Hundreds of guests gathered at Keel Farms in Plant City to celebrate the opening day of Tampa Bay's Blueberry Festival, kicking off a berry sweet start of the spring season. Gates opened at 10 a.m., and cars quickly filled the property as visitors were eager to get a taste of the juicy harvest.
As guests made their way to the vineyard, they were welcomed by smiling staff and the sound of live music. The family-friendly event offered something for everyone. There were 40 craft vendors and a variety of food trucks and of course some blueberry-inspired treats.
“This is our very first festival we have put on, but the winery has been open since 2003,” said Andrew Shafer, the director of hospitality at Keel Farms.
Shafer said blueberries are one of Plant City’s biggest crops outside of its well-known strawberries and they are rooted in the farm's history.
“We started out as a blueberry farm, before we even started doing wine or cider, so that was really what we are built on,” he said.
While this year’s berries aren’t quite ripe enough for picking, Shafer said he is hoping by next week guests can begin picking them. In the meantime, they partnered with local farmers to create their blueberry drinks.
“It’s all about the community,” Shafer said.
The farm just launched their blueberry Moscato wine, a new blueberry-vanilla cider and a blueberry wheat beer, Shafer calls the “Blueberry Muffin.” All the wine and cider is crafted at the farm.
Beyond the blueberry drinks, guests could sip on fresh-squeezed lemonade or snack on blueberry inspired pastries and baked goods. Craft vendors leaned into the theme as well, offering everything from berry themed jewelry, clothing and gifts for the furry friends.
Local business owner Tara Sumner of Berry Cute PC said the festival reflects just how important berries are to the area.
“We love our berries in Plant City, it’s not just a crop that we grow,” said Tara Sumner owner of Berry Cute PC.
Her stand featured strawberry and blueberry-themed items like earrings, signs, bracelets and more.
“Blueberries are our secondary crop around here. I’ve noticed a lot especially going towards Dade City, we have a lot of blueberry farms around our area. It's a perfect spring crop,” Sumner said.
Sumner recommends guests arrive early to beat the Florida heat.
The festival also featured live music, farm animals, a kid zone and was dog-friendly with plenty of four-legged visitors joining in on the berry fun.
The event is closed on Easter Sunday, but will continue every Saturday and Sunday for the rest of April from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.