The Strawberry Grand Parade is set to roll through the streets of Plant City on Mon., Mar. 4.
The route begins on Evers Street at 1 p.m. The parade will travel along Evers Street before taking a left turn on Reynolds Street. The route ends at the festival grounds.
Leading the 2024 Strawberry Festival Grand Parade will be parade Grand Marshals Fred and Tammy Johnson, chosen by the Berry Fine Productions Committee, consisting of Lyons, Kyle Robinson and Mike Sparkman.
“Fred and his wife carry forward the Plant City tradition by managing the Fred’s Market Restaurant on-site at the State Farmers Market in Plant City from the early beginnings of Fred’s parents, Elton and Evelyn Johnson in 1954,” said Lyons. “We selected them to help celebrate our values, our heritage and our community.”
For Fred Johnson, the distinction is an honor for not just himself but his family. “I say the Johnson family was selected as the Grand Marshal,” he said.
In fact, Owen will be driving the Grand Marshal vehicle with Fred and Tammy in the back and none other than 96-year old Grandma Johnson in the passenger seat.
“I asked her a couple weeks ago if she wanted to ride in the car, and she’ll be riding there with her family as proud as she can be,” he said. “Mom is mom to the whole town, and it’s for me, this is for her.”
Organizers have pulled out all the stops to ensure this year’s parade is a memorable one. Following the Grand Marshals, spectators can expect to be dazzled by the parade’s 100 entries, which include lively music from nine marching bands (Plant City, Strawberry Crest and Durant High Schools and others), 33 floats and 14 individual antique vehicle units. Mr. And Miss Berry will make an appearance.
“We have some new entries this year as well,” said Gail Lyons, President of Berry Fine Productions, who, while she did not divulge them, is sure spectators will delight in them. “I’ll just call them special features,” she said.
One of the highlights of the parade is the flurry of tossed items, from beads to candy, placed into the eager hands of onlookers. “I’ve always called the parade Plant City Mardi Gras where visitors can enjoy the celebration of our festival,” said Lyons.
Some roads along the parade route will temporarily close beginning at 10:30 a.m., including: South Evers Street from West Grant Street north to West Reynolds Street and West Reynolds Street west to West Granfield Avenue. Also, expect heavy pedestrian and festival traffic. If you don’t plan on attending the parade or the festival, try to avoid the area.
All roadways will be reopened for normal traffic by 3 p.m.