Sunshine State

The predominantly white town of Delrona Beach, Florida, begins preparations for its annual festival, a significant event that brings together the community. The excitement builds as floats are decorated and activities are planned, reflecting the town's vibrant culture and traditions.

During the festivities, a shocking incident occurs when one of the parade floats is set ablaze, sending shockwaves through the community. The act sparks outrage and suspicion, ultimately leading to the arrest of a young black boy named Terrell.

Terrell, an orphan living with his elderly relative Eunice Stokes, is accused of setting fire to the float. This accusation highlights the racial tensions within the town, as the predominantly white community rallies against him, despite a lack of solid evidence.

Facing the repercussions of the incident, Terrell is sentenced to perform community service at a local community theater. This experience becomes a pivotal moment for him, allowing him to explore his identity and talents amidst challenging circumstances.

Eunice Stokes is visited by her daughter, Desiree, a former beauty queen who left town due to a scandal involving her unexpected pregnancy. Desiree's return to Delrona Beach brings back memories and unresolved issues, especially with her mother.

Now married to Reggie, Desiree hopes to mend her fractured relationship with Eunice. Her return marks a new chapter in her life, as she grapples with her past choices and their impact on her family dynamics.

While Desiree reconnects with her mother, she also rekindles an old flame with her high school sweetheart, Flash. Flash, now a property developer, introduces new ambitions and complications into Desiree's life as they navigate their shared history.

Amidst the festival preparation, Marly Temple feels trapped as she juggles managing her family's motel and cafe, which she inherited. The weight of her responsibilities leaves her longing for change, yet she hesitates to sell the cherished family business to developers.

Marly's ambition to be a marine biologist was crushed by a tragic event—the death of her twin brothers. This trauma forced her into a caretaker role for her family, leaving her dreams unfulfilled and her life path altered dramatically.

As Marly struggles with her business, she also navigates her complicated romantic relationships with her estranged husband, Steve, and her current boyfriend, Scotty. Each relationship presents its own challenges, illustrating the complexities of love and partnership.

Complications arise further when Marly becomes romantically involved with Jack, a landscape architect connected to the developers. Their relationship introduces new dynamics and forces Marly to confront her feelings about the future of her family's legacy.

Throughout the unfolding drama, a quirky group of golfers acts as a modern-day Greek chorus. Their humorous observations provide a unique perspective on the events in Delrona Beach, adding comedic relief to the tense situation.

As the festival progresses, the community divisions become more pronounced. The events surrounding Terrell's accusation create a palpable tension between different racial and social groups in Delrona Beach, highlighting deep-seated prejudices.

In the climax of the film, characters confront their pasts and misunderstandings, leading to moments of forgiveness and resolution. This culmination of events reveals the strength of community bonds, even amidst adversity and conflict.

The film concludes with the characters looking towards a hopeful future, acknowledging their shared struggles and victories. It signals a new beginning for Terrell, Desiree, Marly, and the community of Delrona Beach as they forge stronger ties.