Arts & Entertainment
Kris Kristofferson Replacing Merle Haggard At Florida Strawberry Festival 2016 Show
Health issues have sidelined Haggard. Read on for what to do if you have tickets for the March 12 concert.
PLANT CITY, FL - The Florida Strawberry Festival announced today Kris Kristofferson will be stepping in for Merle Haggard, who has canceled his March 12 performance at the 2016 event due to health concerns.
“Due to a persistent reoccurring bout of double pneumonia, Merle Haggard is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in California and has had to postpone his concert dates in March,” a Haggard representative said in a statement. “He looks forward to seeing his fans on his next tour in April. However, per doctor’s orders, he is going to take one more month off from life on the road to rest and recover.”
The 11-day event’s entertainment committee confirmed Kristofferson will be the replacement performer for the 3:30 p.m. show on Saturday, March 12.
“We are saddened to learn that Merle Haggard won’t be able to join us,” said Florida Strawberry Festival General Manager Paul Davis. “But we believe we have secured an outstanding replacement whose fan base is very similar to Mr. Haggard’s.”
Country singer, songwriter and actor Kristofferson, 79, is best known for his hits “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and “Sunday Morning Coming Down.”
Tickets already purchased to Merle Haggard’s show can be used for Kris Kristofferson’s show or can be refunded in full by March 10, Davis said. Refund requests and questions about the show should be directed to the festival’s Amscot Main Ticket Office located at 2209 W. Oak Avenue in Plant City. The ticket office can also be reached at 813-719-6680 or through email at customerserv@flstrawberryfestival.
Tickets to Kris Kristofferson’s show can be purchased for $35 at www.flstrawberryfestival.com, over the phone or at the Amscot Main Ticket Office.
Find out what's happening in Brandonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- For more info on the upcoming Strawberry Festival, which runs March 3 to 13, see: Florida Strawberry Festival 2016: What To Know Before You Go.
--Images of Haggard and Kristofferson courtesy of the Florida Strawberry Festival and Ticketmaster.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
