The first music fan, Cape Coral resident Deanna Mather, arrived at the Florida Strawberry Festival’s box office last Thursday night with her husband John in tow. The couple quickly assembled their camping gear, prepared to hunker down for a week of waiting, weathering some rainy and cool conditions, until the Florida Strawberry Festival’s concert tickets went on sale.
Later that day, other eager fans began to arrive, their camping gear in tow.
Second in line was local realtor Tammy Chancey followed by Donna Elliott.
“We play games, do word search books, watch TikTok, take pics and it’s fun,” said Mather, who has been making the annual trek to Plant City to camp out at the festival grounds for more than a decade.
For Elliott, it’s as much about the experience as the concerts. “We’re making memories,” she said.
Jessica McDaniel has been camping out for tickets with her son, Tre’ Ragan, since he was seven. Ragan, 21, who attends college at the University of Florida, had to drive back to Gainesville to take a final exam, but quickly came back to claim his place in line next to his mom. Two of his childhood friends have also been camping out for tickets.
“His friends wanted him to buy tickets for them but he told them no and to come out and camp with him,” said McDaniel.
The trio have been living in luxury, as far as camping goes, whiling away the hours by playing video games on an elaborate set-up in their tent.
Electricity, and a porta potty, was provided for the die-hard fans by the Florida Strawberry Festival. On Tuesday, folks from the festival came out and passed out swag from the artists playing at this year’s festival. One person scored a Foreigner CD and DVD. One person was given a Cody Johnson t-shirt. Another received an Oak Ridge Boys hat.
The concert tickets in demand for the group include The Oak Ridge Boys, Foreigner and Gene Watson. Ragan wants tickets to see Cody Johnson and Riley Green.
Kyle Robinson, Florida Strawberry Festival President, regularly checked in on the campers to make the their experience as pleasant as possible. “Our festival fans that camp out each year are some of our most loyal and dedicated guests and it is a tradition amongst friends,” he said.
Sunday’s rain didn’t ruin the mood, he said. “Their excitement wasn’t dampened in the least,” he said. “They’re ready to get the best tickets available for all of our 19 concerts.”
Tickets went on sale Dec. 7 at 8 a.m. at flstrawberryfestival.com, over the phone at 813-754-1996 or in-person at 2209 W. Oak Ave.