Florida Strawberry Festival attendance released
The Florida Strawberry Festival announced Monday its 2019 attendance figure, and it’s a record high.
Nearly 563,000 people attended the 11-day event in 2019 according to festival president Paul Davis. It’s also the highest attendance figure for the festival since 560,467 visitors turned out in 2016
“This year’s attendance was one for the books,” Davis said. “We are so
fortunate to be able to celebrate this accomplishment with our community. We
attribute our success to the hundreds of volunteers and patrons who come each
year to share in the harvest of what makes Plant City so special.”
Belle City Amusements, Inc. reported a 12 percent increase in sales from 2018, and Davis said it was the largest-attended midway to date. Local law enforcement agencies reported only five arrests in the 11-day span.
“We work hard to bring a fresh Festival experience to our guests year after
year,” Davis said. “This year our preparations paid off. It was a hit.”
’Youth Explosion’ at Ellis Park
Dream Team Basketball Inc, and Exploring the Dream of our Youth will host a free “Youth Explosion” event this Saturday afternoon.
The first annual event will be held at Marie B. Ellis Park, 603 E. Laura St., from 1 to 5 p.m. and is meant to celebrate Ellis’s legacy by giving kids a free afternoon of food, fun and more. There will be guest speakers, giveaways and games on hand.
WUSF seeking PC residents for project
WUSF was selected as one of six public media stations in the nation to participate in the “One Small Step” project, where people from differing political backgrounds are interviewed about the roots of their beliefs. The station is looking for any Plant City residents willing to participate.
“Our nation is divided,” StoryCorps founder Dave Isay said in a news release. “Much of what is driving that division is fear, and a lack of understanding and empathy for those with whom we don’t agree. We hope that One Small Step will provide a beacon of hope during these difficult and divided days.”
Interviews will be recorded and stored in the Library of Congress and may be shared on multiple media platforms. WUSF is looking to record at least 25 paired interviews and is hoping to find people with all kinds of political beliefs. Those interested in participating can visit WUSF online at www.wusf.usf.edu and click on the “One Small Step” tile for more information.
Atlas Aviation to host open house, ribbon cutting at airport
Plant City Airport is getting ready to welcome Atlas Aviation on its grounds this weekend.
Atlas Aviation became the airport’s new Fixed Base Operator on March 1 as part of a contract it signed with the Peter O. Knight Airport in Tampa, Atlas’s home airport. At Plant City Airport, Atlas is also implementing its flight school.
The open house will let the public come out and meet the Atlas team and learn about who they are and what they do. There will be aircraft on display and free food available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 23. There will also be a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The event is free for anyone to attend, but Atlas requests anyone planning on coming sends an RSVP online in advance. To RSVP, visit PCMopenhouse.eventbrite.com.
For more information, call 813-752-4710.