EVENTS
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Gilbert and Elvira Mendez work in a Poteet strawberry field around 1948. Courtesy UTSA Libraries Special Collections, San Antonio Light Photograph Collection.
And how it began
The Poteet Strawberry Festival began in 1948, the first event was organized to encourage returning World War II veterans to return to farming and to improve the quality and consistency of strawberry production.
Today, the festival continues to celebrate Poteet’s premier strawberries—now considered an endangered crop—while investing in the future through scholarships that support the youth of Poteet. Beyond preserving agricultural traditions, the festival has grown into a major economic driver for Atascosa County and South Texas, and attracting visitors from across the state and greater Southwest.
RODEO & RANCH RODEO
DATES & TIME:
THURSDAY: Team Roping @ 7:00 PM
FRIDAY: Ranch Rodeo @ 7:30 PM
SATURDAY: Rodeo @ 2:30 PM | Bull Riding @ 8:00PM
SUNDAY: Rodeo @ 5:00 PM
PLACE:
Poteet Lion's Club Rodeo Arena
(Poteet Strawberry Festival Grounds)
DETAILS
MUTTON BUSTIN SIGN UP: at Arena - 1 hour before Rodeo on
Saturday & Sunday Performances
Time:
All entries must be in between 9 am – 11:59 am, Saturday, April 11, 2026 Judging will begin at 12:30 pm.
Place:
A the Rotary Building on the Strawberry Festival Grounds.
Auction:
Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 2:00 pm
come see the bERry best growers in the state of texas compete for
Grand champion & reserve champion
strawberry auction
Nestled in the heart of the Artesian Belt, Poteet has earned its sweet reputation as the Strawberry Capital of Texas. What began as a few rows in Henry and Ida Mumme’s kitchen garden has grown into a celebrated crop that draws visitors from across the state. The first year of marketing Poteet strawberries was a hit, with berries selling for $20 a basket—more than today’s market price! In 1921, local citizens welcomed guests from San Antonio to taste these crimson delights, inspiring headlines like, “Crimson Berries Beckon Hungry Tourists to Poteet.” The tradition continued when the 1st Poteet Strawberry Festival launched in 1948, establishing a hometown legacy that celebrates strawberries, community, and South Texas heritage.
