FOCUS Magazine

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! 🍓

09/04/2025

The Plant City Christmas Parade announced a new parade route for 2025. See the map below for details. The parade will be held on Friday, December 5.

PUBLIC NOTICE - 2025 NEW PARADE ROUTE

09/02/2025

This month's Rising Star, sponsored by Jarrett Scott Ford, is Caroline Newman.

Caroline Newman is a name familiar to FOCUS readers. She has served on the Junior Royalty Court and Little Miss Plant City Court. But for the first time, Newman appears in this month’s Rising Star feature. She cheers for the Lakeland Xpress Athletics Diamonds team.
“My favorite part is definitely stunting,” said Newman. “I love being challenged, and when you’re able to hit stunts that seemed so difficult to begin with, it’s just a great feeling.”
Newman previously cheered for the Plant City Dolphins and now cheers with the LXA Diamonds. She said the team is growing a bond quickly.
Newman said, “I also love how close our team is becoming. This is my first year on this team, and even though I was worried about not knowing anyone in the beginning, it’s definitely turning into a second family. We work hard but always seem to have a good time doing it!”
Her big goal this season is to perfect her back walkover and get her front handspring without the need for a spotter. When she isn’t at the cheer gym, she enjoys roller skating with her friends and making “Get Ready With Me” videos just for fun. She enjoys makeup and skincare.
While Newman may be the youngest of her four siblings at just 11 years old, this girl’s got big dreams. She hopes to continue cheering and earn a spot on a high school team and cheer in college. She says she wants to continue growing, getting stronger, and making more memories with her team.
“I might be the youngest in my family, but I’m working hard to follow in my sisters’ and brothers’ footsteps,” said Newman. “They’ve all done amazing things, and I’m proud to take on the challenge and make my own path too!”

08/29/2025

08/28/2025

What We Hide, filmed in , starring Mckenna Grace, Dacre Montgomery, and Jesse Williams, will premiere this weekend at Plant City Premiere LUX Cine & Pizza Pub. Producer Joseph Restaino will hold a Q&A after the 1:15 p.m. showing! Get your tickets at https://www.pccmovies.com/movie/PlantCity/What-We-Hide #

Restaino sat down with FOCUS writer Cheryl Johnston to give readers behind-the-scenes details on filming in Plant City! Read the article below.

08/11/2025

Happy First Day of School, Plant City! 🏫🎒📝 Comment your child's first day of school photo and their first name only to be featured in the August issue of FOCUS!

07/23/2025

MARK YOUR CALENDARS | 1916 Irish Pub Plant City is celebrating its 9th Anniversary on Friday, August 22! Free food, drinks and giveaways starting at 8pm!

07/04/2025

Happy 4th of July from the team at FOCUS! Have a safe and happy independence day!

06/26/2025

This month's Rising Star, sponsored by Jarrett Scott Ford, is Hayden Compton.

Hayden Compton, a wheelchair racer representing Durant High School, has quickly become a name to watch in the local adaptive sports scene. Competing in the 100, 200, 400, and 800-meter races, Compton’s dedication and talent were on full display at the recent FHSAA State Track & Field Competition, where he secured a gold medal in the 800m and three silvers in the 100m, 200m, and 400m events.

Compton's journey into wheelchair track began five years ago after a move to Las Vegas.

“After moving to Las Vegas in second grade, my adapted PE teacher sent home a flyer for an event called Paralympic Night,” said Compton. “My family and I went, I tried several sports, and track immediately felt natural because my whole family runs.”

His rigorous training ritual reflects his commitment: a dynamic warm-up, intense main workouts involving sprint intervals, endurance pushes, or technical drills, and consistent strength training, all capped with a focused cool-down.

Reflecting on his state championship success, Compton expressed immense pride in achieving a personal record, a testament to his season-long efforts.

“I felt proud of my performance,” said Compton. “I had worked all season to earn a personal record, and achieving it at states was incredibly rewarding. I do wish more athletes competed in the wheelchair division, and I hope that changes soon.”

His unwavering support system includes his family, who are his biggest cheerleaders, and a network of coaches and teammates who constantly push him to excel. Coach Lane at Durant and Carlos with HCAS, along with his former Las Vegas coach, provide invaluable guidance. Compton draws inspiration from adaptive sports pioneers Daniel Romanchuk and Tatyana McFadden, who exemplify the possibilities for adaptive athletes.

Looking ahead, Compton’s ambitions are clear: continued state-level victories, collegiate competition, and ultimately, representing Team USA at the Paralympics. Beyond the track, he’s an active member of the Durant community, playing wheelchair basketball and serving on the Student Council. At home, he enjoys relaxing in the pool.

Compton is passionate about spreading awareness for wheelchair track, urging anyone with a physical disability to explore the sport, highlighting programs like HCAS that offer opportunities for kids to try racing chairs and compete in ambulatory divisions. His goal is to foster a more inclusive and visible landscape of adaptive sports.

06/25/2025

ON STANDS NOW: The June issue of FOCUS features Jenkins Roofing Tampa, Inc. As hurricane season gets underway, the professionals at Jenkins Roofing Tampa are ready to assist residential and commercial businesses with all their roofing needs before and after the storm. Owners Tanner Jenkins and Karen Ruel take you behind the scenes of JRT. Inside, we feature the four recipients of the Officer of the Year award from this year's East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Association Appreciation Dinner. Pick your issue up now or read it online at: https://focusplantcity.com/focus-plant-city-24-06/

05/22/2025

Sean Cooper is this month's Rising Star, sponsored by Jarrett Scott Ford.

Sean Cooper's journey in baseball began unconventionally, sparked by playing on his brother's Wii at age two. This early interest soon transitioned to the real field, and by age six, Sean was playing in Plant City Little League under the guidance of his first coach, Donnie Newman. Sean’s dedication and talent led him through Pinecrest Little League, Pinecrest's All Stars, and South Brandon Little League.

Sean and Newman’s connection continued years later when, in 2022, Sean joined the Plant City OutKasts, a travel ball team also coached by Newman. Joining the OutKasts wasn't just about honing baseball skills; the OutKasts foster a leadership culture, encouraging their players to excel not only on the diamond but also within their schools and the wider community. The team's strong camaraderie was highlighted by their invitation to the 12U Tournament in Cooperstown, New York, in June 2024 – a memorable experience for Sean.

"Going to Cooperstown last summer was really fun and made our team feel like even more of a family than we do already," Sean shared.

Sean's versatility on the field is notable. Primarily a catcher, he is also a capable closing or backup pitcher. His pitching prowess was evident in April 2025 at the Grand Slam Super Regional, where his fastball reached a top velocity of 69 miles per hour, an impressive feat for a 13U player.

Donnie Newman said, “Coaching Sean since his very first year of baseball has been an absolute privilege. He may be quiet at first, but he lets his game do the talking. With a heart of gold and a relentless drive, I’ve watched him grow, not just as an athlete and teammate but as a remarkable young man. No matter which path he takes, his future is undeniably bright.”

As his family relocates to Georgia, Sean's time with the Plant City OutKasts has concluded. He values the experiences and relationships gained with the team, especially his continued mentorship with Coach Newman. He is now looking forward to continuing his baseball journey with a new team in Georgia.