others. No standing still or wearing wigs. We entertain through a world-class show featuring not just amazing musicianship but also true stagecraft, complete audience interaction, stage props from Tom’s tours, regular guest artists on violin and trumpet, and so much more. The band can perform over 60 tracks from the Heartbreakers’ catalog, as well as songs by the Traveling Wilburys and some of Tom’s collaborators and favorite artists. We’re not only a tribute. We’re an experience.

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Chris Patti (Frank Sinatra & More)

Sponsored by: PNC Bank

 

Chris Patti, Tribute Artist for the Great Crooners, and Frank Sinatra Tribute Artist- Local Artist who has been performing all over Florida and giving tribute to his idols.

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The Mudds

Sponsored by: JNS Pressure Washing

 

 

The Mudds are known for a spirited, soulful sound and toe-tapping traditional jazz and blues style that will return you to the days of Louisiana speak-easy lounges and cool cats. Originals, Jazz & Blues and Pop.

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Smile Time Photo Booth

Stop by and get your picture taken at our photobooth! Located near the main stage – Sponsored By:

 

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Tim’s Train Rides – Kids Zone

Let the kiddos take a little train ride with Tim’s Train Rides located in our Kids Zone.

 

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Beautiful Creatures’ Farm to You Revue

Animals for Education & Enjoyment, Mobile Animals & Private Ranch Animal Encounters. Located in our Kids Zone.

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Pie Eating Contest
Sponsored By:

and 

Located at our Main Stage starting at 3:30 pm. Free entries and you can sign up online or in person the day-of at the Habitat Information Booth.

 

2023 Campus USA Credit Union Car Show
Auto Show for all types of vehicles!

Sponsored by:

Enter your TRUCK, CAR, MOTORCYCLE, or UNIQUE VEHICLE for a chance to win Best of the Best in the vehicle category, bragging rights, and a cool trophy. The show offers music, chance drawings, split the pot, plus access to the Habitat Strawberry Festival! From 11am-4pm in the parking lot adjacent to the Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival.

Price to Enter:
$20 – Before February 15TH
$25 – After February 15TH

Become a sponsor of one of the BIGGEST events in Marion County!

We have many different levels that suit your needs including recognizing your business in different ways. Just click the button below to view our different sponsorship opportunities.

If you do not see a sponsorship level that suits your needs, please contact Joanne at jblack@habitatocala.org to design a level just for your business. Become a sponsor of one of Marion County’s biggest festival events and the Strawberry House as well as helping a low-income family become a home owner with affordable monthly mortgage payments.