Every April, Poteet's population swells as visitors pour in for the Poteet Strawberry Festival: the town's signature event since the 1940s, with 2026 marking the 79th annual festival. Fresh berries, carnival rides, live music on multiple stages and rows of arts, crafts and food vendors make it one of South Texas's best-loved weekends.
Behind every booth is a pile of gear that has to live somewhere the other 51 weeks of the year. Here's how vendors, volunteers and local families use storage to make festival season easier.
For vendors: keep your booth ready to roll
What to store
- Canopies, weights and sidewalls
- Folding tables, chairs and display racks
- Signage and banners
- Non-perishable inventory and packaging
- Generators, drained of fuel
- Coolers and serving equipment (cleaned and fully dry)
Which unit
Most single-booth vendors fit everything in a 5x10. If you also run a trailer or food cart, a 10x15 or 10x20 drive-up unit lets you back right up to the door, or you can park the trailer itself in an open parking space. If you sell candles, soaps, cosmetics, baked-good packaging, art or anything that melts or warps, choose climate control.
For volunteers and organizations
Parade committees, church groups, schools and clubs accumulate decorations, costumes and supplies. A shared unit gives everyone 24/7 access, no more tracking down whoever has the garage key the night before setup.
- Label bins by event and year
- Keep a shared inventory list in a group chat or spreadsheet
- Store costumes and fabric in climate control to avoid mildew
For families hosting guests
Festival weekend often means relatives on the couch and RVs in the yard. Temporarily clearing out a spare room or the garage into a small unit makes hosting a lot more comfortable.
Book early: Small units and drive-up units go fast in the weeks leading up to the festival. Reserve online now and lock in today's price.
Packing checklist for event gear
- Clean and dry everything before storing, moisture plus heat equals mildew.
- Never store fuel, propane tanks or open food.
- Stand canopies and poles upright along the back wall.
- Stack tables flat on pallets or a tarp.
- Keep the stuff you'll need first right by the door.
Learn more about the festival at poteetstrawberryfestival.com.
A vendor's year-round storage calendar
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| January–February | Inventory supplies, repair canopies, order packaging. Reserve your unit if you don't have one. |
| March | Stage everything by the unit door in the order you'll load it. |
| April (festival) | Load the night before. 24/7 gate access means no rush. |
| Late April–May | Clean and dry everything before it goes back in. Toss anything damaged. |
| Summer–fall | Reuse the same gear for county fairs, Cowboy Homecoming, the Peanut Festival and holiday markets. |
Save money by sharing
Two or three vendors or a club can split a 10x10 or 10x15, as long as one person is the renter of record. Use labeled shelving zones for each person and keep a shared key log.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Poteet Strawberry Festival?
The festival is held every April in Poteet. Check poteetstrawberryfestival.com for this year's exact dates and tickets.
What size storage unit do I need for a vendor booth?
Most single-booth vendors fit in a 5x10. Add a drive-up 10x15 if you also have a trailer or cart.
Can I store a generator in a storage unit?
Only with the fuel completely drained. Never store gas cans or propane tanks.
Ready to grab a unit?
See live prices and move-in specials, then rent online in about five minutes. Free lock at move-in, 24/7 gate access.
