HOMESTEAD — Many would agree that summer in South Florida is a perfect time to enjoy fresh tropical fruit.  In celebration of the summertime fruit season, the Fruit & Spice Park in Homestead is hosting the annual Redland Summer Fruit Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The event will feature local agriculture and tropical fruit plants on display and for sale, along with food vendors selling homemade tropical fruit smoothies and ice cream, conch fritters and other mouth-watering treats. A children’s area will feature the Little Farm Petting Zoo, pony rides, watermelon-eating contest, and other fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Fruit & Spice Park, located at 24801 SW 187th Ave. in Homestead, is operated by the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department.  The park grows more than 500 varieties of sub-tropical fruits, herbs, spices, vegetables, and nuts from around the world on 40 lush acres in the agricultural Redland. It also offers daily botanical tours, fruit tasting and naturalist-led workshops.

Admission is $8 per adult and free for children under age 12. For more information about Fruit & Spice Park, call 305-247-5727 or visit www.fruitandspicepark.org.