Florida strawberry festival traffic congestion prompts alert, Facebook posts from sheriff's office
Clay County Sheriff's Office issued a traffic alert via Facebook shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday, March 2, urging people to expect traffic delays on state Road 16 in Green Cove Springs and fill their gas tanks before attending the Clay County Strawberry Festival. Those not attending the festival were warned to consider alternate routes.
Dozens of comments flooded the Clay County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, complaining about hours of traffic while trying to leave the festival Saturday afternoon. The entry gates were closed early due to the traffic and arising safety issues.
More "on duty" personnel was assigned for Sunday, March 2, Sheriff Michelle Cook wrote in a Facebook post. However, the sheriff stated that taxpayers should not have to pay for an event hosted by a private vendor.
"Let me be very clear ..." Cook wrote in her post,' the Strawberry Festival should hire enough staff to support an Incident Management Team (those that command and support the working personnel) and hire enough staff to support a full and comprehensive traffic plan — similar to what the Fair does — the CCSO will not support this event. We will debrief this event and provide our feedback to the promoter."
Cook clarified that the Strawberry Festival is not organized by the same group that puts on the Clay County Fair. Addressing concerns about the county fair specifically, she stated that they have been working with the organizers to reduce traffic wait times and ensure traffic runs as efficiently as possible. The Clay County Fair runs from April 3-13, 2025.
The Sheriff's Office page shared some safety reminders Sunday, along with the alert. On Cook's personal page, she encouraged festivalgoers to email feedback on the traffic to the Clay County Strawberry Festival organization's team.
Florida Strawberry Festival 2025: 12 things to know from ticket prices to concert lineup
The Clay County Strawberry Fest will be hosted at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs.
Dates: Saturday, March 1 to Sunday, March 2, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: Clay County Fairgrounds
2463 FL-16, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
There is plenty to do besides scarfing down strawberries at Clay County Strawberry Fest.
Disc Connected K9s will present free frisbee dog shows at 12, 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Both days will feature a 'Berry Cute Baby Contest' at 12 p.m., where the winner will receive $25 Berry Bucks to spend at the festival, a Kohl's Cares Stuffed Animal and a certificate coupled with bragging rights. The runner-up will also receive the Kohl's Cares Stuffed Animal and certificate.
Other activities include:
Monster truck rides
Bungee jumping
Aze throwing
Batting cage
Arts and crafts
Train rides
Bounce houses
Pony rides
Petting farm
Face painting
Hula hoop contests and sack races
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Clay County Strawberry Fest traffic in Florida prompts Facebook alerts
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