8. Florida Strawberry Festival

The Buzz -- For ten days each spring, this local festival pays tribute to shortcake's best friend. As you might expect, the tasty fruit is available in a variety of recipes and treats, but there's more to the festival than just eating. Country music concerts by big name entertainers are a huge draw, and there's also a pageant, an art show, competitions, cook-offs and numerous games and rides. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the occasion annually, and area farmers easily see that their efforts have been well-received.