GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Sam Gilbert’s attention was divided between approaching tractor-trailers and the hundreds of guests pouring into last Sunday’s Strawberry Fest at the Clay County Fairgrounds.

One of the largest crowds in the festival’s eight-year history kept his sellers at a frantic pace near the front entrance. Based on Saturday’s sales, he desperately called for another semi to bring another load of fresh berries from Plant City. His fears were pacified when another truckload arrived around noon.

But the extra load still wasn’t enough. The final pallet of the luscious achenes was gone by 3:15 p.m.

Font said Saturday’s sales exceeded their expectations.

“Sam sold so many strawberries on Saturday,” she said. “What we’ve done in the past was blown out of the water.”

The number of visitors was also surprisingly high.

“We saw some big increase in numbers from last year,” said June Font, a manager with festival promoter Buckler Promotions. “We’re still going through all the numbers, but we had a great two days. Last year, we had 16,000 (people), and we certainly beat that this year.”

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said as many as 4,000 cars drove on and off the property between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 2.

“They did a great job getting folks in and out,” she said.

The forecast wasn’t promising ahead of the annual event. Rain was expected all weekend, but nearly 18,000 were greeted by two sun-splashed days of games, carnival foods, a petting zoo and vendors that stretched from one side of the parking lot to the other.

“We were really blessed to have great weather,” Font said. “This one was certainly up there compared to other festivals.”

Buckler Promotions will be back at the fairgrounds on the final weekend of next January with its BBQ, Bacon and Brews Fest.