Just weeks after opening its doors to students in January, Rick Lott Technical College is already rolling into the spotlight. Students enrolled in building trades and construction technology, welding and electricity programs, debuted a 16-foot, bright red float in the Florida Strawberry Festival Grand Parade, transforming a rusty trailer into a showcase of skill, teamwork, […]
Continue ReadingLongtime Plant City Commissioner Announces He Won’t Seek Re-Election
Wearing a strawberry-patterned tie—a nod to the community he calls home—longtime City Commissioner Mike Sparkman officially announced at Monday night’s commission meeting that he will not seek reelection to the Plant City City Commission, closing the book on decades of public service in the town where his family’s roots run seven generations deep. Sparkman—who has […]
Continue ReadingPlant City City Manager Named Parade Marshal of Florida Strawberry Festival Grand Parade
Bill McDaniel has been named the distinguished parade marshal of the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival Grand Parade, an honor parade organizers said reflects decades of leadership, service, and commitment to the community. Berry Fine Productions, Inc., which organizes the annual parade, announced McDaniel’s selection as part of preparations for the 2026 festival. The festival’s theme, […]
Continue ReadingFestival Royalty Takes the Spotlight
The 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and her court were all smiles as they gathered with family and festival leaders for the unveiling of the updated queen’s exhibit, an annual tradition that preserves the pageant’s history while celebrating its former and current royalty. The exhibit, located inside the Milton E. Hull Building (also known as […]
Continue ReadingFrom Baby Parade Winner to Trailblazer: One Woman Reflects on Breaking Barriers
Long before she became a minister’s wife, school bus driver, and Christian author, Alicia Shephard was a toddler crossing a stage in lace socks and a handmade gown, unaware she was making local history. In the early 1970s, during a time of racial transition across the South, Shephard, then Alicia Burch, became the first Black […]
Continue ReadingLonestar Brings Hit-Filled Live Show to Florida Strawberry Festival
pping hits and a reputation for unforgettable live shows, Lonestar is set to bring its signature blend of country heart and rock-and-roll energy to the Florida Strawberry Festival’s Wish Soundstage Sat., Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m. The multi-award-winning band best known for timeless songs like “Amazed,” “I’m Already There,” and “My Front Porch Looking In,” […]
Continue ReadingFrom Cub Scout to Eagle: Plant City teen gives back
Johnny Alvarez was six years old when he attended his first Scout meeting, introduced to the organization at Knights Elementary School. More than a decade later, the Plant City teen returned to that same campus to complete the project that earned him the rank of Eagle Scout. Alvarez, a member of Boy Scout Troop 734, […]
Continue ReadingTomlin FFA Turns Harvest Into Hands-on Learning With Weekly Produce Stand
By midmorning most Fridays, a steady stream of grandparents, parents and passersby gathers outside a small produce stand on the edge of Tomlin Middle School. By afternoon, the shelves are usually bare. That’s just how the Tomlin FFA produce stand works. Run by the school’s agriculture and FFA program, the stand is open most Fridays […]
Continue ReadingMeet 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival Court Member
Photo courtesy of Jose Lozoya Cadence Cape What inspired you to compete in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queens pageant? The Queen’s Court has always been a source of inspiration and a role model in my life. Becoming a member of the court has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember, […]
Continue ReadingMeet 2026 Florida Strawberry First Maid
Photo Courtesy of Jose Lozoya Marley Mueller Age: 17 Education: Senior at Plant City High School What inspired you to compete in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queens pageant? Being on the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Court has been a lifelong dream of mine. I remember walking around my house as a child, telling my mom, “This […]
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