News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact
Lauren Der
Florida Strawberry Festival
813-752-9194
lauren@flstrawberryfestival.com
Florida Strawberry Festival Holds Appreciation Dinner for 900 Volunteers
PLANT CITY, Fla. (Nov. 15, 2013) – The Florida Strawberry Festival held its annual Volunteer
Appreciation Dinner Thursday night at the Festival grounds.
Approximately 900 people who volunteered at the 2013 Festival attended Thursday’s event
where they were fed a barbecue dinner, entertained and shown an abundance of appreciation
from the Festival’s directors and staff.
“Our Festival could not take place without our volunteers,” said Florida Strawberry Festival
General Manager Paul Davis. “Our visitors notice the enthusiasm of our volunteers, and we
cannot do enough to thank them for the countless hours and tremendous effort they put into
making our Festival successful.”
Many volunteers were also awarded various door prizes that ranged from home décor, to tools
and gift cards. Nancy Plantenga, the grand prize winner, won a $400 VISA gift card.
“It’s so neat to see how many people from the community care about our Festival, and I believe
that’s what makes us different” said Information Committee Chairwoman Pam Warnock. “They
are excited to do what they can to help, and we notice that.”
Over 2,000 people from the Plant City area volunteer each year at the Florida Strawberry
Festival in information booths, backstage at headline entertainment shows, in the Badcock &
More Media Center and numerous other places throughout the grounds. Most volunteers return
year after year to volunteer in the same positions, exemplifying their passion for the event.
“We have some of the most wonderful, giving people here in our community, and we’re honored
that they choose to be a part of the Festival,” said Warnock.
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About the Florida Strawberry Festival
The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day community event celebrating the strawberry harvest
of Eastern Hillsborough County. Each year, over 500,000 visitors enjoy the Festival’s headline
entertainment, youth livestock shows, exhibits of commerce and, of course, its world-famous
strawberry shortcake. The 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival celebrating “Florida’s Best Family
Recipe!” will be held Feb. 27-March 9, 2014 in Plant City, Fla. For more information, visit
www.flstrawberryfestival.com, Facebook and Twitter.
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