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Fair facts
By Times Staff
Published February 10, 2005
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All's fair (more or less)
Midway game operators want to drain your wallet, and the odds are stacked in their favor. Still, determined competitors do have a shot at winning.
Fair facts
Music at the fair
Head to the Florida State Fair in Tampa for a wide variety of music |
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The Florida State Fair runs today through Feb. 21. The Florida State Fairgrounds is on U.S. 301 off Interstate 4, east of Tampa.
HOURS: Gates open 9 a.m. daily; midway rides open 11 a.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Feb. 21. Closing hours vary.
ADMISSION: $10, $5 ages 6-11.
PROMOTIONS: Pepsi Armband Days (pay one price for unlimited rides): Friday, Sunday, Feb. 18 and Feb. 20-21, $20. Wild Cherry Pepsi armbands after 5 p.m. today, $10. Senior Days: Tuesday-Wednesday and Feb. 17, $6 admission ages 55 and older. Student Days: Friday and Feb. 21, $5 admission for grades K-12.
PARKING: On-site parking is free, with tram service from parking lots. Free off-site parking is also available on weekends at Highland Oaks Corporate Park (M.L. King Boulevard and Falkenburg Road). Free shuttles run from that lot to the fairgrounds every 15 minutes.
PROHIBITED: No outside food or drink is allowed. Only service animals are allowed; no pets.
STROLLERS AND WHEELCHAIRS: Available for rental at all gates.
NEW THIS YEAR: Casino Gaming Day, Feb. 17, inside the Special Events Center; Chevrolet Family Theater, with daily free entertainment, moves inside the Expo Hall; Crosscut Saw Competitions, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday; Dakota's Dog House Ultimate Canine Triathlon Friday and Saturday; headline concerts move to the Ford Amphitheatre; Galaxy of Thrills show daily; Moo-Mania, children's show daily; Nashville Music Network's Florida Star Search Singing Competition, noon-5 p.m. Sunday; Sea Lion Splash Show, daily; World of Wonders Palace of Illusions, daily in the midway.
INFORMATION: 813 621-7821; www.floridastatefair.com
BY THE NUMBERS
200 food vendors
67 game stalls
2 petting zoos
84 rides
41/2 tons of hot dogs served during fair
500,000 people expected
5,000 animals shown
6,000 lights on the Giant Ferris Wheel
5 ATMs
[Last modified February 9, 2005, 13:23:08]
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