Ten competitors stuffed themselves with shortcake at the Florida Strawberry Festival Thursday, March 5, but only one of them ate his way to victory. Each contestant was given a four-pound shortcake, created by volunteers from St. Clement Catholic Church in Plant City. Whoever had consumed the most shortcake within a 10-minute period would be declared […]
Continue ReadingFlorida Strawberry Festival
PHOTO GALLERY: Reader Pics
We asked our readers to send us their best snapshots of the Florida Strawberry Festival. We’re featuring the best in our online gallery. With three more days of the festival to go, it’s not too late to send us your pictures for a chance to be featured. Email Editor Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com. If you’re […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: 2015 Steer Show
The biggest livestock at the Florida Strawberry Festival took center stage on Wednesday, March 4, for the Steer Show. Dozens of young competitors lobbied for their chance to bring home a trophy for having the biggest, best bovine in the livestock arena. Results from the event will be posted after they’re made available.
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Honoring American Heroes
Before the Craig Morgan concert on Wednesday, March 4, the Florida Strawberry Festival took some time to honor America’s heroes. Members of the military and first responders were celebrated before the show with a video, a presentation by the Plant City High School ROTC and the Redhead Express band, and more.
Continue ReadingFormer resident shares memories of 1930 Strawberry Festival
Former Plant City resident Bill Adams has some treasured gems from the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World’s most cherished traditions. Adams found photographs and a program booklet in his mother’s things and has preserved them and their memories. And he wants to share them with the town of his roots: Looking through some of […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: 2015 Lamb Costume Contest
On Tuesday, March 3, the Livestock Arena at the Florida Strawberry Festival was full of dragons, army tanks, Chick-fil-A cows and more. Well, sort of. The Lamb Show and Costume Contest saw dozens of kids and their sheep dress to impress, competing in categories such as “Most Creative,” “Funniest Costume” and more.
Continue ReadingLight pole falls into children at festival
A small light pole fell into two children on a ride at the Florida Strawberry Festival Sunday afternoon. The spotlight was anchored to the perimeter rail at its top and base with clamps at the clown ride. The rides are inspected by a bureau of Florida’s Department of Agriculture at the beginning of the festival. […]
Continue ReadingNeighborhood Village non-perishable category winners announced
Officials at the Florida Strawberry Festival’s Neighborhood Village announced today the grand champion winners in its non-perishables category. The non-perishables category includes quilts, home décor, clothing, accessories, needlework, toys, dolls and knitting, crocheting, tatting, and scrapbooking items, all of which are entered by citizens of Plant City and surrounding communities. Other categories in competition at […]
Continue ReadingWinners announced for Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
Major League Eating made its way to the Florida Strawberry Festival last night to host a qualifying event for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Nathan Biller from Wichita Falls, Texas, better known as “Nasty Nate Biller,” won the men’s competition by eating 23 hot dogs, and Mary Bowers from Dana Point, Calif. won […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Grand Parade part 2
From pageant queens to funny clowns, the Florida Strawberry Festival Grand Parade had something for everyone. The almost two-hour parade trekked through downtown and ended at the festival.
Continue Reading
