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 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, 2009
Holmes County Fair (TBA) - Bonifay
Central Panhandle Fair (TBA) - Panama City

October, 2009
Baker County Fair (Oct 2-10) - Macclenny
Jackson County Fair (TBA) - Marianna
Walton County Fair (TBA) - DeFuniak Springs
Pensacola Interstate Fair (Oct 22 - Nov 1) - Pensacola
Northeast Florida Fair (Oct 15-25) - Callahan
Alachua County Fair (TBA) - Gainesville
Northwest Florida Fair (TBA) - Fort Walton Beach
Levy County Fair (TBA) - Williston
Columbia County Fair (TBA) - Lake City St. Johns County Fair (Oct 20-25) - Elkton

November, 2009
Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair (Nov 4-15) - Jacksonville
Volusia County Fair (Nov 5-15) - DeLand
Greater Hillsborough County Fair (Nov 4-8) - Brandon
North Florida Fair (Nov 5-15) - Tallahassee
Broward County Fair (TBA) - Pompano Beach

January, 2009
DeSoto County Fair (Jan 15-25) - Arcadia
Manatee County Fair (Jan 15-25) - Palmetto
South Florida Fair (Jan 16 - Feb 1) - West Palm Beach
Highlands County Fair (Jan 23-31) - Sebring
Polk County Youth Fair (Jan 26-30) - Bartow

February, 2009
Collier County Fair (Feb 5-15) - Naples
Florida State Fair (Feb 5-16) - Tampa
Hendry County Fair (Feb 6-14) - Clewiston
Charlotte County Fair (Feb 6-16) - Port Charlotte
Martin County Fair (Feb 13-21) - Stuart
Osceola County Fair (Feb 13-22) - Kissimmee
Pasco County Fair (Feb 16-22) - Dade City
Hardee County Fair (Feb 16-22) - Wauchula
Southeastern Youth Fair (Feb 20 - Mar 1) - Ocala
Florida Strawberry Festival (Feb 26 - Mar 8) - Plant City
Sumter County Fair (Feb 27 - Mar 7) - Bushnell
Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair (Feb 27 - Mar 8) - Fort Myers
Saint Lucie County Fair (Feb 27 - Mar 8) - Fort Pierce

March, 2009
Bradford County Fair (Mar 13-22) - Starke
Okeechobee County Fair (Mar 13-22) - Okeechobee
Indian River County Fair (Mar 13-22) - Vero Beach
Sarasota County Fair (Mar 13-22) - Sarasota
Citrus County Fair (Mar 16-21) - Inverness
Putnam County Agricultural Fair (Mar 20-28) - East Palatka
Miami Dade County Fair and Exposition (Mar 26 - Apr 12) - Miami
Suwannee River Fair (Mar 27 - Apr 1) - Fanning Springs
Suwannee County Fair (Mar 27 - Apr 4) - Live Oak
Brevard County Fair (Mar 27 - Apr 5) - Melbourne
Santa Rosa County Fair (Mar 31 - Apr 5) - Milton

April, 2009
Clay County Agricultural Fair (Apr 2-11) - Green Cove Springs
Lake County Fair (Apr 2-11) - Eustis
Hernando County Fair (Apr 5-12) - Brooksville
Flagler County Fair (Apr 8-12) - Bunnell
Central Florida Fair (Apr 16-26) - Orlando