The Florida Strawberry Festival queen pageant is ditching its swimsuit competition. Pageant officials had received complaints in recent years that some contestants were showing too much skin. But the complaints didn't factor into the decision to replace the swimsuits with a casual wear competition, a pageant official said today. ...more

July 24, 2008

Katie Sharer has had her fair share of success in the beauty pageant world, but after making a top 10 finish at the recent 2008 Miss Florida Pageant in St. Petersburg, Sharer said she is 21 and done. ...more

July 23, 2008

If you thought the flower girls at the recent Florida Strawberry Festival queen pageant looked liked they were dressed a little spiffier this year, you were right. Business owner Frances Hardee donated red and white dresses to replace the old ones, which were more than 20 years old. ...more

February 11, 2008

In a narrow walkway behind a red curtain, Holly Farmer was teaching her protege how to strut on the runway. ...more

February 9, 2008

Here are some highlights and notes from the Feb. 2 Florida Strawberry Festival queen's pageant: ...more

February 9, 2008

No one ever will know if the late Megan Carpenter would have been Florida Strawberry Festival queen, but her compassion was remembered at this year's pageant. ...more

February 9, 2008

Spectators at the Florida Strawberry Festival queen pageant may have thought they were seeing double. ...more

February 7, 2008

A 19-year-old Southeastern University freshman was crowned Florida Strawberry Festival queen Saturday, besting a field of 25 candidates for the title. ...more

February 3, 2008

A 19-year-old Southeastern University freshman was crowned Florida Strawberry Festival queen this evening. ...more

February 2, 2008

PLANT CITY - Summer Pippin's reign as Florida Strawberry Festival queen is drawing to a close. On Saturday, she will crown one of 25 young women who are competing for the title coveted by many girls who grow up in the Plant City area. ...more

February 2, 2008