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and Michelle Spivey have three southern grill locations throughout the festival. They offer something for the whole family like turkey legs, corn dogs, hamburgers and chicken. Michelle says her family has been grilling at the festival for the past 31 years. Johnson’s Barbecue and Fred’s Market are culinary landmarks in Plant City. Festival guests can try their most popular dishes at the booth that has been located by the Wish Farm sound stage for the past 30 years. Southern comfort food like fried catfish, pulled pork sandwiches and fried green tomatoes are favorites on the menu. “I have worked off and on at this location for the past 10 years and I have heard so many concerts while working. It is pretty cool!” Jack and Gina Roig run Giraldo’s and offer festival guests authentic cuban
LOCAL CONCESSIONS F BY SHANA MITCHELL
rom fair food favorites like buttermilk dipped corn dogs to authentic cuban dishes and downhome southern barbecue, there’s a lot to choose from at the Strawberry Festival. Let’s take a look at the local business who come out year after year to feed the festival. Our first stop is Nippy’s Original Buttermilk Corn Dogs. Steve Nippy has been serving his hand dipped corn dogs at the strawberry Festival for the past 37 years. He prides himself on quality ingredients “I believe in putting out a good quality product. It is a family recipe and I use all beef hotdogs.” Festival visitor Jeanne Gogh looks for the Nippy’s stand every year and has even brought her friend Kim Donovan from Ontario Canada to try this one of a kind corn dog. Gogh says, “It is not too greasy 34
MARCH 2015 focusplantcity.com
or heavy. You can taste the buttermilk batter, different from other fair food. You can tell they are very fresh.” This is Steve Nippy’s last year at the Florida Strawberry Festival. He says after 37 years he has given it a good run and plans to remain active in some way but is ready to retire his famous corn dog stand. Another favorite concession stand is Vickie Wilson’s Morning Glory Mini Doughnuts. Wilson has lived in Plant City for 41 years and is very involved in the community. She says the secret behind her delicious doughnuts is all the love she pours into the preparation. Vince Valentino’s London Broil stand offers fresh meat and vegetables hot off the grill. He moved to Plant City in 1983 to avoid a long commute to the festival. “I have stayed here ever since,” he said. Local Plant City Residents Rodney
cuisine like chicken and yellow rice, fried stuffed potatoes, and original cuban sandwiches. “I love seeing people who I have grown up with since I was born and raised in this town.” He says this is the biggest event he does throughout the year and is very beneficial to his business. You can find Netterfield fair favorites located all over the festival ground serving up cotton candy, candy apples, popcorn, homemade pizza, chicken on a stick and fresh squeezed lemonade. They have been at the festival for over 50 years. Kim Netterfield says “coming out to the Strawberry Festival is like coming home, we have so many friends here.” With so many delicious choices, you can support local plant City businesses while satisfying your tastes buds at the florida Strawberry Festival.