This festival is to promote, enjoy, and teach about Florida’s “Urban Fruit” – the loquat. The loquat, which originated in China, is similar – but different from – a kumquat. The small, sweet yellow-orange colored fruit grows on a flowering tree, often cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is used to make jams, jellies, pies and tarts, as well as wine, tea and beer.

The Florida Loquat Festival – thought to be the only loquat festival in the country – is intended to be a learning experience where attendees can find out how to grow and cultivate the trees, how to eat the fruit, how to cook with it, and how to use it to make beer, tea and wine. Recipes are available for those who want to make their own loquat dishes.

Each year hundreds of loquat trees are available for sale to the public in various sizes. Fresh loquats and other loquat products and drinks may also be purchased or sampled. Loquat beer and wine is not available at the festival, nor are any other alcoholic beverages.

There is no entrance fee for the Florida Loquat Festival and parking is free.