February 24, 2026
Florida Strawberries Bring the Community Together at Brownwood Event
By Riley Goldberg
Florida Strawberries Bring the Community Together at Brownwood Event
On the weekend of Feb. 20-22, Brownwood Paddock Square hosted its annual community-wide strawberry festival.
Every year, this event draws a large crowd looking to enjoy strawberry-themed snacks and dance the night away to songs performed by several featured live musicians.
This year, the live performers were The Brothers Jukebox and X Girlfriend on Friday, Greg Warren Trio, Slickwood and Slippery When Wet on Saturday and Southbound, Prime Time Twirlers and Sweet & Sassy on Sunday.
This event brings large crowds into local businesses, especially the locally owned shops and restaurants featured on the square.
“We love events like this,” says Bryce Kelly, owner of McAlister’s Deli in Brownwood. “It brings a lot of attention to all the businesses on the square, all the restaurants and shops. And you know, people come in here, and they not only go to the festival, but then they come and eat lunch, or they’ll go and shop in all the stores. So, you know, you get a lot of exposure.”
In addition, the event provides a space for local vendors to sell and promote their small businesses. At this festival, strawberries are the main attraction, but vendors also featured a wide variety of crafts, art, jewelry and clothing available for viewing and purchase.
Small vendors are boosted by events like this, and the community gets the opportunity to support small businesses while enjoying themselves outside in the square.
“Events like this bring everybody together,” says Karen, owner of the self-titled “Mexican Stand,” which sells a variety of snacks, spices, extracts and more. “It’s fantastic. Everybody comes out, gets active, and I get to visit with all my customers.”
Brownwood Paddock Square regularly hosts events like this one. The annual Brownwood Paddock Square Arts & Crafts Festival is approaching, scheduled for April 19-30, and the square also hosts a bustling farmers market every Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
Photos by Riley Goldberg
Born and raised in Leesburg Florida, Riley has always been immersed in the community. She received her Associates in Arts at Lake Sumter State College and is currently studying creative writing at the University of Central Florida.
While Riley is young and just starting this new journalistic road, she has excellent communication skills and is very excited to talk to new people and learn their stories.
When Riley isn't writing for the magazine or working at her other job as a physical therapy tech, she's writing for herself. As a student of creative writing, Riley enjoys crafting short stories, poetry, and novel-length works of fiction. She also likes to draw, sing, bake, play various sports, and watch sitcoms with her family.
