Latest news with #FloridaStrawberryFestival
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Activists demonstrate for immigrant rights at Florida Strawberry Festival
Activists outside the entrance to the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City on March 1, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix) As thousands of people attended the Florida Strawberry Festival in Hillsborough County Saturday, they were greeted by about two dozen people demonstrating in support of immigrants, including those who pick the fruit. The festival, which saw more than 600,000 attend the event last year with crowds expected to be even bigger this year, takes place annually in Plant City, renowned as the 'winter strawberry capital of America.' And it comes just weeks after Florida Legislature enacted laws to help federal law enforcement agencies fulfill President Donald Trump's executive orders for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Plant City is a community also known for its immigrant who work in those strawberry fields every year — and demonstrators said they wanted the public to be aware that most of them are good people and not the criminals the Trump administration has targeted as first priority for removal from the country. 'I'm here today to support our migrant population,' said Gladys Sanchez, who traveled from Hernando County to attend the rally. 'They've been scapegoated and maligned and misinformation and the [people] need to know they bring money to our economy. The point is, they're essential and they're needed and they're welcome.' Sanchez is okay with Trump's intention to arrest criminals who are undocumented, 'but they're deporting anyone and everyone,' she said. 'If this administration was truthful — which they're not – I don't believe they're looking for criminals. They're looking for numbers so that they can look good. Criminals are not the target.' About half of Americans (47%) say the administration is doing 'about the right amount' on deportations, according to a Pew Research Center survey. However, almost as many (44%) say the administration is doing 'too much.' A much smaller group (8%) says Trump is doing 'too little.' Vanessa (she did not want to disclose her last name) is a 32-year-old DACA recipient living in Sarasota and working as a paralegal and hoping to attend law school. She says the tenor of the times has her worried. Saturday's demonstration was organized by the Plant City Democratic Party. 'My mom is an immigrant,' she said. 'She's scared. She doesn't know what to do. I'm scared for myself, too. I have kids, so anything can happen, and we don't know what's going to happen. ' While Republicans in both Florida and Washington, D.C., have been pushing aggressive policies, one GOP member of Congress is taking a different approach — and agrees that most of the undocumented are not criminals. 'It's just not the right thing to do, the Christian thing to do, or the intelligent thing to do to be deporting people who do not have a criminal record and who have been here for more than five years,' South Florida U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar told Punchbowl News this week. She was critical of the Biden administration, during which a large number of undocumented immigrants crossed the border seeking asylum, but says, 'All of these people that came in under Biden and those who have been here for many years with no criminal record, those are the ones I am out to defend. They came in illegally, true, but someone gave them a job and profited from their labor.' That was the sentiment of the protesters. 'I've heard people with clean records sent to detention camps,' said a man who wanted to be identified only by the first name of Chris, who traveled from Port Charlotte. 'I understand if they're going after criminals, but they're not,' added Lita, a woman who lives in Bradenton. 'They're going after everybody, and they're just saying that they're criminals. There have been people with no record who have already been sent to Guantánamo Bay. And thankfully they've been sent to their [home] countries already so they're not in that situation, but they're going after not just criminals, and that's the bad point.' The Trump administration originally said that everyone sent to Guantánamo was a hardened criminal and that many were members of Tren de Aragua, a gang that President Trump recently designated a foreign terrorist organization. But the Department of Homeland Security said last week that of the 178 Venezuelan immigrants sent to Guantánamo this month, 51 had no criminal record while 126 did have criminal records and 80 belonged to Tren de Aragua, according to NBC News. Robert People, 45, attending the demonstration, said he intends to run as a Democratic candidate in Florida's 15th Congressional District in 2026. That's the seat now held by Republican Laurel Lee. 'We rely on immigrants so much,' he said. 'To not only pick the strawberries for this festival but to pick our fruits and vegetables at the grocery store, and to do so much for us. To clean our hotels. And the message needs to be — we need to treat them like human beings. 'Despite what the message is out there, they're paying taxes just as much if not more than we are. And we need to treat them better, especially to help them gain asylum. They're trying to do the right things and it's our system that's slowing them down.' People was critical of Florida's new immigration enforcement law. Like other Democrats, he argued that, although illegal immigration is a serious problem, it's not the top priority for most Floridians. 'We have plenty of issues here. The rising costs of homeowners insurance as a result of climate change due to seeing more hurricanes in the area. We have a lot of issues in the state of Florida that are way more vital at the moment than for Ron DeSantis to be going after what the president wants.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
March Must-Attend Festivals: Events Worth Traveling For
Spring is finally here after a busy winter storm season. With temperatures warming up, if you are looking to travel - calling it a spring break is up to you - these are the most worthy events across the country. The Florida Strawberry Festival Feb. 27 – March 9 This is the most attended fair in Florida, which is shocking considering it's unlike the other events on this list. The family-friendly festival features a concert series including Reba McEntire, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Boys II Men, Nelly, John Fogerty and many more. Visitors won't want to miss the midway with all the classic fair activities such as games, amusement rides and food booths. There's also a neighborhood village where items handcrafted by people in the community are sold and a youth livestock show. Also worth considering: while around 90% of the domestic strawberry crop comes from California, the persistent rains this year have diminished harvesting, and a strawberry festival like this might be one of the best ways to get strawberries this year. Mardi Gras March 4 While Mardi Gras (often called Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday or simply Carnival), the last day before Lent, is celebrated in numerous Catholic countries around the world, the best place to celebrate the gluttonous holiday in the U.S. is in New Orleans. Every year, some one million tourists take over the city, according to The Associated Press, filling Bourbon Street with beads and spirits. Revelers won't want to miss the famous parade with Krewes and marching clubs. While this year the forecast is for high 70s and scattered thunderstorms, none of that will chase off the crowds, who will be celebrating rain or shine, and packing local bars to occupancy. Don't forget your King Cake! South By Southwest (SXSW) March 7 – 15 What originally started as a Southwestern music seminar in 1987 has exploded into a one-of-a-kind multimedia conference that is part music festival, part film festival, part comedy festival, all-around interactive experience that sees thousands visit Austin, Texas, in early March. Between countless official acts during the weeklong fair, as well as countless unofficial events throughout the city, there is something for everyone — if you can afford the prices and already sold-out tickets. With temperatures forecast to be in the 70s, this will also be a significant respite from the intense winter storms of February. Saint Patrick's Day March 17 While St. Patrick's Day officially falls on a Monday this year, there will be celebrations across the country the preceding weekend. New York, Chicago and Boston have the biggest and most well-known parades, but cities like Holyoke, Massachusetts, Dublin, California, and Savannah, Georgia, see thousands of guests flock to their events as well. If you can't make it to a major parade or celebration, check your local area's Irish bar, check the weather as mid-March can see anything, wear green and Sláinte! National Cherry Blossom Festival March 20 - April 13 Celebrating the friendship between Japan and the U.S., this three-week-long festival sees the stunning pink flowers bloom across the Capitol. With parties, kite events and a parade, there are plenty of events tied to the festival, but the best part is just being able to walk through Washington, D.C., and experience this alongside our national monuments. Local businesses also get caught in the spirit, including hotels and restaurants that are worth visiting. If you can't make it to D.C., there are other festivals around the country, including Macon, Georgia, described as 'The Cherry Blossom Capital of the World.'
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
It's Strawberry Weather In Florida And That Means It's Time For This Delicious Dessert
You might have heard recently about a shortage of California strawberries, fueled by rainy weather. But have no fear - Florida is here to help, especially with sweet juicy berries suitable for eating on their own or as a star ingredient in delicious desserts. The Sunshine State supplies most of the strawberry crop in the U.S. this time of year. And almost all of it grows in a place near Tampa called Plant City, known as the 'Winter Strawberry Capital of the Nation' and home to the annual Florida Strawberry Festival. The festival is full of strawberry sweet takes on everything from milkshakes to funnel cakes. (MORE: How To Make Snow Ice Cream) I grew up going to the strawberry festival every year, and took my own kids when they were little. For two years, writing about Florida strawberry farmers and the weather challenges they faced was part of my job as a reporter at the Tampa Bay Times. But eating the fruits of the labor was the best part. Purists might go straight for shortcake, but my mom's southern Indiana roots brought us angel food cake with strawberries when Florida berries were in season. Spoiler alert: Mom's cake was from a box mix, fancied up with powdered sugar icing and Cool Whip. (MORE: Think Spring With Pasta Primavera) I inherited my mom's angel food cake pan, and most of the time it just sits in my cabinet. But every once in a while, I put it to use. I'm well known for my flopped cakes and burnt cookies, yet I manage to make a pretty good angel food cake, based on this recipe from Food Network that's rated 'easy.' But also, we won't tell if you use a box. It was, after all, good enough for Mom. 2 cups egg whites (from about 16 large eggs - worth the splurge!) 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 1/2 cups sugar 2 cups cake flour 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract Parchment paper Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cut parchment paper to fit bottom of pan. Beat the egg whites at medium speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar and salt and beat until stiff peaks form. Beat in the sugar a few tablespoons at a time, for about 4 minutes until smooth and glossy. Transfer the egg whites to a large, wide bowl. With a fine sieve, gradually sift the flour over the egg whites, using a spatula to gently fold them in. Next, fold in the almond extract and vanilla. Scrape the batter into a 10-inch angel food cake pan (or tube pan). Slice through the cake batter several times with a table knife. This releases any large air bubbles. Then, gently tap the cake pan once or twice on the counter or flat surface. Bake in center of the oven for 20 minutes. Then, increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for another 35 minutes or so. It's done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Invert the pan onto the neck of a bottle or jar to let cool completely. Run a thin knife around the side and tube of the pan to loosen the cake. Unmold and transfer to a platter. Decorate or glaze as desired, and serve with fresh berries or other fruit. staff writer Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.
Axios
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Things to do in Tampa Bay this weekend
Musicals, fresh strawberries and fast cars — here's what's revving up around town this weekend. 📚 Head down to Clearwater for its annual " Night at the Library." The event celebrates and promotes African-American history and culture in the area with a stacked lineup of speakers, from educators to activists. The "Night at the Library" event runs from 5-8pm Friday at North Greenwood Library, 905 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. 🏎️ Catch this year's Firestone Grand Prix, when IndyCar racing takes over downtown St. Pete, speeding through a 1.8-mile, 14-turn waterfront course near Pioneer Park, the Mahaffey Theater, and more. Tickets start at $30. You can find the schedule here. 🍓 Enjoy a slice of strawberry shortcake at the Florida Strawberry Festival, and catch performances from headline artists Lauren Daigle on Saturday at 7:30pm and Bailey Zimmerman on Sunday at 7:30pm. Check out our guide for more information 👑 Take a peek behind the "happily ever afters" of iconic storybook princesses in a rendition of " DISENCHANTED!" at the Straz Center, with various showtimes this weekend. Tickets start at $54.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Denis Phillips and Paul LaGrone mark opening of Strawberry Festival
ABC Action News' Denis Phillips and Paul LaGrone talk to festival goers at the annual Florida Strawberry Festival.
