FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES THEME FOR 2026 EVENT
The Florida Strawberry Festival announced the theme for its 91st annual event – “Still Growing.” “‘Still Growing’ beautifully captures who we are as a Festival and as a community,” Florida Strawberry Festival Chairman of the Board Pam Warnock said. “We are growing in the number of guests we welcome, in the rides and attractions we offer, in our agriculture and livestock shows, and in the strawberries that make Plant City so special. Each year we continue to evolve, and this theme reminds us that our story is still being written.”
A new theme is created for each year’s festival to offer patrons a glimpse of the experience they will have at the 11-day event. It also unifies vendors, FFA chapters, organizations, and corporate partners and exhibitors who create parade floats and displays throughout the event. The Festival’s iconic strawberry character takes center stage in this year’s themed artwork, a cornerstone of the event’s branding and advertising. Surrounded by a field of strawberries and lively festival scenes, the beloved berry sports sunglasses and an FSF-branded farmer’s hat while holding a crate of fresh strawberries in front of the GT Grandstands. The design reflects the festival’s continued growth in agriculture, entertainment, and community, while paying tribute to Plant City’s rich strawberry industry. “The Florida Strawberry Festival has always been rooted in agriculture and family traditions,” Warnock said. “Just like the strawberries we celebrate, we are still growing—and that growth allows us to provide new experiences while honoring the heritage that makes this Festival so loved.”
For more information, visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X (#berryfest26).
NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY
On September 19, Norman McLeod American Legion Post 26 will host this ceremony to honor the more than 500,000 American warriors captured while protecting our way of life. They will pay tribute to these patriots for their unwavering and unrelenting spirit. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 813-754-8608.
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: 2207 W. Baker St. in Plant City
PLANT CITY CHAMPIONS FOR YOUTH GOLF CLASSIC IS COMING
The 31st edition of the Plant City Champions for Youth and Plant City Parks & Recreation Department Golf Classic fundraiser tournament is currently seeking players as well as financial and in-kind sponsors. The event is scheduled for Friday, October 10, with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course, 2900 Buckingham Ave., in Lakeland.
The tournament is one of two fundraisers held each year by the Plant City Champions for Youth non-profit organization to support their programs that reach hundreds of youths. Their other fundraiser is the sale of Christmas trees each year in front of Plant City High School. The club’s mission is “to promote activities and opportunities that help Plant City, Florida, area young people build strong character and realize their full potential as responsible citizens and leaders through service, personal development, and recreational opportunities.”
A brochure with more information is available online, along with information on all the club’s activities: http://www.pcchampionsforyouth.org
PLANT CITY DEMOCRATS HOLD RALLY
On a holiday that honors American workers, thousands of people showed up across the country on Labor Day to participate in rallies and protests demonstrating their resistance of the billionaires who they believe are taking over the federal government. The Plant City Democrats hosted a peaceful rally in front of City Hall. More than 50 people turned out, many with hand-made signs, to have their voices heard and seen. The support of honking cars passing by was much appreciated by the group. They offered a special thank you to the Plant City Police Department for their presence. “A change may not come today, tomorrow, or next week, but remember the words of Martin Luther King Jr., ‘You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step,’” Leslye Milks, the Plant City Democrats Public Relations/Communications Coordinator, said.
ACTIVE ARTS IN PLANT CITY
The Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Plant City recently met to begin making plans for the organization’s 2025-2026 fiscal year. Several events and happenings are in the works, including a new installation of the downtown and veteran banners, the annual “At Home for the Holidays” home tour, Chilifest 2026 (in conjunction with Railfest 2026), scholarships to local high school seniors who are furthering their education in an “Art” related field, soiree’s, a public art display, and much more. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Arts Council of Plant City can contact Dodie at dodiewhite@msn.com, or visit the organization’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ArtsCouncilOfPlantCity.
