Al Berry has always liked to keep busy, especially if he’s helping out in the Plant City community.
His schedule’s about to get even busier in the coming months, thanks to some award selections and a new gig at the Florida Strawberry Festival.
Berry, 79, is set to receive the Boy Scouts’ Dean Snyder Soaring Eagle Community Service Award Thursday, Feb. 19. On March 26, he’ll accept the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center’s Heritage Award. Both awards reflect Berry’s long-standing commitment to service in Plant City, though the man himself says that he wasn’t expecting any of this.
“It all came kind of as a surprise,” Berry said. “You grow up in a community and you just get involved in it. You don’t do it for awards, or things like that. I just feel like I was expected to participate and be a part of the community. I just love it.”
Born and raised in Plant City, Berry graduated from Plant City High and attended Texas Western College before returning to Florida, finishing his education at the University of Tampa. With his wife of 60 years, Patsy Darlene Davidson, Berry has three children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
By sight, Berry may be best known as a director for the Florida Strawberry Festival for 43 years. He’s donned the famous red coat, as well as the famous “Mr. Berry” costume, doing whatever he can to lend a hand.
By voice, longtime residents know Berry as the silky smooth voice of the WPLA radio station, which he co-owned and worked at for 34 years.
In 1998, he was named the city’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year. He’s served as president of the Strawberry Festival, Plant City Lions Club, Dover Civic Club and the Plant City Band Parents Association, and was even named the city’s Civil Defense Director during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War.
Currently, Berry remains active in the Lions Club and serves as a director emeritus for the Strawberry Festival. On March 2, he’ll serve as the Grand Parade Marshal for the first time. He’s also been helping the Greater Plant City Chamber with video work, serving on the Contact Breakfast Committee and more.
“I always have something in the fire, so to speak,” he said. “I think it’s what keeps me going.”
Whether it’s donning the “Mr. Berry” costume, emceeing the Strawberry Queen Competition or lending wisdom and a helping hand to whichever organization needs it, one can expect to see Berry getting to work as long as there’s something to be done, whether he’ll get an award for it or not.
“I never anticipated anything like this,” Berry said. “I see people every year, and I support them, but I never thought that it would come my way. I certainly am appreciative of it.”
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.