ENTERTAARITNMENT
FANTASTIC FAIRGROUNDS
2020 Florida State Fair
By Aaron R. Fodiman
T he Florida State Fair began in 1904, when the first fair
was held in downtown Tampa at Henry B. Plant’s Tampa
Bay Hotel. From 1915 to 1975, the fair was combined
with the Gasparilla Carnival, as it celebrated everything
Florida. Due to its success, the Florida State Legislature created
the Florida State Fair Authority and the fair moved to its new
home at the Florida State Fairgrounds just off of Interstate 4
east of downtown Tampa. With the largest midway in North
America, the fair attracts over 500 thousand people each year.
This year’s fair will run from February 6th-17th, where in
addition to the usual popular foods and rides, there will be a
Deep Fried Dash 5K and Fun Run on Saturday February 15th
at 7 a.m., when runners will enter a timed course through the
fairgrounds to compete for medals. Everyone will receive a corn
dog at the close of the race, and the proceeds will benefit the
Florida State Fair Foundation. To register, visit bit.ly/deepfrieddash.
For all 12 days of the fair, some of Florida’s best talent including
local dance groups, magicians, singers, bands and others will
perform on the Showcase Community Stage in the Entertainment
Hall. There will also be a “Fair’s Got Talent” competition, along
with contests in corn dog, donut and pie eating.
With over 70 shows daily, included in your admission, you
can enjoy new acts such as the Dueling Pianos, Daredevil Bello
158 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020
Nock of America’s Got Talent, Sea Lion Splash, live magic, mind
reading by Antwan Tower, a stunt show by Extreme Dogs, live
music by Southbound 75, Rob Hazen, the Luke Langford Band
and lots more.
Don’t miss the traditional agricultural portion of the fair,
where the animals are the main attraction with over 1900
exhibitors competing for prizes and thousands of dollars in
youth agricultural scholarships.
Also, be sure to stop by the 1898 pioneer village Cracker
Country to step back in time to 19th century Florida. The
museum, normally open only for field trips, will be open to
fairgoers for candle dipping and more. It is a living history
museum that fascinates all ages.
Whether you go for the rides, the food, the exhibits or other
activities, the Florida State Fair from Thursday, February 6th
to Monday, February 17th is a not-to-be-missed Tampa Bay
area tradition. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Tickets for the Florida State Fair, which is held
at the fairgrounds off of Interstate 4 at exits 5-7, are available
through FloridaStateFair.com and at Tampa Bay Publix stores.
For information, call (813) 621-7821.
There is fun for all ages
at the Florida State
Fair, which will be
at the Florida State
Fairgrounds in Tampa
from February 6th-17th.
COURTESY FLORIDA STATE FAIR