Although the strawberry traces its domestic history back to Brittany, France, during the late 18th century, it’s certainly taken root in a Texas city named Poteet.
Located approximately 25 miles South of San Antonio down Texas Highway 16, the city was once the home of Henry and Ida Mumme, one of the first families to settle in Poteet and invest in the development of the community. In 1918, at the San Antonio Produce Market, Henry befriended a renowned strawberry farmer named Gustav Aigner. Two years later, Aigner relocated his family to Poteet and began cultivating strawberries there. He grew the berries so successfully guests from San Antonio were invited to sample the newfound sweet, red treats.
A headline in the San Antonio Express read, “Crimson Berries Beckon Hungry Tourists to Poteet.” The town now had its claim to fame and was swiftly dubbed the “Strawberry Capital of Texas.”
Helen Franklin was crowned the city’s Strawberry Queen in 1949.
Strawberries continued to thrive in the agriculturally rich climate of Poteet during the 1920s and 1930s. During World War II, many area farmers were taken away from their fields to defend their county. Upon the return of these veterans, the community saw a need for an incentive to encourage farming again. The Poteet Rotary Club founded the first official Poteet Strawberry Festival in April of 1948 for this very reason. The festival was a huge success, with over 5,000 people coming to taste the delicious berries.
The famous berries and festival garnered the attention and adoration of people from across the state and nation. Since the festival’s conception, local growers work tirelessly to produce and showcase the finest berries in the United States. The luscious berries can be identified by their boxes, which read “Fresh Produce — Poteet, Texas,” so festival-goers know they’re experiencing the authentic, sweet Poteet strawberry. Local growers are also invited to sell their berries on “Growers Row” on the festival grounds. Growers vie for highest honors, with the top flats being auctioned off.
Left Tyler Stewart of Poteet wins first place in the food contest for his mini strawberry cheesecake monkey breads. Right Leonard Jr. and his wife Irma, of Sanchez Family Farms, on Growers Row.
The festival, traditionally held the second weekend in April, is something the whole family can enjoy. Over 30 community groups and charitable organizations participate in the festival to raise money by selling food — with many dishes containing Poteet strawberries. In addition, you can experience concerts by nationally known countyn and Tejano stars, regional bands, a carnival, parade, food contest, rodeo performances and more.
While the primary focus is to promote the Poteet strawberry, festival proceeds also go to scholarships for Poteet youth. The festival has a major impact, with more than 100,000 people each year pouring upwards of $10 million back into the economy.
Seventeenth-century English writer Dr. William Butler once said of the strawberry, “Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did.”
Strawberries are the best of the berries — we agree. And the best way to experience this marvelous treat is to visit Poteet, the “Strawberry Capital of Texas,” and enjoy this locally grown treasure in person.
