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Sea lions ready to make a splash

Like the rest of the workers at the state fair, the sea lions' trainer is working feverishly to prepare for Thursday's opening.

By DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN
Published February 8, 2005

TAMPA - Minnie and Alicia barked loudly on makeshift rocks as Ariel and Sparky zipped back and forth in their tank.

There were no other ocean creatures around these four sea lions Monday - just human beings preparing cotton candy machines, putting up giant stuffed prizes and checking the bolts on midway rides.

The four sea lions are part of a new exhibit at the Florida State Fair, which opens Thursday and is expected to draw more than a half-million people during its 12-day run.

Fair officials hope the sea lions and their "Sea Lion Splash" show will be a big draw during their first appearance in the fair's 101-year history.

The show is the only mobile sea lion exhibit in the United States, said their trainer, Marco Peters, also known as "Surfer Joe."

Like the rest of the fair workers Monday, Peters worked feverishly to prepare for Thursday's opening.

He fastened screws, put up artificial foliage and set up rocks to complete the display, which is meant to look like a zoo exhibit.

The sea lions, which were rescued or born in captivity, will be on display from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in pools where they can be observed from both underwater and outside. Visitors will be able to come as close as 2 feet, Peters said.

They will perform three times a day, balancing balls on their noses, performing acrobatic jumps and trying to outsmart their trainer.

"They are very intelligent animals," Peters said.

Minnie, Alicia, Ariel and Sparky are next to a car booth and across from several other shows, along a strip called the mall.

Unlike many of the rides and games at the fair, the Sea Lion Splash shows are free. The fair pays for them to perform, much like they pay for the petting zoo and another new attraction: Galaxy of Thrills.

The aerial stunt show features "Galaxy Girl," her husband, John, and daughter, Ashley, performing acts as high as 127 feet in the sky.

As always, there will be plenty of food. More than 90 concession stands offering more than 200 different foods will be available. New offerings include meatballs on a stick (with Parmesan dipping sauce) and coopies (a cross between a cookie and a pie).

Country music singer Travis Tritt will headline at 7:30 p.m. opening night. The Neville Brothers perform on Valentine's Day.

Other highlights include:

--A chance to milk a cow. In the Salute to Ag tent daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., you can pull on udders and earn a ribbon.

--Chainsaw artists at work. They will be carving sculptures out of wood outside the Florida Forest Discovery Center.

--Admiring a dying art: Hand Knotting and Tying. Max, a "Twineologist," will hand-tie cast nets and hammocks, one knot at a time. The exhibit is in Cracker Country. Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

[Last modified February 8, 2005, 00:20:05]