Photo Credit: Juan Zayas

Plant City, Florida

2602 E Cherry Street, Plant City, Florida

Video Credit: Tampa Aerial Media

Plant City was once a town known for producing cotton, citrus and cattle, this was before the big freeze came in the early 1800's. After this major event happened it was a challenge for the small town to continue as they once were, so the farmers decided to try and grow strawberry's. Farmers were shocked at how the strawberry's took to soil and could grow in such a cold environment. Now Plant City lives with its new nickname the Winter City and is the strawberry capital of the world, if you eat a strawberry it is said that the juices come from the tall standing strawberry painted water tower.

Plant City was the Team Contemporary winner in 2015. This elevated water tank, painted to look like a giant strawberry in the sky, represents an area of Florida known for its strawberry fields and annual Strawberry Festival.

Each spring, the Florida Strawberry Festival rolls out the red carpet to welcome visitors from throughout the Sunshine State and the world. Guests come from near and far to enjoy exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, fine arts, horticulture, and crafts.

The fabric of American life is woven into the Festival through social events, contests, youth developmental programs, top-name entertainment, and parades with glorious floats and high-stepping marching bands. 

The Florida Strawberry Festival represents a piece of Americana, a time in American history when fairs and festivals brought communities together through celebrations of their harvests. It has continued to grow in popularity year after year through the preservation of this heritage. Central to its focus, the Festival continues to preserve and enhance the agricultural and historical legacy of the Florida strawberry. Further, steeped in tradition, the Florida Strawberry Festival is alive with volunteer spirit, uniting people from all parts of Plant City, Florida and the surrounding area. 

Information Credit: https://www.hortidaily.com/article/9407108/plant-city-the-winter-strawberry-capital-of-the-world/

https://flstrawberryfestival.com/history-2/

Photo Credit:  Juan Zayas & Waymark