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Strawberry Revelers Rosy Despite Chill

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By GEORGE WILKENS

gwilkens@tampatrib.com

Published: March 3, 2009

PLANT CITY - As always, Monday's Florida Strawberry Festival Grand Feature Parade drew throngs of area kids who traditionally get a school holiday to enjoy the procession.

But plenty of adults found time to jockey for prime parade positions along downtown Plant City route.

"It's something you don't miss," said Virginia Griffin, 65, perched on the tailgate of a pickup in a Reynolds Street parking lot. "I was born and raised here, and been to every one."

To compensate for the afternoon's cool, breezy weather, Griffin - wrapped in a sheet - explained how she happened to wind up in the shade.

"Usually we're over there and burning up," she said, pointing to an open area near the post office, prime real estate she and her large family often stake out. "We got a tan" last year it was so sunny, she joked. "Then, when we had an opportunity to be here, it turned cold."

To take advantage of the "comfortable seat" of her husband's three-wheeled motorcycle, Ruth Grone leaned back and viewed the parade from 100 feet away in the warmth of the sun.

"My coat is there," she said, pointing to the garment she had shed. "He has his coat on," she said of her husband, John, seated near the curb.

Those on the sunny side of the street included Ronnie Taylor of Lakeland, who brought his children to the 1 p.m. parade.

"I left work early and picked them up from day care early so they could see it," he said of Brock, 3, and Brook, 11/2, who, from the comfort of their red Radio Flyer wagon, waved at passing Egypt Shrine clowns.

Area schools cancel classes for the parade, which draws some 100 entries, including convertible-riding politicians, horse-drawn wagons, commercial floats, marching bands and assorted other groups.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433. To view a gallery of more than 160 photos from the parade, use keyword: Grand Parade. To see more than 140 photos from the festival's baby contest, use keyword: PC Baby Contest. To view a gallery o

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