The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners allowed some of Plant City’s sweetness into its chambers Feb. 20, as the commission proclaimed Feb. 28 to March 10 as Florida Strawberry Festival Days.
Commissioner Al Higginbotham led the proclamation, which recognized the City of Plant City, the Florida Strawberry Festival, the 2013 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court, the Plant City Commission, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau.
Festival directors Paul Davis and Ron Gainey, Mayor Mike Sparkman and members of the 2013 court attended the event. Strawberry Queen Kelsey Fry was unable to attend, but First Maid Ericka Lott spoke in her place.
“We’re honored to be able to attend,” Lott said. “Just to be able to receive the proclamation is a great honor.”
Higginbotham caught up with the group after the proclamation.
“I’m proud to see these young ambassadors,” Higginbotham said. “Along with the honor comes great responsibility, and people aren’t just looking at them, they are looking up at them.”