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Strawberry Festival Attendance Hit Half-Million Mark

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By GEORGE WILKENS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 9, 2009

PLANT CITY - The Florida Strawberry Festival ended its 11-day run Sunday with attendance totaling about 500,000, according to a preliminary count.

"We're going to be right on par with last year, I think; maybe even up a little bit," general manager Paul Davis said. Last year's attendance was "a little over 500,000."

A final count will be available after festival officials calculate the number of discounted tickets sold at area Sweetbay grocery stores.

The festival, which opened Feb. 26, was generally blessed with excellent weather. The first Sunday was an exception: cold and blustery.

But that night was highlighted by the sold-out Taylor Swift concert, which drew thousands of mostly young fans undeterred by the weather. Many who bought the advance tickets arrived early or stayed late to experience the festival midway and other attractions, Davis said.

"It's those 13- to 17-year-olds who come to the fair and really enjoy the rides and the cotton candy," Davis said. "So for a really cold day … it was a great concert to have."

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433.

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