After one of the most unique years in recent memory due to COVID-19, Plant City sprung into January with the Strawberry Festival on the horizon despite lingering evidence of our “new normal.”
To kick off strawberry season, Kristi Grooms – daughter of famed Fancy Farms founders Carl and Dee Grooms – opened the doors to the family’s newest venture, the Fancy Farms Market. As the month rolled on, the Junior Royalty Pageant was held and Bridget Mae McLaughlin was named the 2021 Junior Royalty Queen. The Junior Royalty Pageant was followed by the Strawberry Queen’s Pageant where McKenna Jordan was named Queen, along with First Maid Avery Surrency and court members KellieAnne Kirkland, Brynne Murphy and Kate Turner.
But not all was back to normal as it was announced that Plant City’s 35th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade, drumline, street festival and leadership breakfast had been postponed until April.
In sports, the Plant City Dolphins watched as three of their youth football teams earned a spot in the Tri County Youth Football and Cheer Conference Superbowl, with the Mighty Mite and PeeWee teams coming away champions at the end of the month.