Strawberry Festival Feb 2015

2015 Florida Strawberry Festival®

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Feb. 26 – March 8

w o n k o t t a h W Official Newspaper of the Florida Strawberry Festival®

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ERNEST HOOPER

ehooper@tampabay.com

Strawberry Festival grows while retaining its family roots

The Florida Strawberry Festival may be best known for its headline musical entertainment and its inviting midway, but the 11-day event also features a number of other enticing diversions that can prompt a family to spend the day on the festival grounds.

Here’s a super seven sampling of the hundreds of features offered at the festival.

1 – Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest For the first time ever, the Strawberry Festival will play host to a Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Regional Contest on March 1. Twelve male and 12 female contestants will vie for a chance to compete in the nationally-televised championship hot dog eating contest annually held on July 4 at New York’s Coney Island. It will be sanctioned by Major League Eating and the International Federation of Competitive Eating.

Falling in love with the festival Janet Shelton, Times Correspondent

When he was 13 years old, Paul Davis took his first date to Plant City’s Florida Strawberry Festival. Davis was hoping to take the girl on scary rides so she would grab his arm and hang on for life. His plan failed, but Davis, now general manager of the Florida Strawberry Festival, did fall in love that day.

The Festival captured his heart.

Plant City’s Florida Strawberry Festival takes place Feb. 26-March 8 this year. As it celebrates its 80th year, it can stand proud that the mention of its name fills people with images of strawberry milkshakes, strawberry cobbler, strawberry pie and the best strawberry shortcake on the planet.

The festival delivers good times besides eating, too.

Whether it’s the midway, the entertainment, the exhibits or its wholesome, welcome-to-the-family attitude, there’s a whole lot of sweetness to this event.

“We are a community celebration,” Davis said. “As trite as it may sound, we’re still a slice of American and Southern charm.”

The festival’s focus on family fun sets it apart, Davis said, and Plant City is happy with its wholesome image. About 2,200 people from the area volunteer, and school clubs, churches and other community organizations raise money through this event. Festival days are a time when locals connect, and they extend that sense of community to every visitor. You won’t find alcohol on the festival grounds or bands that shock, but you could find friendship.

“I think people come out because of the fellowship,” Davis said. “I tell people, ‘If you come here and you don’t see a friend, you’ll make one.’”

Almost as much as food, the festival is known for entertainment. This year, 24 headline artists representing a broad spectrum of tastes will perform on the Wish Farms

Yes, it’s that serious.

Joey Chestnut holds the world record, having once downed 69 hot dogs (and buns) in 10 minutes. The contest will take place at 6 p.m. at the festival’s Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage at 6 p.m. on March 1. For registration information, go to http://tbtim.es/dzn.

2 – Rock-It The Robot Rock It The Robot, a 9-foot mechanical marvel that talks, sings and dances, returns to the Florida Strawberry Fes. See HOOPER, 10

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| Friday, February 20, 2015 | Tampa Bay Times

Photo by SKIP O’ROURKE | Times

Courtesy of Florida Strawberry Festival®

Soundstage alone. Pop, R&B, big band, oldies, Christian and several genres of country will be represented. Alabama, Scotty McCreery, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Boyz II Men and John Legend all close weekend nights.

“We have traditional country, nostalgic country, fresh new country … ,” Davis said. “Boyz II Men, they are back by popular demand after last year. It was a phenomenal show.”

The midway features 80 rides to keep everyone gleefully dizzy. Those who need a break from the adrenaline boosts have options, too. The Neighborhood Village contains a handmade quilt exhibit, cooking demonstrations and other homefocused shows. Children, especially those from more metropolitan backgrounds, love seeing rabbits, lambs, pigs and other farm animals shown at the festival.

There’s plenty to eat that has nothing to do with strawberries. Expect favorites from the past and some creative new fare. Davis said Amish donuts, hugely popular last year, are back, and the chocolate bacon is pretty tasty, too.

Just don’t forget to try the strawberries, which are brought in fresh daily and guaranteed to be of the highest quality. There’s a reason over 300,000 strawberry shortcakes were served last year. There’s a reason this festival has celebrated this fruit since 1930.

“We have never forgotten who brought us to the dance,” Davis said.

“Strawberries.”

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Tampa Bay Times | Friday, February 20, 2015 |

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Festival activities go far and beyond the main stage

BY ERNEST HOOPER

John Legend

Times Columnist

Months after the announcement, the words still come across with a degree of surprise.

R&B superstar John Legend will play the Florida Strawberry Festival on March 7.

Yes, the same John Legend who performed America the Beautiful at the Super Bowl for a national television audience of more than 100 million. Yes, the same John Legend who won a Golden Globe Award for Glory, his collaboration with rapper Common that was featured in the film Selma.

Yes, the same John Legend who won a Grammy and joined Common for a stirring performance to end the awards show in earlier this month.

Given his popularity and the Strawberry Festival’s long-time penchant for attracting only country stars, his upcoming appearance surprised everyone — except festival general manager Paul Davis.

Courtesy of Florida Strawberry Festival®

an entertainment lineup and activities that offer broad appeal, the festival will never stray from its family-friendly atmosphere. Davis insists no matter who takes the stage, he will be comfortable bringing his 13-year-old daughter to the festival.

“We’re getting better every year,” Davis said. “We want to stay diverse, stay modern, but we’re never going to give away the morality side.”

The charm of the Strawberry Festival, now in its 80th year, lies in the organizers’ insistence on maintaining its roots. Yes, you can enjoy Legend and modern country Courtesy of Florida Strawberry Festival Kevin Costner & Modern West acts such as Scotty McCreery, Hunter Hayes and Craig Morgan, but you also will find The idea is to offer a platter of stars that will include Loretta Lynn and Reba McEntire on the list. at least one act for every kind of taste. But the variety won’t give way to vices. If they have to turn away some Sure, Kevin Costner and Boyz II Men are among the hard rockers who insist on profanity or some country headliners, but so too are Christian music stars stars who sing odes to alcohol, so be it.

MercyMe and Newsboys.

The homage to its history extends to the midway and

®

For Davis, luring Legend to the event signifies the natural progression of the festival as it strives to diversify its musical acts.

“We’re thrilled to have him,” Davis said. “We felt he was a good fit.”

Finding acts that fit the Strawberry Festival’s broader mission remains tantamount. While it seeks to offer

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| Friday, February 20, 2015 | Tampa Bay Times

Courtesy of Florida Strawberry Festival®

the exhibit halls. Rock-It the Robot, a modern-day marvel, patrols the grounds and the XPogo Stunt Team will dazzle during its show by flipping over cars with pogo sticks.

But you still can find livestock competitions, baking contests and a gospel show on the last Saturday of the festival.

Of course, all manner of strawberry treats beckon festival-goers, but you can’t find beer. The grounds remain alcohol free.

Most of all, you can find the people of Plant City, thrilled to show off their community. A team of “Strawberry Ambassadors” mills about, helping folks with directions and offering warm smiles.

Familiar faces man the information booths year after year, and festival spokeswoman Lauren McNair said some residents even take vacation time to volunteer at the festival.

“We like to say if you don’t see a really good friend at the Strawberry Festival, you’ll make one,” Davis said.

In the end, it’s clear that no matter how many luminaries grace the stage, they won’t outshine the luster of the festival’s grandest attraction: its people.

That’s all I’m saying.

Photo by SKIP O’ROURKE | Times

Tampa Bay Times | Friday, February 20, 2015 |

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TICKETS TO CONCERTS

RANGE FROM FREE TO $50.

Festival admission is required on top of each concert ticket. Some 3,000 free seats will be available for every show on a first-come, first-served basis. Here’s a look at the lineup.

Feb. 26 Alabama (7:30 p.m., $40): Thirteen years after their last Hillsborough County gig, one of the biggest and best-selling country groups of all time (Mountain Music, Song of the South) returns to the Strawberry Festival for the first time since 2001.

Bobby Vinton (3:30 p.m., $15-$20): At 79, the Blue Velvet crooner still knows how to give his fans a show.

Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra (10:30 a.m., free): A Strawberry Festival tradition, the Grammy-winning polka king kicks off the music with a free opening-morning concert.

Feb. 27 Scotty McCreery (7:30 p.m., $25-$30): After winning American Idol in 2011, the earnest baritone has remained a fan favorite for his good looks and aw-shucks demeanor. Only 21, he now balances his successful music career with college classes at N.C. State. For a Q&A with Scotty McCreery, see Page 15.

Mel Tillis (3:30 p.m., $15-$20): There’s no telling how many Strawberry Festivals the 82-year-old Dover native and Country Music Hall of Famer has attended. But we’re betting this won’t be his last.

Feb. 28 Kevin Costner and Modern West (7:30 p.m., $35): The actor and Oscar-winning director still churns ’em out in Hollywood,

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but he seems to be having the most fun whenever he gets on stage with his Americana rock band, Modern West.

MercyMe (3:30 p.m., $20): One of this year’s two big contemporary Christian acts is this multiple Dove Award-winning rock group from Texas.

March 1 Hunter Hayes (7:30 p.m., $40): Louisiana wunderkind Hunter Hayes is only 23, but he already has legions of fans young and old thanks to hit singles both energetic (Wanted) and uplifting (Invisible), plus prodigious musical talent (on his latest album, Storyline, he played 30 different instruments). For a Q&A with Hunter Hayes, see Page 14.

Brett Eldredge (3:30 p.m., $20-$25): The Country Music Association’s 2014 New Artist of the Year has a soulful voice and musical style that have enabled him to tour with artists like Taylor Swift and Luke Bryan. And if songs like Don’t Ya and Beat of the Music weren’t catchy enough, he’s also one of Nashville’s hottest new hunks — People recently suggested Eldredge should be ABC’s next Bachelor.

March 2 Happy Together Tour (7:30 p.m., $25-$30): Expect a night of classic rock and pop hits from artists like Flo and Eddie of the Turtles (Happy Together), Gary Puckett and the Union Gap (Young Girl), Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night (Joy to the World), Gary Lewis and the Playboys (This Diamond Ring) and Gary U.S. Bonds (Quarter to Three).

Sawyer Brown (3:30 p.m., $15-$20): Florida’s own CMA-winning boys were a country radio staple in the late ’80s and early ’90s with hits like Some Girls Do and Thank God for You.

March 3 Sara Evans (7:30 p.m., $20-$25): Evans will always be a lively and bankable country act thanks to a stable of No. 1 singles, including Suds in the Bucket and A Little Bit Stronger, but she’s also a winning TV personality (she recently popped up on ABC’s Nashville) and has made overtures toward the pop world, as her new album, Slow Me Down, features collaborations with Gavin DeGraw and OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder.

Ronnie Milsap (3:30 p.m., $15-$20): One of the most successful country singers of the ’70s and ’80s, Milsap has become a major influence on younger acts like Hunter Hayes, who recently told Rolling Stone, “I spent years of my life literally trying to sound like him.”

March 4 Craig Morgan (7:30 p.m., $20-$25): The Army veteran recently made headlines for ripping critics of the film American Sniper, but it’s his unapologetically fun sing-alongs — Redneck Yacht Club, International Harvester, Bonfire, Little Bit of Life — that earned him this headlining gig.

Ricky Skaggs (3:30 p.m., $15-$20): To shake things up again, the 14-time Grammy winner will bring some traditional bluegrass twang to the Strawberry Festival.

March 5 Newsboys (7:30 p.m., $20): The megaselling Christian pop-rock group has featured numerous lineups over the years — they’re currently fronted by former DC Talk singer Michael Tait — but it hasn’t impacted their popularity, as they’ve headlined many of the biggest Christian festivals around.

Oak Ridge Boys (3:30 p.m., $15-$20): Giddy-up, oom-poppa, oom-poppa, mow-mow! The gospel-country crossover quartet behind Elvira — Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban and William Lee Golden — have been harmonizing together for more than 40 years.

Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (10:30 a.m., free): Big band superstar Tommy Dorsey died in 1956,

but his name carried so much weight in the big band world that his name lives on through this modern incarnation of his orchestra.

March 6 Boyz II Men (7:30 p.m., $20-$25): Who knew Boyz II Men would be such a smash in Plant City?

The ’90s R&B kings are back at the Strawberry Festival for a second straight year, set to deliver classic slow jams like I’ll Make Love to You and Water Runs Dry. Loretta Lynn (3:30 p.m., $20-$25): The 82-year-old Coal Miner’s Daughter doesn’t tour as often as she used to, so any chance to catch her inimitable spitfire spirit in person is worth the price of admission.

March 7 John Legend (7:30 p.m., $50): Talk about a guy who’s having an amazing year. By the end of February, R&B croooner John Legend (Ordinary People, Green Light, All of Me) will have performed at the Oscars, Grammys and Super Bowl, and posed for a steamy GQ photo shoot with his supermodel wife, Chrissy Teigen. How’s your 2015 going?

Dan + Shay (3:30 p.m., $15-$20): Dan Smyers and longtime pal Shay Mooney scored a Top 10 single 19 You + Me, and in the past year have toured with both Blake Shelton and Hunter Hayes.

Their dreamily telegenic looks have also won them legions of squealy teenage fans. For a Q&A with Dan + Shay, see Page 16.

March 8 Reba McEntire (7:30 p.m., $50): Reba didn’t need a spunky new single to earn this closing-night headlining slot, but she gave us one anyway: Going Out Like That, her first new music in five years from her forthcoming 27th studio album. For the past couple of years, McEntire has been a mentor to young Tampa Bay native Caroline Kole, a frequent Strawberry Festival performer who will open this performance.

Parmalee (3:30 p.m., $15-$20): North Carolina family band Parmalee has a sound that can get rowdy and raucous, a revved-up combo of straight country and Southern rock that has enabled them to tour with artists like Brad Paisley and Florida Georgia Line. For a Q&A with Parmalee, see Page 17.

Tampa Bay Times | Friday, February 20, 2015 |

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DAILY HAPPENINGS • Demonstration of Pioneer Skills (Pioneer Village) • Demonstration of Strawberry Production (South of Milton E. Hull Armory Building) • EHAG Art Show (Milton E. Hull Armory Building) • Garden Club Horticulture Show (Neighborhood Village East Side) • Neighborhood Village (East Side) • Photography Contest (Milton E. Hull Armory Building) • Shoebox Float Display (Roy & Helen Parke Building) • Strawberry Queen Exhibit (Neighborhood Village East Side)

AGRICULTURE Exhibits Daily Poultry & Rabbit Shows (Swindle Family Pavilion) Feb. 26 to 28 Swine Exhibit (Astin Farms Pavilion) March 3 to 7 Steer Exhibit (Astin Farms Pavilion) March 6 to 8 Beef Breed Exhibit (Swindle Family Pavilion)

Thursday, Feb. 26 7 p.m. Mosaic Youth Swine Show (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)

Friday, Feb. 27 1 p.m. Dairy Contestant Judging (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena) 7 p.m. Mosaic Youth Swine Show Sale (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena) . See DAILY HAPPENINGS, 10

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Tampa Bay Times | Friday, February 20, 2015 |

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. HOOPER continued from page 2

tival in 2015. Rock-It excited children of all ages during a 2013 appearance and now he’s back to roam the grounds. He holds actual conversations with fans, often offers improvised comedy, changes colors and occasionally serenades admirers. Look for him at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the festival grounds.

3 – Xpogo Stunt Team Your mother never let you play with pogo sticks like this.

These daring acrobats not only fly up to 9 feet in the air, but they add in multiple flips and daring tricks. They can even propel themselves over cars. The stunt team will perform on the grounds each day at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

4 – DeAndre Brackensick Music acts aren’t limited to the festival’s Wish Farms Soundstage. Throughout the festival you will find entertaining acts and Brackensick is one of the best. The soulful singer made a name for himself by making the Season 11 finals of American Idol in 2012. Since then, he’s continued his musical career, earning a recording contract with Truth Records. Brackensick will perform on the Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage March 4-8 at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

5 – Hola Plant City The Strawberry Festival will devote special attention to appealing to the Hispanic community with Hola Plant City, a special entertainment showcase featuring popular Latino stars.

Last year, Don Cheto drew a standing-room-only crowd. Festival officials were still in the process of finalizing this year’s acts, but they expect to draw another throng of fans. Hola Plant City will be at the Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage Feb. 28 and March 7 at 6 p.m.

6 – Gospel Night A long Strawberry Festival tradition continues under the leadership of Calvin “Pee-Wee” Callins, pastor of Greater New Hope Ministries in Plant City and a former Plant City High standout. Callins, who once shared the stage with gospel greats like Kirk Franklin and Shirley Caesar, will bring a spirited performance to the stage, adding a bit of inspiration to the festival grounds at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Bright House Networks Showcase Tent.

7 – Dennis Lee Dennis Lee, long a popular entertainer at the festival and the Florida State Fair, delivers a blend of old-fashioned family humor, American songbook showmanship, audience antics, patriotic salutes and robotic miming moves in every show. Lee performs songs from a catalog of 200 tunes that ranges from Frank Sinatra to Lee Greenwood to Elvis. He waltzes through the crowds with his wireless microphone, getting people to sing and calling grandmothers “hot thang.” He will perform on the Bright House Networks Stage at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. every day. Note: There will not be a noon show on March 1.

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. DAILY HAPPENINGS continued from page 8

Saturday Feb. 28

Saturday, March 7

11 a.m. Dairy Show Showmanship (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)

7 p.m. Mosaic Youth Steer Sale (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)

1 p.m. Dairy Show (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)

Sunday, March 1 11 a.m. Adult Dairy Showmanship (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena) 11:30 a.m. Pee Wee Dairy Showmanship (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena) 12:30 p.m. Dairy Costume Ball (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena) 2 p.m. Youth Plant Sale (Swindle Family Pavilion)

Monday, March 2 5 p.m. Lamb Showmanship and Show (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)

Tuesday, March 3 3 p.m. Lamb Jumping Contest (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena) 7 p.m. Lamb Costume Contest (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)

Wednesday, March 4 6 p.m. Mosaic Youth Steer Show (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)

Friday, March 6

Sunday, March 8 11 a.m. Youth Beef Breed Show (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)

ONGOING SHOWS Daily 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Robinson’s Racing Pigs (On Grounds) 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Runa Pacha “Indian World” (Gazebo) 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. SouthWest Dairy Farmers Milking Show (On Grounds) 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Redhead Express (Bright House Networks Showcase Tent) 11 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Meet & Greet Mascot Mr. Berry (Gazebo on East Side of Park Building) 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Agricadabra Magic Show (On Grounds) 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dennis Lee (Bright House Networks Showcase Tent) 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Rock-It the Robot (On Grounds) 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Nathan Osmond (Bright House Networks Showcase Tent) 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Xpogo Stunt Team (On Grounds)

9 a.m. Registration for Livestock Judging Contest (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)

1 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Steve Trash Show (Hershey’s Strawberry Tent)

10 a.m. Livestock Judging Contest (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)

Feb. 26 to March 3

3 p.m. Livestock Judging (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena) 6 p.m. Beef Breed Showmanship (Patterson Co. Livestock Arena)

Kari & Billy, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

(Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage) The Gothard Sisters, 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

(Hershey’s Strawberry Tent) . See DAILY HAPPENINGS, 18

Strawberry Lemonade Bars

MICHELLE STARK

Food Editor | Tampa Bay Times/tampabay.com

When it comes to baking with strawberries, you could go the typical shortcake route. Or you could jazz up the sweet berry with some lemon juice and zest in these rich shortbread bars. They make great use of the bounty of fresh berries we get in Florida this time of year, and are a perfect seasonal treat all the way into summer.

I N G R E D I E N T S

D I R E C T I O N S

Crust and Crumble Topping 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour pinch salt, optional and to taste

To make crust and crumble topping

Filling 1 large egg 1/2 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Set a heaping 3/4 cup crumble mixture aside. Transfer remaining mixture to prepared pan, and using a spatula or your fingers, hard pack it to create an even, smooth, flat crust; set aside.

Strawberry Layer 2 heaping cups diced fresh strawberries 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons lemon zest, or to taste 2 teaspoons cornstarch up to 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray; set aside.

In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute in microwave on high power. Add the sugars and whisk to combine. Add the flour, optional salt, and stir to combine.

To make filling In a medium bowl, add the egg, Greek yogurt, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla and whisk to combine until smooth. Add the flour and whisk to combine until smooth.

Evenly pour filling over the crust and smooth it with a spatula; set aside.

add up to 2 tablespoons flour to help thicken it. Evenly distribute strawberry mixture over the filling, smoothing it lightly with a spatula.

Evenly sprinkle with the reserved heaping 3/4 cup crust mixture.

Bake for about 60 to 75 minutes, or until edges are bubbling quite vigorously and there’s some bubbling in the center. Crumble topping should appear set and pale golden. When done, place pan on a wire rack and allow bars to cool for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving. Bars will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 10 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Makes 9 to 12 generous squares.

Source: adapted from Averie Cooks

To make strawberry layer In a separate medium bowl, add all filling ingredients except flour and toss to combine. Evaluate mixture; if it’s very thin or soupy,

Tampa Bay Times | Friday, February 20, 2015 |

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Teen prodigy Hayes evolving as a star

BY JAY CRIDLIN | Times Staff Writer

When you play 30 instruments — as singerguitarist Hunter Hayes did on his self-titled debut album — time can slip away from you in the studio.

“Easily, 16-hour days are not a problem,” Hayes said by phone from his Nashville home studio.

“You don’t even realize time is just flying by, and then right around midnight or 1 o’clock, you’re like, ‘You know what? I should probably turn in.’”

want to be pushy. But yeah, we’ve talked. And he’s really cool. I just became a massive fan, because he is just so talented. I got to hang out with him and chat at Top Gear, which is my favorite car show on the planet. We both have crazy schedules — he’s got a crazy schedule way more than me — but we’ve talked about it. He seems open to it, and you never know.

How interested are you in experimenting with the beatboxing and looping techniques he uses when he plays guitar?

Oh, I’m trying desperately to learn all his tricks. I slave over it and I will never come close, but I try anyway. Even when I fall flat on my face on an arena in front of 6,000 people, I’m still okay with trying it again, because it’s such a cool thing. That’s one of those things that’s been around for a long time, but he just made it cool, and he does it so effortlessly well. God, it kind of makes me mad. But I want to learn all his secrets.

Hayes started as a teenage prodigy and earned millions of young fans through ceaseless touring and a relentlessly professional, squeaky-clean image. But fans of all ages quickly grew to respect his formidable talent.

He was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2013 Grammys; the next year he returned to the same stage to perform his anti-bullying anthem, Invisible; this year he actually hosted a portion of the Grammy ceremony.

On March 1, Hayes will play the Strawberry Festival for the second time in three years.

Here are excerpts from our chat.

Every artist who comes into the public at such a young age eventually has that album where it’s like, “Hey, I’m not a kid anymore.” Do you ever think about that?

I don’t, because if you’re real, if you’re truly honest with yourself, you write about the stuff that matters to you. Everybody gets to know you as you grow up. My first record was launched when I was 19; my second record came out when I was 22. Being 23 now, these are years with the most changes. In my life, there’s a lot changing. You embrace that, you write about it, and you go through your whole life writing about things that matter to you, because even if it seems irrelevant, somebody else is going through something similar.

You’ve talked about wanting to work with Ed Sheeran. Any closer to making that collaboration happen?

Collaborations are so tricky, because I never

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Courtesy: Kristin Barlowe

After ‘Idol,’ McCreery’s still growing

BY JAY CRIDLIN | Times Staff Writer

The last time Scotty McCreery played the Florida Strawberry Festival, in 2013, what stood out the most to him was the food.

“The folks that work it, they really make you feel like you’re at home, like you’re family,” McCreery said by phone from his home in Raleigh, N.C. “There were some really sweet old ladies walking around offering me different strawberries — chocolate covered, white chocolate covered, everything you could imagine. Me and the band, we really dug in pretty good.”

Nearly four years after winning the sixth season of American Idol, McCreery, 21, is balancing his status as an increasingly bankable headliner with some semblance of a normal life as a college student at N.C. State. He’ll headline the Strawberry Festival on Feb. 27 before returning to Tampa this summer on tour with Rascal Flatts.

Here are excerpts from our chat.

Handout photo

cool, or an idea, I’ll jot it down and bring it to Nashville and hopefully we can write about it. One of the cool things about my music is that I started out so young at 16, 17 years old, that my music will grow with me. My first record, listening back to it, it sounds pretty young. This last record sounds a little more mature. Hopefully, this record is even more mature.

Can you even remember your initial audition for American Idol, or has so much happened since then that it kind of gets hard to remember?

You ranked No. 2 on Country Weekly’s “Country’s Sexiest Man” vote of 2014. Do you personally feel like one of country’s sexiest men?

No, I remember it like it was yesterday. I was just your typical 16-year-old kid playing baseball in high school, living life, and all of a sudden I had a dream and decided to audition. I was a nervous wreck. I remember just being there and thinking, “What the heck am I doing here? These guys are too good for me. I’m in over my head.” And then it all worked out way more than I ever thought it would.

People magazine recently did a piece in which they argued that Brett Eldredge should be the next Bachelor on ABC. Would you ever take a gig like that?

You’re starting to write songs for your next album. Have you thought about any new ideas or themes you want to explore?

Yeah, for sure. There’s stuff every day. I keep an iPhone Notebook on hand, and if I hear something

(laughs) That’s just weird for me to even think like that. I don’t get caught up in those polls. But hey, I guess I’ll take it.

I don’t think so. That whole show — good grief.

Lord, have mercy. I’d go crazy on that kind of a thing. Twenty-something girls to put up with?

Girls, they’re awesome, but it takes a lot.

So one competition show is enough for you?

I’ll stick with one. I did all right on that one.

Tampa Bay Times | Friday, February 20, 2015 |

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Dan + Shay: Nashville’s young studs

BY JAY CRIDLIN | Times Staff Writer

Plant City is a long way from Wexford, Pa., but for Dan Smyers, Dan + Shay’s gig at the Florida Strawberry Festival will still feel a little like a hometown show.

Smyers’ parents moved from Pennsylvania to Clearwater a few years ago and come to almost all of his Florida shows. “It’s a nice change of pace from the weather in Pennsylvania,” Smyers said in a recent phone interview. “It’s a more laid -back, kind of beachy vibe.

It’s great, man.”

Smyers and longtime pal Shay Mooney, who have racked up fans touring with Hunter Hayes and Blake Shelton, will bring their Top 10 single 19 You + Me to the Strawberry Festival stage on March 7.

Here’s more from my chat with Smyers.

You’re playing the same day as John Legend. How similar do you think your fan base is to his?

It’s going to be interesting to see. I know that I’m a fan of John Legend, and I’m going to be watching his set after we play, which is incredible. I’ve been a fan of John Legend’s for a while, since the first album he put out, and he’s had so much continued success of late, with All of Me and everything else. Hopefully a lot of females out in the crowd will be getting a little crazy for it.

What are the pros and cons of playing a festival versus playing a headlining show?

The pros of playing a festival: Obviously, you’re exposed to a bunch of new people who may not have heard your music before.

People draw different crowds, and it’s cool to try to win over new people. It’s fun to try the local food, a chili cookoff, that kind of stuff. It’s cool to get out of your little bubble that you live in.

Some of the pros to headlining Handout photo

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are getting to play a longer set. Whenever we have fans come out to a festival gig where we might only be playing 30 or 45 minutes, they’re like, “Why didn’t you play this song? Why didn’t you play this song?”

I’m like, “I wish! That was the next song on the list!” But you can’t please everybody. Getting to play a headlining set, we play the whole album and throw some covers in. We’ll bust out an acoustic guitar and break it down.

What are some of the covers you’ve been busting out lately?

Oh, man. Last summer we did a cover of Pour Some Sugar on Me and Meet in the Middle by Diamond Rio, which is kind of a cool little mash-up. We’ve done some more recent stuff, like Dynamite by Taio Cruz and Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5. We’ll always do Free Fallin’, Tom Petty. We do Your Love by the Outfield.

Crazy stuff like that.

Parmalee: Revved up and ready

BY JAY CRIDLIN | Times Staff Writer

This’ll be Parmalee’s first trip to the Florida Strawberry Festival. But don’t think for a second Barry Knox doesn’t know his way around a berry patch.

“My grandmother used to grow strawberries,” said the bassist for the North Carolina band. “We actually had a U-pick garden right outside of Parmele, N.C. My grandmother would take me there to pick strawberries all the time. So I’m a fan.”

Parmalee may hail from tiny Parmale, N.C., but the family band’s sound can get bigcity raucous, a revved-up combo of straight country and Southern rock that has enabled them to tour with artists like Brad Paisley and Florida Georgia Line. They’ll bring hits like Carolina and Musta Been a Good Time to the Strawberry Festival on March 8.

Here are more excerpts from my chat with Knox.

What’s your favorite strawberry food?

Probably strawberry shortcake.

Biscuit or cake?

Cake. No doubt.

When’s the last time you played a show in Parmele?

Last time we played in Parmele was when we were rehearsing out there, and that was

probably 2007 or ’08, I’d say. But we did play in Williamston, N.C., which is right down the street. It was at the end of the summer, and it was awesome. I think it was about 8,000 people there, and we were the headliners, and it was just amazing, because all those people from Parmele and Robersonville and Martin County in general, they all came out.

From what I understand, Musta Been a Good Time was based on personal experience, right?

Handout photo

That’s a fun twist on the party song, in that it doesn’t really focus on the party itself, but the aftermath.

Is there somebody you’ve met and had a good hang session with at a festival?

Yeah. Well, that one was definitely based on true events. We all lived in the house in North Carolina, and it was the band house, the party house. We had the swimming pool and all that. We had people lined up at our door. If we weren’t home, or were on the way home, they knew we were coming. There’d be people standing outside, just waiting for us to get there.

I tell you who we got to hang out with just a few days ago was Big and Rich. It’s really amazing when you meet these people and they’re just the coolest dudes you’ve ever met. You never know what you’re gonna get.

But when it comes down to country artists, everybody’s just cool, really nice to each other and supportive of each other. Meeting some of your idols and (learning) they respect you as an artist, that’s one of the coolest things.

Tampa Bay Times | Friday, February 20, 2015 |

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. DAILY HAPPENINGS continued from page 10

March 4 to 8

Saturday, Feb. 28

DeAndre Brackensick, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage)

10 a.m. Kids Day

The Walker Boys, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. (Hershey’s Strawberry Tent)

ENTERTAINMENT Thursday, Feb. 26 10 a.m. Florida Blue Senior Citizens Day 10:30 a.m. Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra, free (Wish Farms Soundstage) 2 p.m. Fried Corn on the Cob Eating Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent) 3:30 p.m. Bobby Vinton (Wish Farms Soundstage) 6 p.m. Bobby Summers, free (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage) 7:30 p.m. Alabama (Wish Farms Soundstage)

Friday, Feb. 27 10 a.m. Publix Feeding Florida Day 3:30 p.m. Mel Tillis (Wish Farms Soundstage) 6 p.m. Makenzie Raye / Soul Circus Cowboy, free (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage) 7:30 p.m. Scotty McCreery (Wish Farms Soundstage) 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Moonlight Magic (Midway)

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11 a.m. 42nd Annual Civitan Club Youth Parade (State Farmer’s Market) 2 p.m. Youth Strawberry Stemming Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent) 3:30 p.m. MercyMe (Wish Farms Soundstage) 6 p.m. Hola Plant City!, free (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage) 7:30 p.m. Gospel Night featuring Pastor Calvin “Pee Wee” Callins (Bright House Networks Showcase Tent) 7:30 p.m. Kevin Costner & Modern West (Wish Farms Soundstage)

Sunday, March 1 10 a.m. Coca-Cola Family Day 10:30 a.m. Baby Contest: Decorated Diaper, Baby Features, Diaper Derby (Bright House Networks Showcase Tent) 3:30 Brett Eldredge (Wish Farms Soundstage) 6 p.m. Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Qualifying Event, free (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage) 7:30 Hunter Hayes (Wish Farms Soundstage)

Monday, March 2 10 a.m. Ride-A-Thon

. See DAILY HAPPENINGS, 23

Tampa Bay Times | Friday, February 20, 2015 |

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Festival flashback

The Florida Strawberry Festival is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2015.

Judging by the photos of the past, it’s come a long way since 1930.

BY JUSTIN KLINE, Staff Writer

In 1958, the American Legion was giving away an AMC Rambler for its charity drive. These days, festival-goers can get a Corvette.

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The Grand Parade traveled north on Collins Street in 1946.

When the Florida Strawberry Festival was created in 1930, its founders simply wanted to celebrate the area’s annual strawberry harvest.

Had they known then that the event would grow into what it is today, they probably would have been amazed.

Members of the Plant City Lions Club made the first Strawberry Festival a reality in 1930, but World War II forced the celebration to take a hiatus from 1942 through 1947. In 1948, thanks every since.

What started as a community-centric event grew with the addition of celebrities and well-known performing artists, a trend that got off the ground with Dale Evans in 1972 and has blossomed into today’s huge musical lineup.

As the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World celebrates the 80th anniversary of its world-famous festival, the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center has combed through its collection to find a number of photos to remind the community of its storied past – and how much things have progressed. . See FLASHBACK, 22

Actor Ken Curtis, who portrayed Festus on the longtime television series Gunsmoke and appeared at the 1975 Florida Strawberry Festival.

Tampa Bay Times | Friday, February 20, 2015 |

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. FLASHBACK continued from page 21

The 1930 Strawberry Festival was the crowning site for the first Plant City Strawberry Queen, Charlotte Rosenberg.

In 1931, Plant City’s younger festival-goers could get “married” in a Tom Thumb Wedding. Pictured: Mary Mike Herold and Jack Peacock.

A young Fern Mcintosh rides in a float in the 1950 Baby Parade.

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. DAILY HAPPENING continued from page 18

10 a.m. Invitational Parade Luncheon 1 p.m. Grand Parade (Downtown Plant City)

6 p.m. With the City, free (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage)

3 p.m. The Home Depot Kids Workshop (East Ind.)

7:30 p.m. Newsboys (Wish Farms Soundstage)

3:30 Sawyer Brown (Wish Farms Soundstage)

Friday, March 6

5 p.m. Strawberry Spaghetti Eating Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent) 6 p.m. NRG, free (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage) 7:30 p.m. Happy Together Tour (Wish Farms Soundstage)

Tuesday, March 3 10 a.m. Red Hat Day 2 p.m. Adult Strawberry Stemming Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent) 3:30 p.m. Ronnie Milsap (Wish Farms Soundstage) 6 p.m. Sara Rose Band, free (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage) 7:30 p.m. Sara Evans (Wish Farms Soundstage)

Wednesday, March 4 10 a.m. American Heroes Day 1 p.m. Superdog Mega Corndog Eating Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent) 3:30 Ricky Skaggs (Wish Farms Soundstage) 6 p.m. American Dance Orchestra, free (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage) 7:15 p.m. Honor American Heroes (Wish Farms Soundstage) 7:30 p.m. Craig Morgan (Wish Farms Soundstage)

Thursday, March 5 10 a.m. Florida Blue Senior Citizens Day 10:30 a.m. Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, free (Wish Farms Soundstage)

10 a.m. Tampa Bay Times Day on the Midway 1 p.m. Strawberry Mashed Potato Pie Eating Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent) 3:30 p.m. Loretta Lynn (Wish Farms Soundstage) 6 p.m. Heather Lucas, free (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage) 7:30 p.m. Boyz II Men (Wish Farms Soundstage)

Saturday, March 7 10 a.m. Farm Worker Appreciation Day 10:15 a.m. Baby Parade (Morrow Steel Free Grandstand) 3:30 p.m. Dan + Shay (Wish Farms Soundstage) 6 p.m. Hola Plant City!, free (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage) 7:30 p.m. Jade Sanders (Bright House Networks Showcase Tent) 7:30 p.m. John Legend (Wish Farms Soundstage)

Sunday, March 8 10 a.m. Cocal-Cola Family Day 12 p.m. Second Time Arounders Marching Band (Morrow Steel Free Grandstand) 3:30 Parmalee (Wish Farms Soundstage) 1 p.m. Kitchen Craft Cookware Drawing (Neighborhood Village) 5 p.m. Stingray Chevrolet Vehicle Drawing (East Ind.) 6 p.m. Heanon Tate, free (Tampa Bay Times Variety Stage) 7:30 p.m. Reba McEntire (Wish Farms Soundstage)

2 p.m. Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest (Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent) 3:30 p.m. Oak Ridge Boys (Wish Farms Soundstage)

Tampa Bay Times | Friday, February 20, 2015 |

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