Mission of the SUNDAY, Citrus County Chamber of Commerce February 18, 2018 The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce is an organization of Promotional information provided businesses unified in efforts to advance the economic growth of the region, promote the interests of the business community, provide key D3 by the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce. leadership on key commerce issues and preserve the county’s quality of life. Chamber Connection 915 N. Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River, FL 34429 · 352-795-3149 · 106 W. Main St., Inverness, FL 34450 · 352-726-2801 31st Annual Floral City Strawberry Festival Event will be held at Floral Park March 3, 4 he sweet, sweet fragrance of one Dan signed a recording contract with of spring’s most favored delica- Radiance Records resulting in the re- cies will fill the air when the lease of the CD 300 HORSES in 2005. T 31st Annual Floral City Straw- Over the years, they have shared the berry Festival comes to Floral Park on stage with Charlie Daniels, George March 3 and 4, 2018. Jones, Mark Chestnut and many other This annual rite of spring, produced great musicians. See why these four by the Citrus County Chamber of Com- guys are among the hottest and hardest merce with support from Presenting working country acts in the South! Sponsor Insight Credit Union, is a sa- Rounding out the musical stage enter- lute to local agriculture that features tainment is TJ Brown. Thomas Junior the strawberries of our local grower, Brown — known as “T.J.” — was born in Ferris Farms. It is the perfect opportu- the hills of Kentucky and moved to rural nity to indulge in first-of-the-season Florida at the tender age of 9. He grew local strawberries in delicious straw- up in a small town and played sports berry shortcake and as a special treat to throughout most of his school years. “As take home by the flat and half-flat! far back as I can remember, I was sing- Floral City Strawberry Festival Sponsors ing karaoke at family reunions. I was big Presenting: Insight Credit Union into country music back then”. This cre- Silver: Royal Dalton House ative singer/songwriter prides himself Bronze: Brannen Bank, Suncoast Credit Union on being totally self-taught. “I have Pie-Eating Contest: Cadence Bank, never had a vocal or guitar lesson,” he Rock Monsters, Inc. says. “I don’t know how to read music. I have never done anything the ‘easy Media: Citrus County Chronicle, Tampa Bay Times, way.’” But through his wide variety of Citrus 95.3/The Fox 96.7/Naturecoast Country Z103.3, music genres, his goal is to touch people HomeTown Values, WXJB 99.9 FM with his songs and help people with his music – a goal he accomplishes every time his audience hears him. T.J. Brown will open the music children build self-esteem. It is not a garden by the main stage. entertainment at the Festival from 11 a.m. highly competitive event. Applications Floral City Strawberry Festival hours to participate are on the Strawberry are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and to 2 p.m. Saturday. Festival website at www.GoStrawberry- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Entrance fee Fest.com. is $5 for guests 12 and older. Park free But the Floral City Strawberry Festi- The extremely popular and extremely at the Citrus County Auditorium and val is about so much more than just messy pie-eating contests return on both take a shuttle to the Festival location. those luscious, sweet, refreshing and Saturday and Sunday. There will be For information, contact the Citrus HEALTHY strawberries. This year contests for adults, along with special County Chamber of Commerce at 352- brings the Citrus County debut of J.R. contests for the little ones and maybe 795-3149, or www.GoStrawberryFest. Moore, a rising country singer from even super competitive “rival” contests. com. Floral Park is located at 9530 S. Memphis, TN. A country music veteran Signups to participate in the contests Parkside Ave., Floral City, FL 34426. of over a decade with the band, Ingram will take place onsite at the festival both Hill, J.R. has toured nationally along- mornings. side Maroon 5, Hootie And the Blowfish, Children’s activities play a big role in Guster, Better Than Ezra, Lisa Marie the Strawberry Festival and will keep Presley, and Hanson. J.R.’s songs with the little ones entertained for hours. Ingram Hill have appeared multiple J.R. Moore, a rising country singer from Look for a petting zoo, an exciting vari- times across Billboard’s Top Heatseek- Memphis, TN, will headline the main stage ety of inflatables and bounce houses, ers, Top Country Albums, and Adult Top at the Strawberry Festival on Saturday, the ever-popular aqua tumble bubbles, 40 charts. March 3, from 2-5 p.m. a climbing rock wall and much more. And the music entertainment doesn’t Nearly 300 booths filled with craft art- stop there! The perpetually-favorite ists, local non-profits, and commercial Dan Story Band has become a Straw- On Saturday morning, the festival vendors will make shopping a pleasure. berry Festival staple that simply must opens with the Miss Strawberry Prin- And let’s not forget about the food! Ev- perform, or risk forever disappointing cess Pageants for girls ages 4-6, and 7-12, erything from seafood to BBQ, frozen their loyal fans. Riding out of the Old a festival tradition going back to the smoothies and ice creams, craft sodas to West — west Central Florida that is — early days of the event. This special pag- homemade pretzels will ensure that you The ever-popular Dan Story Band returns the Dan Story Band’s origins can be eant is designed to be fun and enjoyable will not go home hungry. Enjoy an ice- to the Strawberry Festival to perform on traced back just over a decade to when for the whole family and to help cold beer or sip a nice wine at the beer Sunday from 1-4 p.m.
Property Appraiser Les Cook Recent Ribbon Cuttings
Welcome New Chamber Members: The Chamber continues to grow is March luncheon speaker weekly! We welcome our new members and thank all of them for joining the Cham- ber. We encourage the community to patronize their businesses. Citrus County new gas plant as it Property Appraiser comes online along Michele Eisch Photography Les Cook will be the with the expected ef- keynote speaker at fects of retiring the 608-445-0840 l www.EischPhotography.com the Chamber’s existing coal-fired monthly luncheon units over the next on March 9 at Citrus couple of years, the Hills Golf & County effect that the Club. Amendment 1 ballot Cook’s informa- initiative is expected tive talk will pro- to have on Citrus vide insight into County if it is passed current residential by voters this Novem- and commercial ber, and more. property values and The luncheon is millage rates, the sponsored by Citrus growth of the local County Blessings. tax rolls, the impact To RSVP, call Janet of Duke Energy’s Les Cook at 352-795-3149.
Chamber member news The Chamber is happy to welcome Michele Eisch of Michele Eisch Photography. She has studios available nationwide in Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, Tampa and Citrus County. Michele specializes in Weddings/Couples, Portrait/Documentaries, Open House at WTC on March 15 Restorations, Fur Babies and Love in Motion. Ambassadors to welcome Michele include Withlacoochee Technical College will hold an Open House on March 15 from 12:30-2:30 Melissa Roberts with Florida Luxury Realty; Barbara Donohoe, Citrus County Chronicle; p.m. at their campus at 1201 W. Main St, Inverness. This is a great opportunity to learn Associate Member, Lisa Nash; Dennis Pfeiffer, Orkin Pest Control; Michele Fowler, about all of the career programs that WTC has to offer to learners of all ages. Visit class- Cruise Planners; Tom Ryan, Central Ridge Insurers; and Carole Morrissey, Wollinka rooms and shops, meet the instructors, ask questions and enroll in classes. For more infor- Wikle Title Services. Contact Michele at (608) 445-0840 or www.EischPhotography. mation, call 352-726-2430 ext. 4319, or visit www.WTCollege.org. com.
Chamber Legacy Partners Chamber events calendar Feb. 22 — Chamber Mixer, Royal Dalton House ALF The Chamber recognizes our Legacy Part- March 3 & 4 — Floral City Strawberry Festival March 9 — Chamber Luncheon, Citrus Hills; Speaker: Property Appraiser Les Cook; ners that have made a special investment in (352)634-1705 • [email protected] the Chamber to support the programs and VALUES Sponsor: Citrus County Blessings mission of the Chamber. For information on March 15 — Chamber Mixer, Eagle Buick becoming a Legacy Partner, please contact March 30 — Google Workshop, Chamber Welcome Center, presented by the Chamber at 352-795-3149. Citrus County SCORE April 5 — Chamber Mixer, Sunflower Springs ALF April 14 — Mermaids & Margaritas, Fort Island Gulf Beach For more information on events, call 352-795-3149 or visit www.CitrusCountyChamber.com.