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A pretty fair lineup
[Times photo: Dan McDuffie 1997]
People jam the midway at the 1997 Florida State Fair. This year’s fair starts today and runs through Feb. 18. |
By Times staff
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 7, 2002
FAIR FACTS
So you don't get lost on the midway, here's a guide to all that's happening at this year's Florida State Fair.
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The 98th annual Florida State Fair begins today and continues through Feb. 18 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.
HOURS: Gates open at 9 a.m. daily. Closing times vary.
ADMISSION: $8 adults, $4 ages 6 to 11 and free for ages 5 and younger. Parking is free. Tickets for rides and concerts cost extra.
SPECIAL DEALS: Senior days, Tue. through Feb. 14, admission $5 for ages 55 and older these dates only; student days, Fri. and Feb. 18, admission $3 for kindergarten through 12th grade; armband ride specials, Fri., Sun. and Feb. 15 through Feb. 17, unlimited rides for $20.
OTHER TIPS:
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen.
- Strollers and wheelchairs are available for rental at all gates.
- Write down where you parked and through which gate you entered.
- Refrigeration for medication is available at first aid booths.
- Don't bring coolers or pets. Only service animals are allowed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Call (813) 621-7821 or check www.floridastatefair.com.
GETTING THERE:
HEADLINERS
All seats for all shows are $7 plus fair admission. Advance tickets available through Ticketmaster at (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100 or at the fairgrounds.
TODAY: Country singer Travis Tritt, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY: Classic rockers REO Speedwagon, 7 p.m.
MONDAY: Southern rockers Marshall Tucker Band, 2 and 7 p.m.
TUESDAY: Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.; country legend Merle Haggard, 7:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Preservation Hall Jazz Band, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
FEB. 14: Stars of the Grand Ole Opry, 2 and 7 p.m.
[Times photo: 1997]
From cotton candy to caramel corn, sweet treats must be consumed at the Florida State Fair.
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FREE ENTERTAINMENT
Rides, food and headline entertainment cost extra, but there's lots to do and see for free inside the fair, including the exhibits, the livestock, the horse competitions and Cracker Country. Here are some of the freebies:
FAMILY VARIETY THEATER
DR. ROCK'S DINOSAUR ADVENTURE: Puppet show for young children. 11 a.m. today through Tue.; 4 p.m. Fri.-Tue.; noon Feb. 13-18; 2 p.m. Feb. 15-16; 3 p.m. Feb. 13, 14 and 18; and 6 p.m. Feb. 15-17.
DENNIS LEE SHOW: Variety show with Elvis songs, traditional ballads and more. 2 p.m. today; 3 and 7 p.m. Fri.-Sun. and Feb. 15-17; 2 and 6 p.m. Mon.-Feb. 14 and Feb. 18.
MUTTVILLE COMIX: Canine performers. noon today-Tue.; 3 p.m. today and Mon.-Tue.; 2 and 6 p.m. Fri.-Sun.; 11 a.m. Feb. 13-18; 4 p.m. Feb. 13-16 and 18.
SEAN EMERY: Juggling comic. 1 and 5 p.m. daily.
FIESTA GIGANTE: Spanish heritage festival with music, entertainers and Univision TV stars. 2-5 p.m. Feb. 17.
HORSE SHOWS AND COMPETITIONS
All are in the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center unless noted.
TODAY: Mule and Donkey Show, 10 a.m., East Ring; Welsh Pony and Cob Show, 10 a.m., Grand Prix Ring; Tennessee Walking Horse Show, 7 p.m., East Ring.
FRIDAY: Welsh Pony and Cob Show, 10 a.m., Grand Prix Ring; Tennessee Walking Horse Show, 11 a.m., East Ring; Paso Fino Horse Show, 9 a.m., East Ring; Tom Curtin Colt Starting Demonstration, 6:30 p.m., Charlie Lykes Arena.
SATURDAY: Paso Fino Horse Show, 9 a.m., East Ring; Carriage Driving Show, 10 a.m., Grand Prix Ring; All Fox Trot Horse Show, 10 a.m., West Ring; Sheep Herding Demonstration and Competition, 6:30 p.m., Charlie Lykes Arena.
SUNDAY: Paso Fino Horse Show, 9 a.m., East Ring; Carriage Driving Show, 10 a.m., Grand Prix Ring; All Fox Trot Horse Show, 10 a.m., West Ring; Sheep Herding Demonstration and Competition, 9 a.m., Charlie Lykes Arena.
MONDAY: Sheriff's Mounted Police Competition, 9 a.m., East and West Rings; Rocky Mountain Horse Show, 10 a.m., Pony Ring.
TUESDAY: Sheriff's Mounted Police Competition, 9 a.m., East and West Rings; Rocky Mountain Horse Show, 10 a.m., Pony Ring; Draft Horse Show, 10 a.m., Grand Prix Ring;
WEDNESDAY: Sheriff's Mounted Police Competition, 9 a.m., East and West Rings; Draft Horse Show, 10 a.m., Grand Prix Ring;
FEB. 14: AMHR/ASPC Shetland and Miniature Horse Show, 9 a.m., East Ring.
FEB. 15: AMHR/ASPC Shetland and Miniature Horse Show, 9 a.m., East Ring; American Paint Horse Show, 8 a.m., West Ring.
FEB. 16: American Paint Horse Show, 8 a.m., West Ring; AMHA Miniature Horse Show, 9 a.m., East Ring; IBHA/Open Pleasure Show, 10 a.m., West Ring.
FEB. 17: American Paint Horse Show, 8 a.m., West Ring; AMHA Miniature Horse Show, 9 a.m., East Ring; IBHA/Open Pleasure Show, 10 a.m., West Ring.
FEB. 18: Barrel Racing Show, 11 a.m., East Ring; Sunshine State Mounted Drill Team Competition Ride, 2 p.m., Grand Prix Ring.
FREE DAILY EVENTS:
[Times photo: Fraser Hale 2000]
The fair includes numerous agricultural experiences, including horse shows, animal exhibits, a petting zoo, a cow-milking demonstration and pig races.
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Baby farm animal exhibit, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Salute to Agriculture Tent.
Butter sculptor, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays, noon-6 p.m. weekends, Charlie Lykes Arena.
Bee-bearded Man, Ag Hall of Fame Building.
Doyle Carlton Jr. Cracker Country, historic village on the east side of the fairgrounds, 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Florida Citrus Fun Zone, with maze, juice lab, massages, free souvenirs, across from the Ag Hall of Fame building on the south side of the fairgrounds, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Florida Forests Forever Showvan, south of Entertainment Hall, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Florida State Fair Parade, begins just inside Gate 5, 11 a.m. today, noon all other days.
Insect Encounter, Ag Showcase Building, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Kachunga and the Alligator, near Charlie Lykes Arena.
Mark Preston and his Comedy Safari Show, in the dome on the South Lake.
Milk a Cow, a chance to hand-milk a cow, 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m. weekdays, Salute to Agriculture Tent.
Milking Parlor, milking demonstrations, Charlie Lykes Arena, 11 a.m., 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m.
Purebred Dog Exhibition, in the Purebred Dog Tent, just east of the Ag Showcase Building, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Rosaire's Royal Racing Pigs, racing track in the Mall area.
Royal Hanneford Circus, in the red circus tent in the center of the fairgrounds.
Salute to Ag Demonstrations, Salute to Agriculture tent, adjacent to the Ag Hall of Fame building.
Spanish Lyric Theater, in Bacardi Cafe between Charles M. Davis Special Events Center and the Florida Living Center, on the south side of the fairgrounds, 6, 7 and 8 p.m.
Welde Bear Show, three shows on weekdays; four shows weekends, in the South Dome, near the Florida Living Center.
Wynn's Petting Zoo, on the Mall, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
OTHER EVENTS TO WATCH FOR
FRIDAY-SATURDAY: Baking competition, 11 a.m. Charles M. Davis Special Events Center.
SATURDAY: Florida State Fair Youth Fashion Show, 1:30 p.m., Charles M. Davis Special Events Center.
SATURDAY: Steve Otto Chili Cook-off, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., inside Entertainment Hall. Free for spectators, $5 for samples.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY: The History Channel Time Machine, just inside Gate 1, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY: Sheep Herding Demonstration & Competition, 6:30 p.m. Sat. and 9 a.m. Sun., Charlie Lykes Arena.
FEB. 14-15: Irish and Scottish Days, with continuous music, songs and dancing on the indoor stage, the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center. The Tampa Bay Pipes and Drums Bagpipe Band will lead the parade at noon each day.
FEB. 17: Exotic Bird Show and sale, 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Charles M. Davis Special Events Center.
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