PLANT CITY, Fla. — For the last 20 years, Randy Scott kicked off most mornings of the Florida Strawberry Festival by singing the National Anthem.
Known as the ‘voice of the festival’, he would stand by the flag pole along with key members of the festival’s management team and help start the day on a positive note.
His wife, Jill Scott, had her hands on the creative side of the festival. The booth in the Park building that houses the shoebox float contest and the giant strawberry chair were usually Jill’s careful creations.
The festival team, as well as the Scott’s friends and family, didn’t know that last year’s festival would be their last. Randy, Jill, and Jill’s sister Judy Cook were together when they passed away in a head-on car crash in Manatee County last May.
The Scotts leave behind 3 daughters, 4 granddaughters, and 1 grandson among many other close family members.
Randy and Jill’s daughter Angel Carter has been volunteering with the festival for decades and say returning this year hasn’t been easy for her family. She hopes her father is remembered for his spirit and her mother for her hospitality.
“I think most people will remember hearing his voice and hearing the National Anthem and they’ll remember how my mom fed everybody,” she said.
During the festival each year, Randy and Jill made the same trailer on the property their home base. It’s covered in collages from Strawberry Festivals past that Jill made by hand and adorned with thank you notes to the couple.
In their parent’s memory, Angel and her son Seth Carter helped hang the photo collages once again this year.
“They touched more lives than I realized and thoroughly enjoyed this time of year,” Seth said, while looking through photos.
To continue his grandfather’s tradition as ‘voice of the festival’, Seth will be taking over the role and making the announcements this year.
A recorded version of Randy singing the National Anthem will still play each morning.
“We were so close during the festival and it’s going to mean a lot,” Seth said. “I’m going to do everything I can to not cry.”
The Florida Strawberry Festival kicked off February 29 and runs for 11 days.