New history center highlights Queens through the years at 89th Florida Strawberry Festival [Video]

PLANT CITY, Fla. – The 89th Florida Strawberry Festival begins Thursday and there will be all of the traditional food and entertainment to enjoy, but there’s a new feature this year that highlights the festival’s great history.

“Last year, we had a record-breaking year,” said Stephanie Shuff, the festival’s Chairman of Parking. “We had over 600,000 people in attendance.”

Agriculture is the backbone, but so are the many volunteers who work tirelessly to bring the festival to life.

“This festival – it wouldn’t run as smooth as it does without thousands of volunteers that we have,” explained Shuff.

Shuff is one of those volunteers. The day before the event can be hectic and exhausting.

READ: Inside Plant City’s Wish Farms warehouse during strawberry season

“You’re almost on a high the whole time because you are walking around on so much adrenaline, and it’s joyful because it’s a family reunion every year,” said Shuff. “Getting together …