Get the ultimate overview of the Strawberry Shortcake Donut Eating Contest,
presented with Parlor Doughnuts, Venice Nights, and GBack Media.
Venice is about to celebrate Florida’s world-famous strawberries in the sweetest way possible! The First Annual Parlor Donuts Strawberry Shortcake Festival, presented by Venice Nights & GBack Media in partnership with Parlor Doughnuts (Venice), is the inaugural event set to become an annual tradition. On Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM at Koworx Coworking Space located at 1101 Tamiami Trail South, Venice, FL 34285, join us for a delicious, family-friendly night of strawberry shortcake, high-energy competition, live music, and a vibrant vendor marketplace.
Florida strawberries are legendary—juicy, sweet, and perfect for turning into creative shortcakes. This festival honors that flavor with Parlor Donuts’ signature strawberry shortcake donuts as the star, plus a thrilling speed eating contest, live music from The Outsiderz, and shopping fun. It’s the perfect blend of food, competition, entertainment, and community—bringing Southwest Florida together for one unforgettable evening.
Join the Strawberry Shortcake Donut Eating Contest on Saturday, March 14, 2026
at Koworx Coworking Space in Venice, FL.
Event Details:
Date, Time, and Venue
- Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
- Time: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (public hours; setup starts at 1:00 PM)
- Location: Koworx Coworking Space, 1101 Tamiami Trail South, Venice, FL 34285
Full Event Schedule
- 4:00 PM – Vendor setup closes; Shortcake Eating Contest registration opens
- 5:00 PM – Vendors open to the public (JOIN AS A VENDOR, SIGN UP HERE)
- 5:15 PM – Strawberry Shortcake Speed Eating Contest begins (SIGN UP HERE)
- 6:00 PM – Live Music: The Outsiderz
- 7:30 PM – Eating contest winners announced
- 7:30 PM – Live Music continues
- 9:30 PM – Event wrap-up & breakdown
On-Site Amenities
Bathrooms, full PA system with MC announcements, and golf cart assistance for vendor unloading will be available throughout the event.
What Makes This Festival Special
Strawberry Shortcake by Parlor Doughnuts
Parlor Doughnuts brings their signature strawberry shortcake donuts, celebrating Florida’s strawberry season with creative, indulgent flavors.
Strawberry Shortcake Speed Eating Contest
A high-energy, no-hands competition to crown the fastest shortcake eater.
- Adults: $20
- Kids (8–17): $20
- Family Pack: $50 (up to 4 participants)
Limited slots available. Register online or onsite before 4:00 PM. The contest will be streamed live on Facebook.
Live Music from The Outsiderz
From 6:00 PM onward, The Outsiderz bring upbeat, crowd-moving performances to keep the energy high all night.
Night Market & Local Vendors
A full marketplace featuring local food, desserts, crafts, Parlor Doughnuts merchandise, and specialty goods—perfect for browsing between music sets and contest rounds.
Why This Festival Is a Must for Venice & Southwest Florida
Florida strawberries deserve their own celebration, and this family-friendly festival delivers flavor, fun, and community connection. Designed to become an annual Venice tradition, it blends dessert, competition, live music, and local shopping in a relaxed island atmosphere.
Whether you’re competing, cheering, dancing, or shopping, there’s something sweet for everyone. Early arrival is recommended, especially for those joining the eating contest or exploring the full vendor lineup.
Get Involved & Stay Updated
Register now for the Strawberry Shortcake Speed Eating Contest or mark your calendar to attend.
For inquiries, contact Paul Kaldy at 941-667-0183 or info@gbackmedia.com.
Follow Venice Nights for updates, photos, and announcements.
Save the date: March 14, 2026 — let’s make the First Annual Strawberry Shortcake Festival the sweetest night in Venice! 🍓🍩🎶