Dover native Kenzie Wheeler united a community Tuesday evening as hundreds poured into downtown Plant City in support of the young contestant during the finale of The Voice.
Cam Anthony of Team Blake Shelton ended up being crowned the winner of The Voice Tuesday night, but Wheeler received uproarious support from his home town when the Dover native, who has been on Team Kelly Clarkson, took home second place.
Chairs were set up bright and early Tuesday morning — a move most in the community recognize as a tried and true parade day tactic — and by 6:30 p.m., when the official Kenzie Wheeler Watch Party kicked off, the block was full of attendees. It was a community effort as the City of Plant City partnered with a variety of groups to quickly pull off the massive event.
Plant City Main Street, The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Plant City Right. Now., East Hillsborough Historical Society, Keel & Curley Winery at Keel Farms, Improvement League of Plant City, Plant City Parks & Recreation, Fryed Egg Productions, the Plant City EDC, Five 5 Entertainment and The Florida Opry all came together with the City to host the special occasion.
Plant City Police blocked off the several streets in downtown so attendees could safely camp out and walk around. Main Street estimates anywhere from 600 to 750 people were on site for the event. Most were on the street but several of the businesses on the block also streamed the show inside and drew packed houses of their own.