A look into Florida Strawberry Festival’s Special Smiles day
The Florida Strawberry Festival hosted a very special themed day on Feb. 28.
The festival, known for its food, music and rides, held an event called Special Smiles.
The event is designed for people with special needs to enjoy everything the fair has to offer in a sensory-considerate environment.
The idea came from personal struggles that guests had at the festival previously.
Three years after the first edition, Special Smiles chairman Caitlin Walker said the community has rallied behind the event.
The first Special Smiles brought six schools and about 25 volunteers, but this year was different.
“We have over 31 schools that are coming in today, and I have 140 volunteers,” Walker said.
With over 1800 guests walking through the gates, the festival offers free rides in partnership with Deggeller Attractions on Special Smiles day.
It also offers 10 dollars for food to every guest with help from the Rotary Club.
To make it more accommodating for attendees, the ride’s sounds are turned off.
Areas around the grounds provide a calmer and safer environment for the guests who might be overstimulated by the surroundings.
Rebecca Nance is an exceptional student education specialist at Willis Peters Exceptional Center in Dover.
Nance said the festival’s efforts are a “great way” to help everyone enjoy the festival.
“To kind of raise that awareness and exposure, I think, is huge for the students,” Nance said. “I mean, come on, we get to eat and play all day. It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Credits:
Anchor: Debora Gruenberg, Ricardo Cuomo
Reporters: Carter Timmons, Debora Gruenberg, Abigail Saxe
Web Editor: Clara Rokita Garcia
Audio: Abigail Saxe
Tech Director: Paula Sanchez Ruiz
Producer: Luana Martins
Assistant Producer: Tatyana Purifoy
Social Media: Karli Kibbee
Teleprompter: Carter Timmons
Camera: Sam Poulin
Editor: Paula Sanchez Ruiz
Graduate Assistant: Grace Ficara
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Anderson