FOCUS Magazine

11/14/2025

The Florida Strawberry Festival has announced the 2026 headline entertainment lineup headed to the Wish Farms Soundstage for . Tickets go on sale Thursday, December 11, at 8 a.m.

Introducing the lineup of headline entertainers headed to the Wish Farms Soundstage for 🤩 Tickets go on sale Thursday, December 11th at 8 a.m. EST. Remaining artists to be announced soon!

For ticket pricing and more info, visit https://flstrawberryfestival.com/2026-headline-entertainment-updated/

11/11/2025

Today, we salute the heroes who answered the call. Thank you to all American veterans for their sacrifice, courage and dedication to protecting our nation.

10/29/2025

1916 Irish Pub will host its annual Halloween Party on Friday, with live music by Coach & Four starting at 9PM and a $500 cash prize for the winner of this year's Costume Contest! It's going down at 2309 Thonotosassa Road this Friday night.

10/28/2025

Halloween is this Friday! 🕷 We have created a list of Halloween & spooky-themed events happening this week in Plant City! 🎃

10/26/2025

10/23/2025

This month's Jarrett Scott Ford Rising Star is Sophia Gonzalez.

10-year-old Sophia Gonzalez is on fire!

A member of the Tripping Billies 10U Softball team, Gonzalez is fun to watch on the mound. At the time of publication, her stats are 1.73 ERA, 77 strikeouts, 10 wins, and 2 losses. These are excellent stats for a 10u player, as Gonzalez showcases a high level of skill and effectiveness in keeping runs off the board and controlling the game. She started playing the sport only three years ago.

“I play shortstop, second base, and my favorite is pitching,” said Gonzalez. “I love pitching because I like the pressure and importance of the position.”

Her coach, Mike Valerius, says her growth over the past 22 months is incredible to witness.

"She is a great leader for these girls. She is an amazing teammate. She has really stepped into her role as our number one big game pitcher and embraced it…” said Coach Valerius.

In September, Tripping Billies competed in the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Central Florida Girl Power Championship in Kissimmee, Florida. The Tripping Billies beat the Florida Impact 7-5 and the Tampa Mustangs 5-3, arguably the top two teams in the state for the 10U age group.

Coach Valerius: “Watching what she was able to do that weekend in Kissimmee really solidified her place to me as one of the top pitchers in this area. For her to be able to come into a USSSA tourney on Sunday and take down the 1 and 2 seed, who can both arguably be called a top 5 10U team in the state of Florida, is just a testament to how hard this kid really does work at her craft to be one of the best players in this age group in the circle.”

Sophia says beating the Mustangs was one of her favorite memories of the season thus far.

“When my team beat the Tampa Mustangs 5-3 in a USSSA Tournament. They were a great team, and we were able to come out with the win while I was pitching.”

Gonzalez says her dad, Marcos, piqued her interest in the sport. Marcos played baseball and now works with Sophia to improve her skills and establish a routine to balance school and sports. And this proud dad is enjoying watching Sophia dominate some of the toughest teams in the state.

Sophia has dreams of playing for Texas Tech University and following in the footsteps of one of the best college pitchers in the United States: NiJaree Canady. Gonzalez said she is motivated to be the best and knows hard work pays off.

10/10/2025

This month's Jarrett Scott Ford Rising Star is Maddie Hardwick.

Plant City High School’s Maddie Hardwick has a lot to be proud of.

In February 2025, Hardwick and the Plant City High School Cheer team were named the 2025 Small NT D1 Champions, Small NT WSCC World Champions, and Grand World Champions. This was not only the first time PCHS had achieved this trio of awards, but the first time any school in Hillsborough County had.

Hardwick cherishes the memories of hearing the “City Girls,” as they’re affectionately known, being called the winners.

“The feeling was exhilarating, and it will always be a moment I will never forget.”

But now, in her senior year, she is chasing the title again this season.

“My goals for the rest of my high school cheerleading career are to hit at Nationals, hit at states, and continue to lead and support my teammates throughout this season,” said Hardwick.

Cheerleading is a sport that Hardwick fell in love with at the age of three and says she always looked up to the older cheerleaders, wanting to be just like them. At that young age, she was the PCHS Cheer Team’s mascot; her love for the Raiders runs deep.

Hardwick says one of the biggest misconceptions about cheerleading is that it’s a “football-supporting team.”

“The biggest misconception people have about cheerleading is that cheerleaders are only responsible for sidelines and pep rallies; however, this is far from true,” said Hardwick. “In competitive cheerleading, we begin practicing in June for four hours a week, then during the school year we practice 10 hours a week.”

These long hours can make balancing school and sports challenging, but it’s rewarding—figuratively and literally—when Plant City High School hits the mat at competitions this season.

“The thing I love most about cheer is the friendships you build and keep while doing a sport you love,” said Hardwick. “My favorite part of cheerleading is stunting, since we are a non-tumbling team. While I have regained my ability to tumble, it is still most fun to be able to do the sport with your best friends. I find it most rewarding because at competitions, our difficulty scores will be high and we will get better ex*****on scores.”

The Plant City High School Cheerleaders are capable of greatness, especially with Maddie Hardwick on their team. The community will closely follow the team’s success as Hardwick hopes to make her senior year the best one yet.

10/09/2025

Renowned artist John Briggs is on the cover of FOCUS, representing the 48th Annual Pioneer Day, presented by the East Hillsborough Historical Society. This Saturday, October 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., this free event features live entertainment, museum exhibitions, and more at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, located at 605 N. Collins Street. Briggs will demonstrate the lithograph, featured on the cover. Learn more about this Saturday's event and more at https://focusplantcity.com/focus-plant-city-24-09/

09/12/2025

ON STANDS NOW | Ryan Dush founded Bay to Bay Stucco & Stone in 2011. Throughout the years, the company has grown to a statewide contractor specializing in complete exterior finish systems. Pick up a copy on stands or read online now at https://focusplantcity.com/focus-plant-city-24-08/

09/08/2025

The Florida Strawberry Festival announced
today the theme for its 91st annual event - "Still Growing."

"Still Growing' beautifully captures who we are as a Festival and as a community," said Florida Strawberry Festival Chairman of the Board Pam Warnock. "We are growing in the number of guests we welcome, in the rides and attractions we offer, in our agriculture and livestock shows, and in the strawberries that make Plant City so special. Each year we continue to evolve, and this theme reminds us that our story is still being written."

A new theme is created for each year's Festival to offer patrons a glimpse of
the experience they will have at the 11-day event. It also unifies vendors, FFA chapters, organizations, corporate partners and exhibitors, who create parade floats and displays throughout the event.

The Festival's iconic strawberry character takes center stage in this year's themed artwork, a cornerstone of the event's branding and advertising. Surrounded by a field of strawberries and lively festival scenes, the beloved berry sports sunglasses and an FSF-branded farmer's hat while holding a crate of fresh strawberries in front of the GT Grandstands. The design reflects the
Festival's continued growth in agriculture, entertainment, and community, while paying tribute to Plant City's rich strawberry industry.

"The Florida Strawberry Festival has always been rooted in agriculture and family traditions," said Warnock. "Just like the strawberries we celebrate, we are still growing and that growth allows us to provide new experiences while honoring the heritage that makes this Festival so loved."

Our 2026 theme celebrates the traditions, community, and agriculture that make Plant City’s Florida Strawberry Festival so special. Each year we grow together, and each year the story continues. Mark your calendars—it’s going to be sweeter than ever! 🍓