On Tuesday, dozens of people gathered at Stingray Chevrolet to see owners Steve and Susan Hurley hand off the key fob for the $90,370 Corvette 2LT Convertible they donated for the Strawberry Festival New Corvette Giveaway. “I like to say it’s always a great day in Plant City,” Mayor Nate Kilton said when he was […]
Continue ReadingFlorida Strawberry Festival
THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL OFFERED COMPETITIONS
The 11-day Florida Strawberry Festival had entertaining competitions galore, from lamb jumping, to animal costuming, to stemming strawberries, to diaper decorating, to art, to eating fast and furiously. The Festival had every kind of fair food you can think of. Any walk through the Festival would come across hundreds of common eaters. But there were […]
Continue ReadingWE HAVE A WINNER!
For the first time in the history of holding the Florida Strawberry Festival New Corvette Giveaway, there was drama added to drawing the ticket and announcing the winner’s name. Before the drawing, the ticket hopper was turned many times. Raffle officials pulled a teenaged girl from the crowd, instructed her to reach deep into the […]
Continue ReadingEXHIBITS EVERYWHERE AT THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Guests at the Florida Strawberry Festival had tons of options for entertainment and education. In terms of farm life, there were exhibits of swine, steers, poultry, rabbits, beef breeds, lambs, dairy, steers, and horticulture. Different days offered shows of these farm animals in arenas on the Festival grounds. One of the exhibits connected people to […]
Continue ReadingSIDESHOWS GOT TALENT
Many headline entertainers are scheduled to perform at the Strawberry Festival on the Wish Farms Soundstage. But scattered throughout the Festival are smaller venues packed with highly enjoyable talent. These shows are included in with the ticket prices, and give visitors a lot more bang for the buck. The following acts are some of the […]
Continue ReadingSTRAWBERRY FESTIVAL PARADE WAS LARGEST SINCE COVID PANDEMIC
“This year’s parade was a great success,” Gail Domedion, President of BerryFine Productions, Inc., said. “I am so thankful it was safe and fun, and I hope everyone enjoyed our city and the celebration of the Festival. The attendance this year was the largest since Covid! The parade stretched for about two miles as […]
Continue ReadingMother-Daughter Duo Celebrates Six Sweet Years of Cookie Success at Florida Strawberry Festival
For six years, the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cookies has drawn crowds to one particular stand at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Behind the “sweet success” of the Cookie Barn is a mother-daughter duo with an unusual twist- only one of them knows the recipes. Head baker Stacy McDowell has been crafting her signature cookies […]
Continue ReadingSPECIAL SMILES DAY DOUBLES IN SIZE THIS YEAR
Nearly everone who works for the Strawberry Festival, and the volunteers who help Festival-goers, say their favorite thing at the Festival is Special Smiles Day. Friday kicked off with the morning adapted for special needs kids. For this annual event, the Strawberry Festival turns off sounds and lights to accommodate those who are unable to […]
Continue ReadingSTRAWBERRY FESTIVAL GOVERNOR’S LUNCHEON TOOK PLACE ON MONDAY
On Monday, the Florida Strawberry Festival held its annual Governor’s Luncheon at the Trinkle Center on the Hillsborough Community College campus in Plant City. After the lunch, a law enforcement honor guard marched in with the U.S. and Florida flags. Pew Wee Callins, pastor of Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries, gave an invocation, followed by […]
Continue ReadingAnnistyn Faith Griffin says Farewell
Photo courtesy of Jose Lozoya My greatest honor has truly been representing not only the festival, but the entire Plant City Community. Since childhood, the festival has always been a part of my life. The eleven days each year remind me of why Plant City is so special. I genuinely believe the Florida Strawberry Festival […]
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