In Plant City strawberries aren’t simply a crop grown by many local farmers, they’re a way of life.
The Florida Strawberry Festival highlights the local adoration for the sweet fruit with the annual Florida Strawberry Festival Fashion Show and Luncheon. This year nearly 100 local residents modeled clothing from RAOK Boutique, Denise Young Boutique, Fringe Boutique, Sweet Southern Sass Boutique, Southside Western and Outdoor Wear, Hardee’s Fashion, Jessi Rae Bridal and the South Florida Baptist Hospital Gift Shop.
The Junior Royalty Court and the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court also showed off their pageant winning gowns on the red carpeted runway.
Virginia Johnson, a reporter with Bay News 9, was the mistress of ceremonies, detailing the posh outfits and interweaving the commentary with sharp witticisms.
Nearly 600 guests enjoyed a catered dinner featuring southern style chicken salad and a croissant, pasta salad, spring mix salad with strawberries, mini cheesecake topped with glazed fruit and fresh brewed coffee and tea. Several lucky attendees also walked away with flats of fresh strawberries.