Valrico
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January 2025 Volume 23, Issue 1
Ph: 813-657-2418
Y EIAN R REVIEW Pages 14-17
CELEBRATING 23 YE ARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL OFFERS RECORD-BREAKING MUSIC HEADLINERS
Staff Report
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANASOTA, FL PERMIT #1456
The Florida their talent Strawberry and exciteFestival anment to our nounced a stage. With record breaksuch amazing ing sell out for performances headliner Reba in store, this McEntire’s upyear’s festival coming perforis sure to be mance at the one for the 90th annual books. We’ve event. McEnworked hard tire is set to to create an perform Friday, event that Photos Courtesy of Florida Strawberry Festival®. February 28, Boyz II Men, Nate Smith, Lynard Skynard and Home Free pictured. c e l e b r a t e s at 7:30 p.m. on not just our the Wish Farms Soundstage community’s love for strawand the concert sold out shortberries but also our shared ly after ticket sales went live in passion for music, fun and December 2024. tradition. Get ready — ‘The “We are very excited to anStage Is Set!’, and we can’t nounce that McEntire’s concert wait to see you there!” at the Florida Strawberry FestiIn addition to headline val has set an opening-day-tickentertainment, the event et sales record. We learned just will host more than 20 onhow many people love Reba and grounds entertainers, over how many people love the Flori85 rides, 150 food vendors, da Strawberry Festival,” said Florida Straw- seven livestock shows, six food contests and berry Festival President Kyle Robinson. “The hundreds of arts and crafts. festival directors and staff work hard to The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11bring the best musical artists possible to day community event celebrating the strawour guests each year, and I am pleased we berry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough Councould bring Reba to Plant City once again in ty. Each year, more than 600,000 visitors 2025. We can’t wait to welcome her and all enjoy the festival’s headline entertainment, her fans to BerryFest25, where ‘The Stage is youth livestock shows, exhibits of commerce Set’ for an unforgettable evening.” and, of course, strawberry shortcake. The Although McEntire is sold out, there are 2025 Florida Strawberry Festival, where 11 additional days of live performances to ‘The Stage Is Set!’, will take place from see. Thursday, February 27, through Sunday, “As we unveil our headline entertainment March 9, at 2209 W. Oak Ave. in Plant City. for BerryFest25, I am beyond excited to For more information, visit www.flstrawbersay this year’s theme perfectly captures ryfestival.com, Facebook, Instagram, X and the energy and anticipation surrounding TikTok (#berryfest25). Reserved seat tickour incredible lineup,” said Robinson. “We’re ets are still available for the festival’s oththrilled to welcome chart-topping stars like er headline entertainment acts and can be Lauren Daigle, The Beach Boys, Nelly, Jon purchased on its website https://flstrawberPardi, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sawyer Brown, Bailey ryfestival.com/, over the phone at 813-754Zimmerman and many more, who will bring 1996 or at the Amscot Main Ticket Gate 1.
SCRATCH KITCHEN, BREWPUB & GATHERING SPOT IN VALRICO
Staff Report
After spendBefore opening 25 years in ing, Ciulla actithe staffing invated young artdustry, Chris Ciists from Durant ulla decided it High School to was time for a design custom change. Honoring doors that are a long-standing now hanging as promise to his artwork around wife, he returned the pub, yet anto Florida to open other sign of his his own business. commitment to He chose Voodoo Voodoo Brewing Co. in Valrico recently hosted a rib- the community. bon-cutting with the Valrico/Fishhawk Chamber. Brewing Co. for In January, a ribits mix of flexibility and local bon-cutting with the Valrico/ focus, allowing him to create Fishhawk Chamber of Coma brewpub that fits perfectly merce further introduced the in the Valrico community. restaurant to the community. Ciulla’s new Voodoo Voodoo Brewing Co. in ValBrewing Co. location offers rico is located at 3432 S.R. scratch-made food, craft 60. For more information, beer and a unique Founder’s visit https://valrico.voodooClub to give back to local charities. His brewery.com/. goal is simple: to create a space where About Voodoo Brewing Co. locals can enjoy great meals, connect More than just a brewery, Voodoo with friends and feel part of something Brewing Co. is a community of passionspecial. ate beer lovers dedicated to pushing “My hope is that we have a thriving, the boundaries of craft beer. Alongside successful restaurant. We have a scratch world-renowned ‘liquid gold,’ provided kitchen with incredible food. We have directly from the brewery, local owners a proper chef. Everything’s made from offer killer food, craft cocktails and hard scratch every day, including the french seltzer in their community-focused brewfries, including our dressings — every- pubs. Each location has a customized thing is made on premise. My hope is logo, locally inspired menu and consistent that we have a lot of success together local events, allowing Voodoo Brewing and that we continue to open up more Co. franchise partners to become truly restaurants in the area to serve our com- immersed in their communities. With 20 munity.” locations across multiple states, Voodoo The scratch kitchen and brewpub Brewing Co. has already captured the opened in early December 2024 to a re- hearts of beer enthusiasts nationwide sounding welcome from the community. and has proven itself as the fastest-grow“We shattered our goals for opening ing brewpub franchise in the world. For week thanks to the support of the exec- more information, visit the website at utive team,” said Ciulla. “Erik Ivey, our https://voodoofranchising.com/. chief operating officer, rallied his team on-site to help us win, and he personally spent eight hours doing kitchen prep NO STRESS PCS ...................................PG 3 with executive chef John while other team members supported our front-of- GALLERY AT SOUTH TAMPA.........PG 7 house team. With this level of support STORYTELLING WORKSHOP.......PG 15 from the franchisor, I see a bright future YEAR IN REVIEW .................. PGS 14-17 for us in the community.”
IN THIS ISSUE:
Postal Customer
EYE ON BUSINESS. .............. PGS 24-25
ECRWSS EDDM Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
VOODOO BREWING CO. OPENS
CANTINAFamily Meals $49.95 COMBO FAMILY MEAL OPTIONS (Serves 4 to 6-Take Out Only)
Choose One Pound of TWO *Proteins Meals include white or yellow rice, black beans, tossed salad & dressing, Cuban bread w/ olive butter and a 2 liter soda. CHOICE OF ONE PROTEIN -Picadillo (2lbs)* -Ropa Vieja (2 lbs)* -Lechon Asado (2 lbs)* -Pescado a la Rusa (4 fillets) -Baked Chicken (4 leg quarters) -Breaded Palomilla Steak (4 steaks) -Bistec Milanesa Pick up available starting at 11:00 am! Cocktails & Wine Available Dine In & Take Out (with food purchase)
702 W. Lumsden Rd. Brandon | (813)685-0502 | www.lasep www.laseptimacafe.com Mon - Sat 11 am - 8 pm Closed Sunday 29 Years in Brandon!