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Ocala
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival returns in March, volunteers needed

The Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival will return in early March for its 9th annual installment, and volunteers are needed.

The festival, which is hosted by the Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, will take place on Saturday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the McPherson Complex located at 601 SE 25th Avenue in Ocala.

During the festival, visitors will be able to purchase fresh strawberries from Plant City farmers, along with other tasty strawberry treats. There will also be over 230 unique vendors in attendance, including numerous nonprofit organizations.

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Plenty of strawberries will be for sale during the festival (Photo: 2022 Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival)
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Over 230 unique vendors will take part in the upcoming festival  (Photo: 2022 Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival)

The event will provide family-friendly entertainment that includes a kid’s zone and petting zoo; an auto show featuring cars, trucks, and motorcycles; a traveling BMX stunt show that was started by X-Games medalist Rob Nolli; a strawberry pie-eating contest; and more.

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BMX riders entertaining the crowd during last year’s festival (Photo: 2022 Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival)
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Festival attendees will be able to meet several animals at the on-site petting zoo (Photo: 2022 Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival)

In addition, there will be live music courtesy of The Petty Experience (a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band) and Chris Patti (a Great Crooners and Frank Sinatra tribute artist).

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The Petty Experience will entertain attendees with the music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Photo: 2022 Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival)

Habitat for Humanity of Marion County states that it would be unable to host the event without dedicated volunteers who donate their time, efforts, and knowledge. According to the nonprofit organization, over 30 volunteers are still needed for Friday, March 3, and 100-plus volunteers are needed for Saturday, March 4.

There are multiple shifts available to accommodate volunteers who can only help out for a couple hours, along with all-day shifts for those who are able to stick around for the entirety of the festival.

“Whether you’re a high schooler in need of volunteer hours, a business team who wants to volunteer their time for a great cause, or someone who just loves this great community event as much as we do – we can use your help,” stated the Humane Society of Marion County.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, or to sign up, visit the Habit Ocala Strawberry Festival’s volunteer webpage.

Admission to the Strawberry Festival is free, and the event is open to the public. All proceeds raised at the annual festival will be used to build a new home – called the Strawberry House – which will be for low-income families with an affordable mortgage, according to Habitat for Humanity of Marion County.

For more information, visit the Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival website.