A small Texas town, a sweet tradition, and the festival that grew from its fields.
Just south of San Antonio, the town of Poteet has earned a big reputation for one small fruit. For more than 75 years, the Poteet Strawberry Festival has celebrated the region’s growers and brought tens of thousands of visitors to Atascosa County every spring. But the roots of this tradition run deeper than carnival rides or shortcake stands. They’re planted in the soil—and in the stories—of generations of Texas strawberry farmers.
A Legacy That Started in the Fields
Strawberries first took hold in Poteet in the early 1900s, when settlers discovered the region’s sandy loam soils were ideal for this delicate crop. By the mid-20th century, local fields were bursting with bright red berries each spring—and farming families relied on that seasonal harvest for a large portion of their annual income.
In 1948, community leaders launched the first Strawberry Festival to help promote the crop, encourage tourism, and support local farmers. It worked. That first festival drew just a few thousand attendees—but the enthusiasm was contagious. Over the decades, the event has grown into one of the largest small-town festivals in Texas.
What to Expect at the Festival Today
The modern Poteet Strawberry Festival is a sprawling, colorful celebration held each April at the Strawberry Festival Grounds. Visitors can expect:
- Fresh strawberries sold by local farms and roadside vendors
- Strawberry shortcake, wine, and ice cream (of course)
- Live music across multiple stages, featuring Tejano, country, and rock
- Rodeo events, parades, and the annual Strawberry Queen pageant
- Family-friendly activities, from livestock shows to carnival rides
- Artisan booths and food vendors, many of them local
It’s not uncommon to see multi-generational families returning year after year. For many Texans, the festival is more than an event—it’s a tradition.
A Celebration With Agricultural Roots
What makes the Poteet Strawberry Festival stand out is how deeply it’s tied to local agriculture. At its core, the festival honors the labor, resilience, and innovation of Texas berry farmers. While Poteet’s strawberry acreage has declined over the decades due to urbanization and water access challenges, a number of small growers continue the legacy—and the festival remains a vital way to spotlight their work.
Some growers now experiment with greenhouse berries, vertical systems, and rare cultivars (yes, even white strawberries). Others focus on selling directly to customers through farm stands, pop-up markets, or CSA boxes during peak season.
Visiting the Festival—and the Farms Beyond It
The Poteet Strawberry Festival typically takes place over a weekend in mid-April. Tickets are affordable, parking is ample (though it can fill quickly), and the atmosphere is festive but family-friendly.
While most of the local farms do not offer U-pick access during festival weekend, some may open their gates at other times in the season. Keep an eye on farm social media pages or local grower associations if you’re hoping to find fresh berries straight from the source.
Why It Still Matters
In a rapidly changing food system, events like the Poteet Strawberry Festival remind us that farming is more than production—it’s culture. It’s community. And it’s worth celebrating.
At Delve, we’re drawn to stories like this because they connect us to the land, the seasons, and the people who grow our food. Whether you’re a curious traveler or a lifelong Texan, the festival is a chance to step into that story—even if just for a weekend.
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🍓 Curious About White Strawberries?
While Poteet is best known for its ruby-red harvests, a few growers are starting to experiment with rare white varieties like pineberries. These tropical-tasting fruits are still hard to find—but they’re gaining ground in Texas.
👉 Read more: White Strawberries in Texas? The Sweet Surprise Growing Near Poteet
