The 47th annual Florida Strawberry Festival Fashion Show & Luncheon had a record attendance of 645 guests.
Linda Walden was in her 30s the first time she worked the runway at the Florida Strawberry Festival’s inaugural Fashion Show & Luncheon, held in the basement of First Presbyterian Church.
She walked the runway in a yellow polyester dress from Hooker’s Department Store in downtown Plant City. She became an annual presence at the event, working with Wanda Nifong, managing the decorations or any other work that needed to be done.
When then-chairman (and fashion show founder) Catherine Clark came to her in 1990 with a request to step into the role as chairman, she said she’d try it out for a year.
That was 35 years ago.
“It’s been a long year but I can tell you but this has been a fun journey and I’ve been able to work with so many wonderful friends through the years,” said Walden, who announced her retirement at the 47th annual Fashion Show & Luncheon on Jan. 23. She will be handing the reigns over to her daughter and Florida Strawberry Festival (FSF) associate director Suzanne Cribbs. “I hope she’ll find me a seat out there in the audience,” she joked.
Walden was recognized by FSF chairman Danny Coton during his opening remarks and earned a well-deserved standing ovation from the hundreds of attendees. “Her hardworking leadership has elevated this event to one of the most anticipated events of the season,” he said.
From it’s humble beginnings (the event drew approximately 50 people its first year), this year’s event drew a record crowd as more than 645 people broke bread together and watched as 67 local models sported clothing and accessories sold at local boutiques. This year’s lineup of shops included: Denise Young’s Boutique, Fringe Boutique, RAOK Boutique, Sweet Roots Apparel, Russell’s Western Wear, Gifts Etc. at South Florida Baptist Hospital and Bridal by Crown.
“Our hometown stores always get in beautiful things for our models to choose from each year and we had an exciting runway of hometown folks in our hometown clothes,” said Walden. “This is such a fun day for family and friends to come together and enjoy a delicious lunch and a beautiful show.”
There were four generations of Walden’s family helping out with the show this year. Cribbs’ daughter, Caitlin Walker, helped with guest seating and the scripts. “My Mimi started as chairman a year before I was born so I’ve attended the fashion show every year,” she said. Continuing the family tradition, Walker’s two-year-old son Hudson was a model in this year’s show along with her aunt Lauren Ebert and her daughter Lilly.
Cribbs has worked alongside her mother for many years and will continue to flawlessly execute the timeless event. “I know I have big shoes to fill but I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “I know that mom’ll be there to help if I need it but I’m hoping she’ll be able to just enjoy the show.”
