The sun had just set. But a soft glow from the box office at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds illuminated the first five parties in line for show tickets, Dec. 4.
It’s the first year the festival has left the lights on for their No. 1 fans. The eager bunch would have to wait out the night for the office to open in the morning.
An army cot was set up in the corner. Dwight Danley has had the cot since his days in the U.S. Army. He was prepared to sleep overnight to score the best seats to Josh Turner, among other artists.
“I get plenty of sleep,” Danley said. “Lord, the weather is decent. I’ve been here a couple of years when it’s freezing.”
Danley has a little help from his sister-in-law, Kim Polo. She stays for a couple hours then goes to watch his dog.
But, it’s Danley who makes it through the night. Nicknamed by the other fans as “Red Solo Cup,” Danley said he had a heater with a gas tank ready to go in his garage. After five years of camping out, he knows what to expect.
“It would have been here,” Danley said.
And although he was prepared to stay warm, another camper is better known for her hot gear.
Debbie Deanna gets playfully teased as the “Heater Lady.” This year, she hoped to get seats to Little Big Town and The Band Perry.
“Mom’s like, ‘You sure you want to go camp out again?’” Deanna said. “But after 15 years, of course. It’s the warmest year.”
Danley and Deanna came prepared, but they weren’t as quick to get in line as Elizabeth Roberts and her daughter, Stephanie Spangler. The duo was munching on take-out from Applebee’s and sitting snugly in their lawn chairs at the front of the line.
Together, they have camped out for six years. The first year, Spangler is six months pregnant with her daughter, Emma.
“I was scared I was going to go into labor during the show,” Spangler said about her memories of the Jason Aldean concert.
This year, their dream lineup includes Rascal Flatts, Easton Corbin, Dustin Lynch and Lee Brice, among others. They buy the tickets for their family, as well as themselves.
“It’s our thing,” Roberts said. “We like all of (the performers). That’s why we camp out.”
But not all are prepared to spend the night. Jessica Bice and her son, Tre’ Ragan, scored the fourth position in line. Ragan didn’t mind the excitement. However, he wasn’t willing to outlast the twilight hours with his mother.
“I’ve never done it before,” Ragan said.
“He thinks I’m crazy,” Bice said.
And even though Ragan was dreaming of sleeping on a soft pillow, a former Florida Strawberry Queen Court member wouldn’t be getting her beauty sleep. Chelsea Talavera was on the court last year. Her grandmother, Donna Elliot, had been begging her to come stake out for years. Elliot wanted to see Stix and Boyz 2 Men, because she’s seen everyone else. Talavera was in line for Lee Bryce.
“I like him,” Talavera said. “I’ve never seen him before.”
The first five parties are usually the first in line every year. But, they did say two other regulars were missing from the bunch, one nicknamed “The Camera Man.”
Others trickled in throughout the night. But most came around 5 a.m. Tickets don’t normally sell out; rather, the competition is to get the best seats in the house.
Years ago, there was a drive-thru line, in which patrons could pull up and get their tickets from the warmth of their cars.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
MEET THE LINE LEADERS
FIRST
Elizabeth Roberts and Stephanie Spangler
Years camping out: Six
SECOND
Debbie Deanna
Years camping out: 15
THIRD
Dwight Danley and Kim Polo
Years camping out: Five
FOURTH
Jessica Bice and Tre’ Ragan
Years camping out: Four
FIFTH
Who: Donna Elliot
Years camping out: 15
SIXTH
Chelsea Talavera
Years camping out: One