Plant City looks to be much more lively in 2014.
Following February’s first Railfest at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, Special Events Manager Deanna Hurley plans to roll out a new event every month in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. If everything goes according to plan, it won’t just be downtown reaping the benefits: When complete, the new Midtown area will see plenty of action, as well.
“Our hope is that the downtown core will see a new influx of visitors in the businesses, restaurants, parks and other amenities,” City Manager Greg Horwedel said. “The special events will remind the residents and expose the visitors to the wonderful attributes of downtown and midtown.”
Hurley, who assumed the role of special events manager in December, has been hard at work bringing new ideas to the table and engaging with the community through social media.
Although the event calendar is not yet complete — only two big events have been set in stone — there are already a few things for residents and visitors to look forward to in the upcoming summer months.
FOOD TRUCK FRENZY
The first of two big events is the Food Truck Round-Up, to be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 16, at McCall Park. The city will partner with the Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally to bring vendors, from Plant City and beyond, to the park to whet more than a few appetites.
“Food trucks have become incredibly popular in the Tampa Bay area,” said Michael Blasco, CEO of Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally. “Food truck rallies occur regularly in Tampa, Lakeland, St. Pete and other communities. We are really excited to partner with Plant City to bring a rally downtown.”
According to Hurley, the trucks will line up on Drane Street — which will be closed from Evers Street to Palmer Street — and the location will allow hungry visitors to bring chairs and blankets to enjoy a nice meal outdoors.
NO MEN ALLOWED
The second planned event, Girls’ Night Out, will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 11, and will focus the attention on Plant City’s downtown retail shops. Downtown businesses will stay open later than, and some even will offer special promotions and activities for the occasion.
“The goal for this event is to promote downtown businesses, to provide an alternative for ladies to hang out instead of going to the mall or to the movies,” Hurley said.
Hurley currently is in communication with several salons, boutiques and other businesses to encourage participation. Downtown’s newest eatery, Top Shelf Sports Bar, will be open by July and already has pledged to host a special promotion that night. The Art Lounge has committed to staying open for the event, and Hillary Jackson, with Mary Kay, will have a station providing facials, makeovers and other more.
There will also be a raffle, with one a simple entry fee: Every $10 spent at local businesses will translate to one entry.
“The more money you spend, the greater your chance of winning the raffle,” Hurley said. “We’re not sure what the prizes will be, or what charity we’re going to work with, but there will definitely be a raffle.”
Originally, this event was scheduled for next month. But, a series of scheduling conflicts, including Plant City’s annual Relay for Life, happening on the same day, convinced Hurley to reschedule her event.
Beyond Girls’ Night Out, the event schedule is still a work in progress, but Hurley will provide information and promote events on the City of Plant City Special Events Facebook page as more details become available.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
If you are interested in Plant City’s upcoming special events, visit the City of Plant City Special Events Facebook page, facebook.com/plantcityspecialevents, or contact Deanna Hurley at events@plantcitygov.com or (813) 659-4200, Ext. 4101.
WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
If you are a food truck vendor looking to get involved with May’s Food Truck Round-Up, contact Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally CEO Michael Blasco, on his company’s website, tampabayfoodtruckrally.com/contact.