PLANT CITY, Fla. — While you can still look forward to the 11-day Florida Strawberry Festival, organizers say its headline entertainment won't be part of the fun in 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
This applies to the concerts and entertainment that had been scheduled for inside the festival's stadium, which seats about 9,000 people and usually hosts about 24 headline entertainers.
“We are diligently planning to ensure visitors to the 2021 festival can have a safe and fun experience with their families just like they have for 85 years,” said Florida Strawberry Festival President Paul Davis. “This year, we believe it is in the best interest of everyone, guests and entertainers, to not have patrons sitting shoulder to shoulder for an extended period of time.”
Festival organizers say the festival's other major attractions such as rides, livestock shows, on-grounds entertainment, concessions and exhibits will still happen because those events are held outdoors, in open-air facilities or in areas where people can move around freely.
President Davis says the festival is still determining if there will be any changes or additional safety guidelines due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“We have met with the Hillsborough County Health Department along with local and state officials to ensure we’re up to date with the latest guidelines and recommendations and will continue to do that leading up to the 2021 event,” said Davis. “Everyone we have met with feels confident that the plan we’re developing for our festival this year will be safe and effective.”
The festival's entertainment committee says it plans to offer more on-grounds entertainment for the upcoming event, which will be included with gate admission. Ground space in the concert area will likely be used for additional vendors or events that don't require stadium seating, festival organizers say.
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