News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact
Lauren Der
Florida Strawberry Festival
813-752-9194
[email protected]
Florida Strawberry Festival Offers More Free Entertainment Than Ever Before
PLANT CITY, Fla. (Feb. 20, 2014) – The 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival will offer more free
entertainment than ever before throughout the annual 11-day event in Plant City, Fla.
This year, singers, musicians, animals and a hypnotist comprise the lineup of entertainment
included with each visitor’s gate admission. Most acts perform multiple times each day of the
Festival in the either the VOSKO’S® Greek Yogurt Showcase Tent, the Stingray Chevrolet
Entertainment Tent, the Paradise Grilling Systems Variety Stage or their designated location on
the Festival grounds.
“We have a lineup of entertainers on our grounds this year who we believe will really connect
with our visitors,” said General Manager Paul Davis. “Each act is comprised of people who are
extremely talented but are also very personable, and that’s what our people like to see.”
The free entertainment lineup at the 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival is as follows:
Redhead Express
Redhead Express is a vibrant act of four sisters originally from Alaska and now hailing
from Nashville, Tenn. Their original songs were penned by eldest sister Kendra, and they
have spent the past six years touring with their family band across the country,
performing at over 1,400 shows at fairs, festivals and performing arts centers. Currently,
they are recording their debut country album with renowned producer Paul Worley.
Redhead Express will perform daily at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the VOSKO’S®
Greek Yogurt Showcase Tent.
The Walker Boys
The Walker Boys, presented by J.C. Sales, is a trio of young brothers (and sisters to the
women in Redhead Express). They have spent the last seven years touring with their
family show and will be Festival goers with a high-energy bluegrass show. The Walker
Boys will perform from March 5 to March 9 at 1 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in the
HERSHEY’S® Strawberry Tent.
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Savannah Jack
From playing honky-tonks on lower Broadway in Nashville to opening arena dates for
John Fogerty, Vince Gill and the legendary Kenny Rogers, the members of Savannah
Jack have honed their skills as live entertainers. Presented by Hampton Inn &
Suites/Tampa East, the band’s extraordinary three-part vocal harmonies, superior
musicianship and fresh sound are sure to connect with Festival visitors. Savannah Jack
will perform daily at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the VOSKO’S® Greek Yogurt Showcase
Tent.
Kari & Billy
Kari & Billy, presented by Premium Leisure, have exploded onto the scene as one of the
most loveable and unique country duos since Johnny and June. Their debut single “Play
Me A Fiddle Song” was released to radio on June 24, 2013 and reached No. 78 on the
country music row charts. Kari & Billy have opened for Florida Georgia Line, Chris
Young, Kellie Pickler, Montgomery Gentry, Pat Green and many more popular country
artists. Their shows feature high-energy fiddle songs that will get you on your feet and
pure country vocals that will touch your heart. Their second single is due to hit radio
nationwide in March 2014. Kari & Billy will perform daily at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on
the Paradise Grilling Systems Variety Stage.
The Gothard Sisters
From fast fiddle numbers to singing ballads and Irish dancing, the Gothard Sisters,
presented by J.C. Sales, are three sisters who are champion Irish dancers and musicians.
The trio uses their talents to perform entertaining shows featuring country, Irish,
flamenco and rock music. The Gothard Sisters will perform from Feb. 27 through March
4 at 1 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in the HERSHEY’S® Strawberry Tent.
Dennis Lee
A staple Florida Strawberry Festival entertainer, a legend in his own mind and everyone’s
favorite funny man, Dennis Lee, and his band entertain Festival visitors with comedy and
music from Elvis to R&B. Dennis Lee’s stage show, presented by Bionic Band®, was
established at the Florida Strawberry Festival in 1986 when Festival officials offered him
the opportunity to headline his own show. He took the show nationwide and now
entertains audiences across the country. Dennis Lee will perform daily at 1 p.m., 4 p.m.
and 7 p.m. in the VOSKO’S Greek Yogurt Showcase Tent.
Ron Diamond
Ron Diamond – hypnotist, illusionist and magician – combines exciting fetes with
comedy in his show that has been entertaining Festival visitors for years. Ron brings his
expertise of hypnosis to his show and leaves both children and adults with a feeling of
awe in his show presented by SunTrust Bank. Ron Diamond will perform daily at 11
a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the HERSHEY’S® Strawberry Tent.
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Runa Pacha “Indian World”
Runa Pacha "Indian World," presented by Verizon Wireless, has been sharing their music
for more than a decade. Having participated and been accepted with audiences of all ages,
Runa Pacha keeps its efforts to constantly come up with new ways of doing music and
share with the people. Their Southern and Northern native wind pipes and flutes,
combined with a variety of string instruments and modern electronic effects, create a
unique, relaxing sound. Runa Pacha will perform daily at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6
p.m. and 8 p.m. in the gazebo east of the Hull Armory Building.
“Wild About Monkeys”
When a movie producer needs a performing baboon, chances are they will call Kevin and
Martina Keith, the hosts of “Wild about Monkeys.” Training baboons is their specialty, and
they believe baboons to be by far the most socially intelligent primate. Combining the
rare skills of excellent trainers and the incredible instincts of the wild as well as domestic
animals with which they have become friends, Kevin and Martina will delight and amaze
their audience with fun, education and great entertainment for the whole family. “Wild
about Monkeys,” presented by Green Mountain Grills, is also the only traveling animal
exhibition that features trained baboons. “Wild About Monkeys” will perform daily at 1
p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. between the Florida’s Best Carriage House and the
HERSHEY’S® Strawberry Tent. They will host an additional show at 6 p.m. on
weekends.
Robinson’s Racing Pigs
Robinson’s Racing Pigs, presented by Netterfield’s Concessions, have been entertaining
fair and festival goers for over 25 years. They have appeared on all major TV networks as
well as “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno. Their “paddling porkers”
swim and race four at a time as the crowd cheers them on to win the ultimate prize for a
porker – an Oreo cookie. Robinson’s Racing Pigs will perform daily at 11 a.m., noon, 2
p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the north end of the Kiddie Korral.
SouthWest Dairy Farmers Milking Show
SouthWest Dairy Farmers’ Mobile Dairy Classroom is a traveling milking parlor,
featuring a live cow and an oral presentation. The trained instructors at the milking show
demonstrate how to milk a cow, describe how milk goes from the farm to the consumer
and answer questions from the audience. The SouthWest Dairy Farmers Milking Show,
presented by Southbay Sod Outdoors, will take place daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and
5 p.m. on the south end of the Grimes Family Agricultural Center.
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ROLLO
ROLLO, known as “The Biggest Little Kid in the World,” is a 10 ft. kid who creates
comedy in crowded situations and uses comedic bits and improvised skits to attract
attention and draw laughter. ROLLO dances, he jumps rope, and he can even shrink
himself! ROLLO, presented by Softub Express, will perform daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3
p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. as he walks throughout the grounds.
Kandu Magic Show & Kandu Game Show
The Kandu Magic Show, presented by Vision Auto Glass, has traveled nationwide
entertaining family audiences at conventions, fairs, festivals, orchestras and zoos. Kandu
and Jill “The Music Lady” have created a show that incorporates live music, sound
effects, sight gags, slap stick comedy and audience participation. Kandu has brought
along his Wild & Wacky Game Show that chooses all contestants from the audience and
involves them in games with hula hoops, balloons, butterfly nets and more. The Kandu
Magic Show will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on the east end of the Hull
Armory Building. The Game Show will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the same location.
Additional shows will take place at 1:30 p.m. on weekends.
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 (#berryfest2014).
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