More than 70 models, including beauty queens and city officials, took to the runway for the Florida Strawberry Festival's annual fashion show. A crowd of more than 550 – mostly women – saw fashions that ranged from western wear to evening gowns. The show, now in its 34th year, is more than a social event for general chairwoman Linda Walden.
"It's like being part of a large family. The festival has become a unifying image and entity for every resident in our community," she said. Walden took over as chairwoman more than 30 years ago with the encouragement of her husband Jim, a festival director who died of cancer in 1994.
"Being a part of the festival family has helped me retain so many good memories," she said. Her brother-in-law, Doug Walden, was reelected for a second term as festival treasurer in April. The fashion show was held Jan. 27 at the expo building on the festival grounds.
The festival, with a theme, "Taste The Flavor Of Fun!" runs March 3 to 13. The fashion show helps create enthusiasm is advance of the festival, said Mike Sparkman, a city commissioner and festival association president. At the show, "relatives and friends even come from out-of-state to have fun and enjoy the fashions," he said.
Turkey Creek Middle School teacher Suzanne Cribbs has co-chaired the event almost as many years as her mother Linda Walden has been the general chairwoman.
"We thought the best way to accent the festival theme would be to 'Taste the Flavor of Fun with Fashion' so we created the centerpieces using food containers with popcorn, cotton candy, a snow cone and the image of a fashion model. Our caterer, Southern Gourmet, adds a strawberry parfait to complete the theme look. "
The mistress of ceremonies was ABC Action News anchor Linda Hurtado. Describing herself as "Just a mom with one child in college and another in first grade," Hurtado added, "We are very busy with family activities and always enjoy the festival. I grew up in the South so I am very familiar with the tradition of pageants and am so pleased that former strawberry queens, the present queen Natalie Burgin, court members, and the recent Junior Royalty winners for 2011 will be part of the more than 70 models seen today. The rest of the models are festival directors, associate directors, civic leaders and their families."
Before starting the show, she noted the models presented fashions from local retailers that included Bealls, Camellia Rose Tea Room, Cowboys Western World, Southside Farm & Pet Supply, Sister's and Company and De'Javu Boutique.
Janet Rollyson, a festival model and fashion show coordinator for 30 years, carried her fashionable granddaughter Rylan in her arms while grandfathers and great-grandfathers also took to the runway.
Festival director emeritus Bruce Galloway wore a yellow button-down shirt that coordinated with his great-granddaughter Savannah Schibler's funky outfit with yellow tights.
Sparkman, who could boast of having five family members in the show, including his wife Diane, strolled with granddaughter Kate Elizabeth Solomon who waved at the crowd.
Festival General Manager Paul Davis, who delivered the show's welcoming address with Sparkman, grinned as he watched grandkids Madison and Logan Davis walk down the lighted catwalk dressed as a cowboy and cowgirl.
Other models included Commissioner Mary Mathis, who wore movie star diamante' sunglasses and a zebra-striped trench coat and carried matching zebra-striped luggage.
Three couples took the spotlight together; City Commissioner Rick Lott and his wife Di, Commissioner Bill Dodson and his wife Silvia, and retired Air Force Master Sgt. Dwight Lucy and his wife Barbara.
Devon Parke created a poignant moment as she walked down the runway in memory of her grandfather, longtime grower Roy Parke, wearing his favorite color — strawberry red. Parke, known as the Strawberry King, died in 2008.
Local dance theater director Sharon Everidge, who is getting married this month, came down the runway wearing an antique satin wedding dress. Sparkman said the fashion show reflected the festival itself. "The strawberry festival has something for everybody," Sparkman said.