Florida Fairs

State boasts 51 fabulous 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 (Sept 22-26) - Bonifay

October, 2009
Baker County Fair (Oct 2-10) - Macclenny
Central Panhandle Fair (Oct 5-10) - Panama City
Jackson County Fair (Oct 6-10) - Marianna
Northeast Florida Fair (Oct 15-25) - Callahan
Walton County Fair (Oct 19-24) - DeFuniak Springs
St. Johns County Fair (Oct 20-25) - Elkton
Pensacola Interstate Fair (Oct 22 - Nov 1) - Pensacola
Alachua County Fair (Oct 23 - Nov 1) - Gainesville
Columbia County Fair (Oct 30 - Nov 7) - Lake City

November, 2009
Northwest Florida Fair (Nov 3-8) - Fort Walton Beach
Greater Hillsborough County Fair (Nov 4-8) - Brandon
Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair (Nov 4-15) - Jacksonville
Volusia County Fair (Nov 5-15) - DeLand
North Florida Fair (Nov 5-15) - Tallahassee
Broward County Fair (Nov 20-29) - Pompano Beach

January, 2010
Manatee County Fair (Jan 14-24) - Palmetto
South Florida Fair (Jan 15-31) - West Palm Beach
DeSoto County Fair (Jan 21-31) - Arcadia
Highlands County Fair (Jan 22-30) - Sebring
Polk County Youth Fair (Jan 23-29) - Bartow

February, 2010
Collier County Fair (Feb 4-14) - Naples
Florida State Fair (Feb 4-15) - Tampa
Charlotte County Fair (Feb 5-15) - Port Charlotte
Hendry County Fair (Feb 6-13) - Clewiston
Martin County Fair (Feb 12-20) - Stuart
Osceola County Fair (Feb 12-21) - Kissimmee
Pasco County Fair (Feb 15-21) - Dade City
Hardee County Fair (Feb 20-27) - Wauchula
Southeastern Youth Fair (Feb 21-28) - Ocala
Central Florida Fair (Feb 25 - Mar 7) - Orlando
Sumter County Fair (Feb 26 - Mar 6) - Bushnell
Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair (Feb 26 - Mar 7) - Fort Myers
Saint Lucie County Fair (Feb 26 - Mar 7) - Fort Pierce

March, 2010
Florida Strawberry Festival (Mar 4-14) - Plant City
Okeechobee County Fair (Mar 12-21) - Okeechobee
Indian River County Fair (Mar 12-21) - Vero Beach
Bradford County Fair (Mar 19-28) - Starke
Sarasota County Fair (Mar 19-28) - Sarasota
Putnam County Agricultural Fair (Mar 19-27) - East Palatka
Suwannee River Fair (Mar 18-31) - Fanning Springs
Brevard County Fair (Mar 18-28) - Melbourne
Miami Dade County Fair and Exposition (Mar 25 - Apr 11) - Miami
Citrus County Fair (Mar 29 - Apr 3) - Inverness
Santa Rosa County Fair (Mar 30 - Apr 4) - Milton

April, 2010
Clay County Agricultural Fair (Apr 1-10) - Green Cove Springs
Suwannee County Fair (Apr 2-10) - Live Oak
Levy County Fair (Apr 8-11) - Williston
Lake County Fair (Apr 8-17) - Eustis
Flagler County Fair (Apr 14-18) - Bunnell
Hernando County Fair (Apr 16-24) - Brooksville