In the main street of Poteet, red and pink can be seen being worn and decorated all around the town. People walk towards the entrance of a festival with enjoyment while the others exit out exhausted but with delight that they got to make memories. Inside there’s multiple small businesses promoting their products while individuals walk towards the biggest carnival rides ready to let out screams full of dopamine. Another huge group of people can be seen eating common fair food.
The Poteet Strawberry Festival is an annual event held in Poteet Texas that celebrates the traditional strawberry harvest while bringing the community together. It is also an opportunity for foundations to raise money for scholarships, small businesses, and farmers. The festival is also recognized for its live music, fun carnival rides and their rodeo competitions. For these reasons, the strawberry festival has gained a reputation for being a family-friendly environment which attracts many visitors.
Ashley Hernandez and I, Jennifer Jacobo were hit with laughter and an amazing aroma of food as soon as we were inside the festival. We decided to go to the rides first and overall; they were extremely fun and exciting. Most of them were fast and quick, which were our favorite by far. We could see people of different ages having fun since there was a variety of rides.
“My favorite ride was the one that went in circles really fast,” said 14-year-old Yadira Farias.
Besides the rides, rodeo, and concerts, there were also vendors selling their products. We found ourselves stopping at every stand admiring the different varieties of items. On average, clothing was the most popular item. The vendors were nice and professional and were ready to answer any of the questions we had.
“We usually do indoor festivals but wanted to try something different, the weather is perfect,” said a clothing vendor Estrella Alegria.
It is inspiring to see that the Strawberry Festival brings countless opportunities to people with small businesses. Their welcoming attitude encourages them to return and keep expressing their interests through their products.
“I think the festival is perfect. There is nothing I would change, and I have heard it has been here for 60 years, so they are well prepared,” Alegria said.
As another successful Poteet Strawberry Festival ends, the event once again proved its importance as a Texan tradition. This annual festivity is something thousands look forward to since the festival continues to honor its agricultural roots while providing fun for all ages.
