Despite Death Of Original Band Member, Lynyrd Skynyrd Show Goes On

PLANT CITY, FL — Lynyrd Skynyrd will go on with their performance at the Florida Strawberry Festival at the festival fairgrounds in Plant City on Sunday, March 12, despite the death of band member Gary Rossington at the age of 71.

Lynyrd Skynyrd announced Rossington's death on their Facebook page Sunday.

"It is with our deepest sympathy and sadness that we have to advise that we lost our brother, friend, family member, songwriter and guitarist Gary Rossington today," wrote the band. "Gary is now with his Skynyrd brothers and family in heaven and playing it pretty, like he always does."

"Our festival has lost a great friend, entertainer and music icon," said Florida Strawberry Festival President Paul Davis."Our hearts go out to his entire family, all his fans and to the thousands of people whose lives he has enriched. We know we will have a special guest and guardian angel watching over this performance."

The last founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington is best known for his performance on the slide guitar on the band's anthem, "Free Bird." A skilled guitarist and songwriter, he cheated death twice.

The first time was in 1976 when his drove his Ford Torino into a tree, inspiring the song "That Smell."

A year later, in 1977, he survived the plane crash that killed lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and vocalist Cassie Gaines. He walked away from the crash with two broken arms, a broken leg and a punctured stomach and liver.

The Lynyrd Skynyrd concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on the Wish Farms Soundstage. Tickets are still available for purchase.

Also scheduled to perform are:

• CeCe Winans on Tuesday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m.
• Tanya Tucker on Wednesday, March 8, at 3:30 p.m.
• The Pointer Sisters on Wednesday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m.
• Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets on Thursday, March 9, at 10:30 a.m.
• Tommy James & The Shondells on Thursday, March 9, at 3:30 p.m.
• For King + Country on Thursday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m.
• Wayne Newton on Friday, March 10, at 3:30 p.m.
• Train on Friday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m.
• Sawyer Brown on Saturday, March 11, at 3:30 p.m.
• The Isley Brothers on Saturday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m.
• The Leroy Van Dyke Country Gold Tour, featuring Leroy Van Dyke, T.G. Sheppard, Mandy Barnett and T. Graham Brown on Sunday, March 12, at 3:30 p.m.

Click here for tickets.

Free entertainment includes:

• Rockland Road will perform at noon, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily at the Entemann's Strawberry Tent
• Kazual will perform at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. daily at the Entemann's Strawberry Tent
• The Jersey Girls will perform daily at 11 a.m. 1 and 3 p.m. at the Publix Entertainment Tent
• Dennis Lee will perform daily at noon, 2 and 4 p.m.
• Runa Pacha "Indian World" will perform at 11 a.m., noon, 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
• Robinson's Racing Pigs will run at 11 a.m., noon, 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m.

• The Nerveless Nocks Jetpack Flying Water Circus will take place daily at 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
• 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., & 6:30 p.m.
• Scott's World of Magic will wow visitors at 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.
• Mr. & Miss Berry will make the rounds from 11 to 11:30 a.m., 3:30 to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 6 p.m.
• Rock-It The Robot shows are at 1, 3 and 6 p.m.
• Dakin Dairy Farmers Milking Parlor has shows at noon, 2 and 4 p.m.

The Belle City Midway features more than 80 thrill rides, kiddie rides and games. The midway opens daily at noon except on Saturday, Sunday and Monday when it opens at 10 a.m.

The Kiddie Korral opens daily at 10 a.m.

The Kids Koloring Korner sponsored by Simply Healthcare Plans is located in Kidde Korral south of Neighborhood Village and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

The Berry Big Wheel on East Independent near Neighborhood Village features 36 fully enclosed, colorful gondolas, each holding up to six riders. The wheel spins riders for a full 10 minutes and costs $7 per person. Weighing 400,000 pounds and towering 15 stories high, the wheel is strung with 528,000 vibrant, energy-saving LED lights.

The 2023 Super Dog Mega Corndog Eating Contest will take place Wednesday, March 8 at 1 p.m. in the Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent.

The 2023 Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest will take place Thursday, March 9 at 2 p.m. on the Stingray Chevrolet Entertain Tent stage.

The 2023 Strawberry Mashed Potato Pie Eating Contest will take place Friday, March 10 at 3 p.m. in the Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent.

The 2023 Baby Parade will take place Saturday, March 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the GT Grandstands.

The 2023 Neighborhood Village, sponsored by Kitchen Craft, is dedicated to the homemade and handcrafted items created by folks in the community including:

• Cake Decorating
• Baking
• Food Preservation
• Home Decoration
• Jewelry
• Knitting, Crocheting and Tatting
• Hand Embroidery and Needlework
• Quilts
• Photo Scrapbooking
• Toys, Dolls, Games
• Wearing Apparel
• Upcycled Wearables
• Paper Crafts
• Adhesive/Heat Transfer Vinyl Crafts
• Woodworking and Carving

The Florida Strawberry Fesitval Fine Arts Show entries will be on display during the festival.

The Plant City Garden Club will host its horticulture show throughout the festival.

Entries for the 2023 Photography Contest will be on display.

Meander through the Swindle Family and Astin Farms Livestock Pavilionsfor an up-close and personal look at dozens of breeds of cattle, swine, poultry, lambs, sheep and rabbits.

Upcoming youth livestock shows include:

• The Mosaic Youth Steer Show Wednesday, March 8 at 6 p.m.
• The Mosaic Youth Steer Showmanship Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m.
• Beef Breed Showmanship Friday, March 10 at 6 p.m.
• The Mosaic Youth Steer Sale Saturday, March 11 at 7 p.m.
• Beef Breed Show Sunday, March 12 at 11 a.m.
• The Mosaic poultry and rabbit exhibits daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The 11-day Florida Strawberry Festival celebrating the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County kicked off Thursday and continues through Sunday.

Special discount days include:

• Wednesday, March 8 is American Heroes Day — All active, reserve and retired military veterans, law enforcement, first responders and health care professionals are admitted for free with a valid ID. A wristband purchased at the midway for $25 will entitle the wearer to ride most mechanical rides.
• Thursday, March 9 is Senior Citizens Day — Patrons age 60 and older get $2 off the gate admission of $10 all day. A prize will be given away at 11:45 a.m. following the 10:30 a.m. show on the Wish Farms Soundstage to a lucky senior citizen whose ticket is drawn from the barrel.
• Thursday is also O'Reilly Auto Parts Ride-A-Thon Day from noon to 11 p.m. — A wristband purchased at the midway for $25 gives the wearer access to most mechanical rides for this one low price. Present a voucher from participating O’Reilly Auto Parts stores at the midway ticket booth to receive $5 off a $25 wristband.
• Friday, March 10 is Moonlight Magic Night from 10 p.m. to 2 p.m. Ride most mechanical rides for $30 per person.
• Saturday, March 11 is Farm Worker Appreciation Day — Farmworkers receive free admission with a voucher from Astin Farms. Present a Circle K register receipt and receive $5 off the $35 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for $30 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Sunday, March 12 is Family Day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Present any empty Coca-Cola brand can or plastic bottle product at the entry gate to receive a voucher for $5 off the $30 wristband and ride most mechanical rides from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. for $25.

Each year, more than 500,000 visitors enjoy the festival's headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, exhibits of commerce and strawberry shortcake.