PLANT CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — The gates for the 2025 Strawberry Competition opened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday.
This 12 months marks the ninetieth annual Strawberry Competition. The pageant lasts 11 days and goes from Feb. 27 to March 9.
This 12 months, there are new rides, sights, and strawberry treats.
“That is our strawberries dipped in our vanilla glazed, coated in our strawberry crunch. This can be a strawberry pecan salad you’ll be able to have it as a croissant or a scoop,” stated Skipper Rodgers, proprietor of Candy Missions Strawberry Creations.
Plenty of family-run companies make up the pageant.
“My two sons, my fiancé, and myself run a enterprise,” stated David Johnson, proprietor of KD’s Concessions.
“We have so many individuals serving to us out on the cafe, prep and get every thing prepared to come back. All of our household is concerned, all of our kids assist out. So, it is a number of enjoyable to work collectively and to serve collectively. A portion of all of our proceeds goes again into the neighborhood, as nicely,” Rodgers stated.
There are model new sights for all ages and a brand new stage for the stay concert events, together with headliners like Reba.
“The previous venue was just a little bit restrictive, and so, we modified with the occasions and have this unbelievable stage that we’re on proper now and it will be internet hosting a number of concert events over the following 11 days, and we’re enthusiastic about it,” stated Rhett Rollyson, a director for the pageant.
There are additionally performances occurring a number of occasions a day, like Veranica & Her Unbelievable Buddies.
“I’ve a lot enjoyable coaching them, it takes a number of persistence, however it’s so enjoyable to work with them, on a regular basis. I simply love spending time with them,” Veranica stated.
The canine coach stated she practices, and trains, along with her canine thrice a day. Their exhibits will on at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and three p.m. each day of the pageant.
Veranica has been coaching canine for nearly 4 years and has 23 present canine, in whole.
The well-known Strawberry Competition Queen and Courtroom are making a number of appearances. All of them stated it’s an honor to put on the crown and sashes to characterize the neighborhood.
“It is an unbelievable honor to characterize a neighborhood. Our neighborhood has caught beside all of us in occasions of want and I believe that is what makes it so particular is now we get to be in these footwear and characterize this neighborhood,” stated 2025 Queen, Gabriela Hagman.
Everybody has been working laborious to tug off one other very yummy and fun-filled pageant.
“All the things is made contemporary to order and we simply need everybody to come back out and benefit from the Strawberry Competition this 12 months,” Johnson stated.
This can be a pageant that grows annually, and organizers have a purpose for 2025: to get round 700,000 attendees.
For extra on the Strawberry Competition, click on here.
