Good Times at the Florida State Fair • February 9 to 20

By Kai Rambow

“I was used to a few animals and candy apples,” commented a visitor. The Florida State Fair is huge by comparison. Trying to see everything in one day would probably be exhausting. There is so much to see and do.

First rate shows are headliners at the fair and rightly so. Introduced for the first time last year, the Wet and Wild show featured top performers. The jet skier literally did a 360 loop from the water. Seeing him hanging upside down, however briefly, was astonishing.

Another performer used a fly-board. Using jet propulsion technology, two jets propel water elevating a person up to 45 feet in the air. Experienced performers will do all kinds of loops.

The Wheel of Death was another popular event. Using several different kinds of motorcycles, performers defy gravity by racing on the inside of a man-made circle. Attendees were encouraged to participate by holding money over the edge. A motorcyclist raced around and grabbed the money. Even after seeing this, you may find it hard to process what you just witnessed.

The Animals

No fair would be complete without the animals. There is a rodeo. Note: Not every event or show is run every day. Livestock exhibits and competitions are spread throughout the two weeks the fair runs. If you miss a show, the winners of previous shows will most likely have their ribbon attached to their stall.

As The News covered a few years ago, some of our residents participate in some activities, such as the Mooternity Ward and the milking demonstrations. Many of the competitions are for young people. It can be fun to talk with them about their prized animal.

A petting zoo is popular with both children and adults. It seemed there were more adults trying to feed the giraffe, then there were children trying to feed the goats. There was something for everyone.

The Crafts

There are so many arts and crafts shows, you can easily spend several hours trying to see everything. Tip: If the day is particularly hot, consider this as your mid-day activities to get out of the sun and heat.

There were multiple photographic competitions based on age groups. A more traditional category, such as a quilt competition, was countered by an aquarium competition. Every year it seems, someone from our community wins an award in one of the competitions. It was both interesting and intriguing to see the different categories.

Tips for a Great Trip

Multiple Visits: It would be an exhausting task to try and cover everything in a day. Take a look at the online calendar to determine what you’d really like to catch and plan accordingly. Every time I’ve gone, I’ve wanted to take more time to explore.

It’s Busy: The fair opens most days around 10 and most shows don’t start until around noon. If you arrive early, you should beat the crowds and be able to explore the grounds before the crowds arrive.

Since it will be busy, don’t rush yourself. Take some time to plan what you’d really like to see. For example, when looking to get the photos for this article, we concentrated on the major shows first, then took some time to check out a few other activities. Of course, to really avoid crowds, don’t go on the weekends.

Clothing: Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Sunscreen and a good pair of walking shoes are a must.

Food: There are numerous food options at the fair. You can find something to like. Prices are elevated, but in most instances not outrageous.

Tickets: Ticket prices are reasonable. You can have a lot of fun for a few dollars. Senior tickets ($8) are available/valid only on February 9-10 and 13-17. If you want to include the rides, there is an additional charge. You can purchase tickets in advance through the website.

Florida State Fair 4800 US-301 Tampa, FL 33610 (813) 621-7821 www.floridastatefair.com

More adults than kids wanted an opportunity to feed a giraffe.