This year’s Florida Strawberry Festival may not have all of the big-name headline entertainment of years past, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you want to see a good show.
BREANNE WILLIAMS
Yes, the headline entertainment was canceled this year out of an abundance of caution. However, the Florida Strawberry Festival upped the ante when it came to making sure there was plenty of entertainment throughout the grounds to keep folks smiling and making memories with their families.
The festival is requiring social distancing at events so make sure you get to a show early if you are wanting to attend.
The majority of the bands that are coming to the stage have already developed a loyal following in the community thanks to their appearance at Krazy Kup, a coffee house in downtown that prides itself on bringing high quality entertainment to the community year round in its music loft. If you want to see any of the bands, whether they be “What Remains,” “The Descendants,” “Unpainted Souls, or any of the many other offerings make sure you get there early to ensure you get a seat.
Circus Incredible, which runs daily at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and is sponsored by Visions of Outdoor Living is an on the grounds show that is sure to offer a daring adventure. The group is made up of 2nd, 7th and 8th generation circus performers and features a member of the famous Wallenda family of performers.You’re guaranteed to see some jaw dropping acts, mesmerizing routines and thrilling feats of strength.
One of the most anticipated events this year is the Florida Strawberry Festival Talent Show. The first round was on Feb. 28 at the Industry in Plant City. The second round is March 6 at 6 p.m. at the festival and the third round will be March 13 at the festival. The competition will be a great way to check out the local talent and perhaps discover your new favorite star.
HOLA Plant City! Is a classic show that has long packed the house at the festival. It will close out the festival on March 14 starting at 6 p.m. and is always a performance that I will go out of my way to watch. It’s fun, it’s filled with fantastic music and the energy is going to send this festival out with a bang.
JUSTIN KLINE
Gospel Night with Pastor Calvin “Pee Wee” Callins is always an uplifting experience where the passion radiating from the stage is unmistakable. Callins is a local pastor (at Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries) and a longtime recording artist whose music you can find on major streaming services now. In fact, he just released a new single called “Till the World” last week. Check it out on your preferred streaming service and then go see the live show for yourself. If gospel’s your jam, you won’t be disappointed.
That’s been a staple of the festival’s entertainment lineup for a while now and many old favorites are back at it again for 2021. But the festival also booked a lot of new shows for this year. I can’t vouch for every new band or artist, as this will be the first time I’ve seen or listened to many of them, but there are a couple I can speak on.
Sick Hot should be a good time for all you classic rock fans out there. They’ve got the vintage bluesy ‘70s sound down pat for their original tunes and also do covers very well. I’m not missing that show if I can help it.
You’ll have a lot of chances to see Born Lonesome play in the Entenmann’s Showcase Tent. If you like bluegrass, you should take one. It’s an acoustic group with a heavy country blues influence that’s been around for just about two years now and plays shows in Plant City fairly often.
When you want nothing but good vibes, you can’t beat ska and reggae. The Detectives, who hail from nearby Lakeland, are bringing their blend of live, love and friendship to Plant City twice for the festival. They very well could be two of the most fun shows to attend of this year’s lineup.