Strawberries, Cirque Shows, and Monster Trucks: Palm Bay’s 8th Annual Strawberry Fest Returns March 14

Palm Bay, FL -- The 8th Annual Strawberry Fest returns to Fred Poppe Regional Park next weekend, March 14-15, with fresh Plant City strawberries, a new cirque act, and monster truck rides. The festival, organized by Buckler Promotions, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.If you went in February last year, note the calendar shift. The festival has moved from its traditional mid-February slot to mid-March for 2026. Buckler Promotions has not publicly stated a reason for the change.What’s New This YearThe biggest addition is Cirque Adventure, an acrobatic and aerial performance company running free shows at noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. each day. This appears to be new for the Palm Bay festival.Monster truck rides from “Nothing But Trouble” return as a paid attraction. New this year is a bungee jump.The StapleswThe festival’s core has stayed consistent since it moved from Melbourne’s Wickham Park to Palm Bay in 2024. Fresh strawberries, strawberry shortcake, strawberry fudge, and strawberry lemonade anchor the food side. Beer and wine vendors will also be on site.Free activities include a petting farm, bounce houses, rock painting, cornhole, hula hoop competitions, and sack races. The pie eating contest returns three times daily (11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.) with a $5 entry fee. The Berry Cute Baby Contest runs at noon each day.Axe throwing and pony rides are back as paid attractions. Arts and crafts vendors will be set up across the park.Children’s Hunger Project PartnershipA portion of festival proceeds goes to the Children’s Hunger Project, a Brevard County nonprofit that sends backpacks of food home with school-age children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. The partnership has been in place since at least 2022.Bring a canned good to the gate and you’ll get $1 off admission. Two birds, one can.Practical InfoThe festival is at Fred Poppe Regional Park, 1951 Malabar Road NW. Parking is free. Admission has historically been $7 for adults, with children 2 and under free. The 2026 website has not confirmed this year’s pricing, so check palmbayfest.com before you go. Based on prior years, expect cash only at the entrance.This is a privately organized event by Buckler Promotions, not a City of Palm Bay production. It does not appear on the city’s official events calendar.Sources: palmbayfest.com, bucklershows.com, thechildrenshungerproject.org, The Palm Bayer prior coverage (2024) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepalmbayer.com