By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Members of the Astin and Swindle family were present for the ribbon cutting of the Evelyn and Batista Madonia Agricultural Center at the Strawberry Festival grounds on Oct. 12.
“Isn’t this a wonderful occasion, isn’t this a wonderful day for the city of Plant City and the Strawberry Festival,” Mayor Mike Sparkman said to a crowd of over 300 people.
The 33,000 square foot building took three years to complete. It will be used for trade shows, banquets and events.
Two pavilions flank both sides of the agricultural building. The pavilion on the west side of the Madonia center will be named for Ed and Myrtle Lou Swindle, and the one on the east side will be named for the Astin family. They will provide more space than tents, which means more entries in festival competitions.
Memorial bricks are still available for $150 each. Contact KeeLee Tomlinson at keelee@flstrawberryfestival.com to get a brick.