Locals turn out for Strawberry Fest

Scot Koster puts frisbee dog Nitro through his paces to the delight of young and old alike. The high-flying acrobatic rescue dogs perform choreographed routines to music. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Left to right: Marloe Grande and Sydney Groth, both age 5, share butterfly face painting designs because they are “best friends,” while Mira Grande’s flower motif and Ellis Groth’s Tyrannosaurus Rex go with the 3-year-olds’ shirts at the Palm Coast Strawberry Fest on March 11. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Grayson Matusczak takes a break from “rolling around” in the Human Hamster Wheel. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

The scent of Plant City strawberries filled the air near the entrance to the Palm Coast Strawberry Fest on March 11, 2023. The focal point of the festival was available for purchase by the pint, half flat, or flat. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Patrick Quest and Pam Reynolds display the custom-designed T-shirts for the 2023 festival. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Sausages sizzle on the grill in front of Ken Webley, owner and pitmaster of Big Dog BBQ out of DeLand, Florida. “If you don’t have a good day on a day like today, it’s on you,” Webley said through a big smile. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Brandon Pugh and Derek Kelly sport strawberry costumes to attract attention to their booth offering water purification systems. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

The weather was perfect during the Palm Coast Strawberry Fest at Central Park in Town Center on Saturday, March 11. The festival continued Sunday. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

“Yuck!” 8-year-old Jace Perry exclaims after spraying sour green apple into his mouth. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Most Strawberry Fest attendees picked up the Plant City berries on the way out, whether by pint, half flat, flat, or multiple flats. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Henna artist “Iddy” crafts a henna tattoo on Brittney Wagner’s left hand. The Palm Coast resident considered face painting, but said, “That’s for they younger crowd. So, I’ll do henna; that’s fun!" Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Dan Legardye holds 2-year-old Gabrielle Williams, who shows off her butterfly face paint. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Avery Granam, 9, takes the bull ride challenge for the second time Saturday, March 11, at the Palm Coast Strawberry Fest. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Palm Coast residents Lucie and John D’Arienzo fill a cart with several craft items, T-shirts, turtles, pillows and, of course, strawberries. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Savannah Payne enjoys a frozen strawberry treat. “It’s delicious,” Payne said. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Zayden Kulp, a 7-year-old from St. Augustine, is all smiles on the bungee ride. Later, Kulp said, “It was a little scary.” Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Harmonie Simmons, 5, and Tre’khi Galery, 3, pose in front of the 1996 Chevrolet Corvette modeled after a 1997 Hot Wheels toy. The car show hosted 102 classic, vintage, modern, Euro and exotic vehicles for the 2023 event. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Liam Snugden, 11, slurps ice cold lemonade from a mug that includes free refills for life. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

The Centerlane band — Tom Rechsteiner, Keith Petty and Eric Lane — entertain guests with a variety of rock ‘n’ roll throughout the Strawberry Fest. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Liam Sugden stops to pose with the stuffed snake he won throwing darts, an ice cream cone in his mouth, his new Mahomes tee, and a Native American necklace. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Flagler County Sheriff Sgt. Paul DeSousa, of the Community Engagement Unit, and DFC Marcus Dawson pose with the FCSO's 1938 Buick, used to attract the public to the booth to learn about programs including self defense, autism awareness, neighborhood watch and others. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Freya Mullins, 5, watches the Rock-it Dogs acrobatic show with her dog, Money. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Barry Hardy poses with his Corvette modeled after a 1997 Hot Wheels toy. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

Victor Felix holds what’s left of the family’s half flat of strawberries. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh