The sweetest thing
Annual Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival draws big crowd for good cause.
Dylan Carter of BMXTrickStars in Orlando catches some air in a performance during the Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival at the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala, Fla. on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The Habitat for Humanity of Marion County festival included more than 235 vendors, a kid’s zone with a petting zoo, strawberry food items, a car show, pie eating contest, live entertainment and the BMX show. The festival offered fresh Plant City strawberries for sale and proceeds will be used to build a new home for low income families. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
Saturday, March 7, was a “chamber of commerce” beautiful day in Ocala, with bright blue skies and a warm spring sun. And people turned out in hordes to take in the annual Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival at the McPherson Government Complex, where vibrant red berries were available in abundance.
The 12th annual Habitat for Humanity of Marion County festival was presented by the Gettel Automotive Group. It included live music, more than 250 vendors, a Kid Zone, a car show, BMX shows, a pie-eating contest, numerous food options, strawberries for sale and more.
“The strawberries were sweet, and attendees enjoyed the festivities, but the purpose of the Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival moved beyond providing a fun and engaging event for the community. Proceeds from the festival will help build a ‘Strawberry House’ for a local family in need in Marion County. That mission is what makes the Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival so special — every activity, vendor and strawberry purchased helps support safe, secure and affordable housing in the community,” Habitat for Humanity of Marion County Marketing Manager Sophia Timm said after the event.
“We plan for this event year-round with the intention of building a home for a hardworking family in Marion County. By following our mission of bringing people together to build homes, community and hope, we move closer to our vision where everyone has a decent place to live,” said Rob Peters, CEO/President.
“Beyond the entertainment, shopping, food and celebration, the day carries a meaningful purpose of changing the lives of everyday people in our community,” added Joanne Black, Chief Development & Retail Officer.
Habitat for Humanity of Marion County emphasizes that they provide a hand up, not a handout. Family partners, or future Habitat homeowners, invest 350 hours of “sweat equity” by helping construct their homes, working at Habitat ReStores, completing financial literacy and homeownership education workshops and volunteering at fundraising events such as the festival.
“In this way, each family’s success helps to lift another family’s success, strengthening the entire Marion County community. By uniting the community in both fellowship and purpose, Habitat for Humanity turns entertainment into empowerment,” Timm noted.
To learn more, go to habitatocala.org and find the festival on Facebook @HfhmcStrawberryFestival
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