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Nothing Old About This Fashion

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

gnewman@tampatrib.com

Published: February 11, 2009

PLANT CITY - Meat and potatoes, strawberry cake, Florida Gator colors, and glitz and glamour in a variety of styles came together at the 32nd annual Florida Strawberry Festival Fashion Show and Luncheon.

About 70 Plant City men, women and children walked the runway, modeling everything from formal wear to casual wear at the Jan. 29 event, delighting the audience of more than 600 guests.

The festival expo hall was set up with 65 dining tables, a stage with a large American flag as a backdrop and a 50-foot runway.

Chairwoman of the event, Linda Walden, her co-chairwoman and daughter Suzanne Cribbs, and the fashion show committee began organizing the event in October.

"My thanks go out to all the committee members who worked so hard to make this year's show and luncheon such a huge success," Walden said. "Our ladies who attended came from all over the area and they love to make a full day of it. The festival directors, royalty members and their families did a wonderful job modeling a wide variety of fashions. We thank all the sponsors for their help and participation."

Erica Riggins, news anchor for cable news station Bay News 9, gave smooth and familiar commentary as the fashion show proceeded without a hitch.

"Erica was with us last year," Walden said. "She does a wonderful job as the emcee. She has a comfortable manner that fits our show perfectly."

Fashions were sponsored by Bealls, Sisters & Co., Cowboys Western World, Denise Young's Boutique, Camellia Rose Tea Room, Southside Farm and Pet Supply, Fashion Home & Gifts-Urban Cowboy, De Javu Upscale Boutique and others.

Catering was provided by Southern Gourmet Catering.

More than 30 years ago the first festival fashion show and luncheon was held in the basement of First Presbyterian Church, with about 50 guests in the audience. Lynn Brewer was one of the original organizers.

"Mary Gardner was the caterer of the first fashion shows," Brewer said. "My time was most often spent helping her."
Catherine Clark and Vonelle Miles Robinson were also original committee members.

"Those early fashion shows set a precedent of what has grown to become a much larger and elaborate event," Brewer said. "It was an enjoyable and fun time for all of us. It's a lot of work. But I'm sure it still remains a fun event today."

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451.

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