For Rhett Rollyson, the Florida Strawberry Festival brings up a lot of good memories.
There was that time Winona Judd pulled him up on stage to dance with him. She had to stop singing from laughter because of his dance moves — or lack thereof. When the then University of Florida senior returned to campus, someone asked him if he was the one on stage.
But his favorite memory always has been the wrestling shows. He was terrified of the rides. Somehow, wrestling was slightly less scary.
“It was the coolest thing — the neatest thing,” Rollyson said. “As a young kid, I probably didn’t appreciate the singers they had. I was always front row for wrestling.”
Growing up with the festival, it only made sense that years later, Rollyson would become a tireless volunteer. For his service, he has been named as the newest associate director. The board voted him in on Aug. 12.
“I was pleasantly surprised when it went through,” Rollyson said. “I knew I was one of many strong candidates. It’s an honor.”
Festival General Manager Paul Davis remembers seeing Rollyson as a boy at the festival.
“He’s been around the festival most of his life,” Davis said. “He grew up here, just like me. He’s been around it.”
Rollyson made the transition from attendee to volunteer more than 10 years ago. Working in stadium logistics, he helped people find their seats, get their tickets and served as extra security. He also worked in the information booths. He loved being a roaming ambassador most of all. It was like being in the information booth without being tethered to it.
Public relations and information dissemination is right up Rollyson’s alley. He worked in the tennis industry doing sales and promotion for nine years. He hopes the festival will draw on those strengths from him in his future duties.
“He has a lot to offer,” Davis said.
And the festival isn’t just a hobby for Rollyson. His father, Ray “Rolly” Rollyson, and father-in-law, Dub McGinnes, have been deeply involved.
“I see how hard they’ve worked and how much it means to them,” Rollyson said.
Betty Chambers, his wife’s grandmother, also has been instrumental in pushing him to be involved with the festival.
“She’s the kind of person who told me, ‘You’re doing this,’” Rollyson said. “There’s been a rich heritage between my wife’s family and my family.”
Rollyson is carrying that tradition on with his own family. He takes his kids, Brendan, 11, and Tanner, 9, to the festival every year.
“Seeing them ride the rides — their eyes light up,” Rollyson said. “When it’s here, we’re there.”
He said whatever career path his children take, he would still like them to be involved in the festival in the future. And he extends the invitation to everyone living in Plant City.
“I think it’s important for everyone to be involved,” Rollyson said. “You’re an ambassador of this city. Be proud of it.”
There are 14 associate directors who serve the Florida Strawberry Festival.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
