Florida Fairs

Who doesn't love a fair? There is something about the lure of a bustling midway with its unique sights, sounds and smells. Nothing can match the thrill of the stomach-churning rides or taking a chance at the midway games. But, the bottom line? It's all about the food. It's surely where gastrointestinal nightmares are born, but who can resist the cotton candy, ice cream and things fried that you never thought of frying?

Florida residents are fortunate to have 50 chances each year to take advantage of one of the best entertainment values around — county fairs — 51 if you count the Florida State Fair. County fairs can be found throughout Florida — from the rolling hills of the Panhandle to the sandy shores of South Florida — and they highlight the communities where they are located... making each different. Besides the midway, livestock competitions and exhibits, agricultural exhibits, arts and crafts and live entertainment provide an exciting day for the entire family.

While every county fair is unique, there are a few standouts. The Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition ranks as one of the largest and most successful fairs in the nation and attracts over a half-million visitors every year. For over 60 years, the all-youth Southeastern Youth Fair in Ocala is where young people have showcased their 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) skills; but, one of the most popular components of that fair has to be the two-day Florida High School Rodeo, where young cowboys and cowgirls show off their roping and riding skills. The Florida Strawberry Festival provides outstanding exhibits, low-cost nationally acclaimed entertainment... and, of course, plenty of those tasty red strawberries.

While fairs offer good entertainment value, there are a few cost-cutting measures available to save even more:

• Take advantage of advance ticket sales, often available online and at special ticket offices.
• Save a bundle on packages that include admission, ride wrist bands and drink coupons. These are often only available in advance.
• Look for special offers and coupons available in newspapers, restaurants, etc.
• Take advantage of special days. Often fairs offer special admission discounts to children, seniors and special interest groups on certain days. Some days may even be set aside as free admission days for kids.
• Park at an off-site lot and ride free shuttles.
• Pack a picnic lunch or carry a few healthy snacks and a bottle of water.

Florida's fairs are held in the fall, winter and early spring. Mostly dry conditions and mild temperatures during those months allow Floridians a chance to enjoy outdoor events while giving carnaval workers year round employment.

Find a Fair

Fair dates and locations are listed below:

September, 2011
Baker County Fair (Sept 30 - Oct 8) - Macclenny

October, 2011
Central Panhandle Fair (Oct 3-8) - Panama City
Walton County Fair (Oct 10-15) - DeFuniak Springs
Greater Hillsborough County Fair (Oct 12-16) - Brandon
Northeast Florida Fair (Oct 13-23) - Callahan
Pensacola Interstate Fair (Oct 20-30) - Pensacola
Northwest Florida Fair (Oct 25-30) - Fort Walton Beach
Greater Holmes County Fair (Oct 27-29) - Bonifay
Columbia County Fair (Oct 28 - Nov 5) - Lake City

November, 2011
Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair (Nov 2-13) - Jacksonville
Volusia County Fair (Nov 3-13) - DeLand
North Florida Fair (Nov 3-13) - Tallahassee
Broward County Fair (Nov 17-27) - Pembroke Pines

January, 2012
Manatee County Fair (Jan 12-22) - Palmetto
South Florida Fair (Jan 13-29) - West Palm Beach
DeSoto County Fair (Jan 19-29) - Arcadia
Polk County Youth Fair (Jan 21-27) - Bartow

February, 2012
Charlotte County Fair (Feb 3-12) - Port Charlotte
Florida State Fair (Feb 9-20) - Tampa
Highlands County Fair (Feb 10-18) - Sebring
Martin County Fair (Feb 10-18) - Stuart
Osceola County Fair (Feb 10-19) - Kissimmee
Hendry County Fair and Livestock Show (Feb 17-25) - Clewiston
Southeastern Youth Fair (Feb 17-26) - Ocala
Hardee County Fair (Feb 18-25) - Wauchula
Pasco County Fair (Feb 20-26) - Dade City
Saint Lucie County Fair (Feb 24 - Mar 4) - Fort Pierce
Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair (Feb 24 - Mar 4) - Fort Myers
Chalo Nitka Festival, Glades County Youth Livestock Show and Frontier Days Rodeo (Feb 27 - Mar 3) - Moore Haven

March, 2012
Central Florida Fair (Mar 1-11) - Orlando
Florida Strawberry Festival (Mar 1-11) - Plant City
Suwannee River Fair (Mar 8-21) - Fanning Springs
Sumter County Fair (Mar 9-17) - Bushnell
Okeechobee County Fair (Mar 9-18) - Okeechobee
Firefighters' Indian River County Fair (Mar 9-18) - Vero Beach
Collier County Fair (Mar 15-25) - Naples
Miami Dade County Fair and Exposition (Mar 15 - Apr 1) - Miami
Bradford County Fair (Mar 16-24) - Starke
Putnam County Agricultural Fair (Mar 16-24) - East Palatka
Sarasota County Fair (Mar 16-25) - Sarasota
Brevard County Fair (Mar 22 - Apr 1) - Melbourne
Citrus County Fair (Mar 26-31) - Inverness
Clay County Agricultural Fair (Mar 29 - Apr 7) - Green Cove Springs

April, 2012
Lake County Fair (Apr 5-14) - Eustis
Hernando County Fair (Apr 6-14) - Brooksville
Santa Rosa County Fair (Apr 6-14) - Milton
Suwannee County Fair (Apr 6-14) - Live Oak
Flagler County Fair (Apr 11-15) - Bunnell
Levy County Fair (Apr 12-15) - Williston