For the last 20 years, OneBlood has partnered with the Florida Strawberry Festival to encourage blood donations and attendance to one of Florida’s biggest festivals. This year, all blood donors will get Two Free Florida Strawberry Festival Tickets. Find a participating blood drive or donor center near you and get your tickets today!

Florida Strawberry Festival team members

We spoke with members of the Strawberry Festival team this year about this fruitful partnership and why saving lives is the sweetest reward of all! 

Tell us about the 2026 Strawberry Festival and what an attendee can expect.

The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day celebration rooted in agriculture, community, and tradition. Honoring the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County, the Festival welcomes more than 650,000 visitors each year. Attendees can expect a true hometown fair experience—headline concerts, youth livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, commercial vendors, family-friendly midway attractions, and, of course, the Festival’s iconic strawberry shortcake. It’s a place where generations come together to celebrate both local heritage and shared memories.

The 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival runs from February 26 through March 8 in Plant City, FL.

What does giving back mean to the Florida Strawberry Festival?

Giving back is at the heart of the Florida Strawberry Festival’s mission. The Festival proudly supports the community it represents by creating seasonal employment opportunities for hundreds of local residents and reinvesting proceeds into scholarships, sponsorships, youth programs, schools, churches, and civic organizations. Every ticket purchased helps strengthen the community and ensures the Festival continues to serve as a positive economic and cultural force for the region.

How did the Festival and OneBlood partnership first begin?

More than 20 years ago, OneBlood began hosting blood drives outside the Festival gates, offering admission tickets to donors as a thank-you for their generosity. What started as a simple act of community service has grown into a longstanding and cherished tradition—one that reflects the Festival’s commitment to compassion, partnership, and making a real difference beyond the midway. 

Why are the OneBlood blood drives meaningful to the Festival?

The OneBlood blood drives align perfectly with the Festival’s values of service and community care. By helping OneBlood reach more donors during the Festival, this partnership plays a direct role in saving lives across the region. It’s a powerful reminder that the Festival is about more than entertainment—it’s about people helping people.

The OneBlood Big Red Bus at the Florida Strawberry Festival.

Bonus question: What’s one thing people might not know about the Florida Strawberry Festival?

Many people may not realize that the Florida Strawberry Festival began as an agricultural showcase—not an entertainment event. Its original purpose was to highlight local farming and the strawberry industry that helped shape the region. While the Festival has grown over the years, its agricultural roots remain a proud and essential part of its identity. 

We are berry grateful for our longstanding relationship with the Florida Strawberry Festival and our shared passion for supporting the community. If you are looking for a taste of this special partnership and to donate blood, visit our Strawberry Festival Blood Drive page for more details! Our Big Red Buses will be around the Hillsborough County and Pinellas County area leading up to the Strawberry Festival and will be at the Festival from February 26 through March 8. See you there!