What is one of your most cherished memories from the Florida Strawberry Festival? The year I showed my first steer, Bam Bam. We walked into the show ring, I was nervous, he was nervous. He wouldn’t set up his feet right, he wouldn’t stand still. He was acting a fool. But, it was a lot […]
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Court Member: Kellen Morris
What are you looking forward to the most as a member of the court? I am excited to walk down the streets of the festival. As a kid, that was my most exciting thing, to see the court and the queen walk around with everybody else. Were you nervous during the pageant? Absolutely. I was […]
Continue ReadingFirst Maid: Deanna Rodriguez
How did you feel when they announced that you had been selected as first maid? I was just so excited and so lucky to be on the court and have a great year with the girls. Who is someone you want to thank for support and encouragement? I definitely have to thank my mom, because […]
Continue Reading2015 Strawberry Queen: Samantha Sun
Even before she was announced the 2015 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen, Samantha Sun stood in the center of the newly established court of five, her emerald green dress matching the brilliance of a charismatic smile that wowed the judges from the start. It was as if it was her natural place in the hierarchy of […]
Continue ReadingTaking the Stage
Meet some of the artists scheduled to perform at the 2015 Florida Strawberry Festival. HUNTER HAYES WHEN: 7:30 p.m. March 1 TICKETS: $40 When you play 30 instruments — as singer-guitarist Hunter Hayes did on his self-titled debut album — time can slip away from you in the studio “Easily, 16-hour days are not a […]
Continue ReadingSecrets of ‘The Palace’
Being royalty is a lot of work, especially if you’re the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen or a member of her court. Between the meet-and-greets, big-name concerts and other festivities, the Strawberry Festival royals need some downtime. That’s why they have a hidden place on the festival grounds, known as “The Palace,” where they can relax […]
Continue ReadingSweet Shopper: Get you Florida Strawberry Festival trinkets
Among the hundreds of vendors at the Strawberry Festival, there are a number of booths where festival goers will find souvenirs that were made or designed right in Plant City. From apparel to art, and everything in between, you are sure to find the perfect gift for someone back home, or something by which you […]
Continue ReadingPigging Out: A guide to Florida Strawberry Festival eating contests
It’s been almost exactly a year since I’ve eaten a strawberry shortcake. That’s not a knock on the food itself, which is delicious, but a psychological effect that’s held over since I tried my first eating competition at last year’s Florida Strawberry Festival. You guessed it — the eating contest I entered was a strawberry […]
Continue ReadingBizarre Foods: What to eat at the Florida Strawberry Festival
No one comes to the Florida Strawberry Festival without sampling the local favorites: strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie and the works. There’s more food tucked away in this little part of Plant City than most people know about, and many of the items are quite good. But some of the offerings that one can get on […]
Continue ReadingShortcake Showcase
There are three main vendors of strawberry shortcake at the festival, and here’s why you should save room for all of them. St. Clement Catholic Church St. Clement is the oldest and largest shortcake operation at the festival. It is also the only vendor that allows customers to build their own shortcake. The church began selling shortcake […]
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