The past year was full of change for Plant City. The Strawberry Festival built a new grandstand for concerts, final candidates were selected for the city manager position and District 58 received a new representative after Lawrence McClure won a special election to replace retired Rep. Dan Raulerson.
Plant City underwent immense growth, literally and metaphorically, throughout this whirlwind of a year. Just in the past month the city grew by 162 acres after the city commission approved the voluntary annexation of eight parcels of land owned by members of the Astin family south of Johnson Road and east of Sam Astin Road.
Several local churches and organizations have practically doubled in size and as the year progressed new and more elaborate fundraisers brought in immense amounts of funds to pour back into the community.
Empty Bowls, a fundraiser for the United Food Bank of Plant City, had one of its highest attendances ever. Free Rider Fellowship created a “Give and Take Box” to anonymously provide food and funds for those in need. A former Marine Corps Captain helped the 72-year-old neighbor she rescued when a tree crushed her house during Hurricane Irma.
Despite being struck by a massive hurricane, shake-ups in city hall with the sudden departure of Mike Herr and another delay in the fight to develop midtown, the city is moving forward. A new year means there are endless possibilities for making memories that will last a lifetime. New events, programs and leaders in the city will take us down an untrodden path.
While it may be more comfortable to remain locked in the past, great possibilities await a community willing to take chances and continue to innovate. But let’s bring 2017 to a close by reminiscing over the beloved instants spent bettering ourselves and our community. The Strawberry Festival’s theme for 2018 is “Building New Memories,” a motto we should all carry with us into the new year. Life is short, so we should strive to fill it as full of cherished moments as possible.