On Saturday night, the Wish Farms Soundstage at the Florida Strawberry Festival was taken over by Southern California punk legends The Offspring, delivering a high-energy performance that felt both nostalgic and electrifyingly fresh. For many longtime fans, seeing a band born in the gritty Orange County punk scene take the stage in the middle of […]
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Berry Bright Beginning: New Tech School Builds Sweet Float For Strawberry Festival Grand Parade
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 ReadingNews Briefs 03.05.26
Dreams Come True at the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Summer Youth Fire Academy Many teenagers have imagined working as a first responder, fighting fires, saving lives, and being recognized as a community hero. And parents have dreamed of seeing their son or daughter in uniform, working in a noble profession. Those dreams can come true […]
Continue ReadingStrawberry Festival Luncheon Celebrates Plant City’s Farmers, Volunteers, and Agricultural Legacy
More than 100 guests filled the HCC Trinkle Center, dressed in shades of red, many wearing strawberry pins fastened neatly to their lapels. Laughter carried across the room as attendees balanced plates of fresh fruit, cheese, and slices of strawberry shortcake. By 10:50 a.m., the buffet line stretched across the hall. But the gathering was […]
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 Dirt Roads to Fairground Lights:
In the 1930s, Plant City was a town built on timing. Not clock time, but harvest time, the narrow winter window when strawberries ripened in the soil and had to be picked, packed, and shipped before the sweetness faded. The Great Depression still pressed hard across the country, and life here was practical, frugal, and […]
Continue ReadingDiscounted Admission Tickets for BerryFest26 on Sale at Publix Super Markets
The Florida Strawberry Festival is pleased to announce that discounted admission tickets for the 2026 Festival will be available for purchase starting in February at participating Publix Super Market stores throughout Central Florida. Advance discounted tickets will be sold at Publix from February 1 through March 8, coinciding with the 11-day Festival, which runs February […]
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