Black Eyed Peas to Oliver Anthony: Strawberry Festival announces star-studded music lineup

Paul Catala
·4 min read
Acclaimed Hip-hop and R&B group the Black-Eyed Peas will make an appearance at the Florida Strawberry Festival in 2024, playing at 7:30 p.m. on March 2.
Acclaimed Hip-hop and R&B group the Black-Eyed Peas will make an appearance at the Florida Strawberry Festival in 2024, playing at 7:30 p.m. on March 2.

PLANT CITY – Over the decades, the Florida Strawberry Festival has become renowned for bringing in some of the biggest names in rock, southern rock and country.

But in more recent years, the acts have become more sonically diverse.

On Monday, Strawberry Festival organizers officially announced the music lineup for the 2024 festival, Feb. 29 to March 10, with an array of musical stylings and sounds.

Oliver Anthony, of "Rich Men North of Richmond" fame will play the headlining spot on the opening night of the Strawberry Festival on Feb. 29.
Oliver Anthony, of "Rich Men North of Richmond" fame will play the headlining spot on the opening night of the Strawberry Festival on Feb. 29.

Festival officials are calling the lineup at the 89th festival an “Out of This World” lineup. The big-name musical artists appearing on the Wish Farms Soundstage include blues and southern rock icons ZZ Top, country singer-songwriter Riley Green, hip-hop and R&B group the Black-Eyed Peas, classic rock band Foreigner, Christian hip hop and soul gospel singer and rapper Kirk Franklin, singer-songwriter Jordan Davis and rapper and southern hip hop artist Flo Rida.

The Oak Ridge Boys’ farewell “American Made Farewell Tour” will make a stop at the Strawberry Festival on the opening night, Feb. 29.
The Oak Ridge Boys’ farewell “American Made Farewell Tour” will make a stop at the Strawberry Festival on the opening night, Feb. 29.

Florida Strawberry Festival President Kyle Robinson said although the process for selecting and securing noted acts to perform is a long and detailed process, the result is a slate of musical artists that is varied  in their sounds. He said the festival has kept a steady lineup of classic country acts such as Gene Watson, but the administration worked hard to bring in newer country artists such as Green and Jordan Davis.

Robinson said he was particularly happy to get the Black Eyed Peas onstage after years trying to secure them. He said the act was flying from out of the U.S. just to attend the Strawberry Festival.

“Historically, the Strawberry Festival has centered around country music. Over the past few years, we’ve worked really hard to ensure we have entertainment for all of our guest,” said Robinson in his second year at president.

Classic Southern rock band ZZ Top will pay March 4 at the Florida Strawberry Festival.
Classic Southern rock band ZZ Top will pay March 4 at the Florida Strawberry Festival.

And in a written statement, Robinson said months of effort goes into putting the annual festival concerts together.

“The directors on our entertainment committee worked diligently in planning and preparing for this highly anticipated announcement. The research, negotiations, and coordinating that must take place for us to secure our headline entertainment is such a unique process,” he said in a written statement. “I know how much care and consideration has gone into making these selections, and I can promise you this lineup will not disappoint. It’s ‘Out of This World’!”

Riley Green is among the new country music acts booked to perform at the 2024 Florida Strawberry Festival.
Riley Green is among the new country music acts booked to perform at the 2024 Florida Strawberry Festival.

The music lineup for the 2024 Strawberry Festival:

  • Feb. 29, 10:30 a.m. Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra (free with admission); 3:30 p.m., The Oak Ridge Boys’ farewell “American Made Farewell Tour” ($35);  7:30 p.m. Oliver Anthony “Out of The Woods” ($35).

  • Mar. 1, 3:30 p.m. The Beach Boys ($45); 7:30 p.m., Jordan Davis ($55).

  • Sat., Mar. 2, 7:30 p.m. Black Eyed Peas (without Fergie, $65).

  • Sun., Mar. 3, 7:30 p.m. Parker McCollum ($65).

  • Mon., Mar. 4, 3:30 p.m. The Bellamy Brothers ($25); 7:30 p.m., ZZ Top ($55).

  • Tues., Mar. 5, 3:30 p.m. Mark Lowry ($30); 7:30 p.m. Zach Williams ($40).

  • Wed., Mar. 6, 3:30 p.m. Craig Morgan ($35); 7:30 p.m. Riley Green ($50).

  • Thurs., Mar. 7, 10:30 a.m. Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets (free with admission); 3:30 p.m. Gene Watson ($25); 7:30 p.m. Kirk Franklin ($45).

  • Fri., Mar. 8, 3:30 p.m. The Commodores ($35); 7:30 p.m. Foreigner ($55).

  • Sat., Mar. 9, 3:30 p.m. Jo Dee Messina ($30); 7:30 p.m. Flo Rida ($50).

  • Sun., Mar. 10, 7:30 p.m. act will be announced Nov. 27.

With the exception of the March 9 concert featuring Jo Dee Messina, there will be no Saturday or Sunday afternoon shows.

Advance tickets for admission and for headline entertainment shows go on sale at 8 a.m. Dec. 7. They can be purchased online at www.flstrawberryfestival.com, at the Amscot Main Ticket Office, 2209 W. Oak Ave., Plant City and by phone at 813-754-1996.

Rapper and Southern hip hop artist Flo Rida is scheduled to play March 9 at the Strawberry Festival.
Rapper and Southern hip hop artist Flo Rida is scheduled to play March 9 at the Strawberry Festival.

For information and tickets, see www.flstrawberryfestival.com, 813-754-1996 or visit in person at the Amscot Main Ticket Office, 2209 W. Oak Ave., Plant City.

The Florida Strawberry Festival 11-day festival draws more than 600,000 people annually with exhibits, youth livestock shows, a variety of strawberry-themed and strawberry-made dishes and desserts and treats and live music acts.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Strawberry Festival calls 2024 music lineup 'out of this world'

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