2024 Florida State Fair: The Florida State Fair will shortly return to Tampa for a 12-day run, making it the first state fair of the year to do so in the United States due to the pleasant weather. It takes great pride in boasting the largest midway in the country and innovating within the amusement industry.
From February 8 to February 19, it will once again showcase its eccentric culinary creations and continue its tradition as the birthplace of the donut burger. We’ve just added a pop rock pickle, fried spam grilled cheese, and a cheese curd burger sandwiched between two honey buns.
Additionally, it is renowned for its diverse array of attractions and activities. Before you depart your house, executive director Cheryl Flood advises you to visit their website, floridastatefair.com, to familiarize yourself with the numerous attractions available.
“There is so much that it is easy to feel as though you have missed something,” said Flood, who is in her ninth year as the director of the 330-acre fair in Tampa.
More than 150 performances, three music stages, art exhibits, and strolling entertainment are all present. There are numerous exhibits centered on agriculture, including a milking parlor, a space to observe a variety of cows, chickens, and goats, and a space to cuddle newborn animals, in addition to beekeepers who offer honey tastings. Visiting the Maternity Ward may introduce you to a brand-new calf.
Additionally, the opening and concluding weekends of the fair will feature fireworks for the first time since 2015. There will be silent discos on Friday and Saturday of the opening weekend, as well as a concert on Saturday. Flood stated, “We are competing during Super Bowl weekend, so we wanted to step it up.”
According to Carnival Warehouse, a source of industry information, the Florida State Fair attracted 405,888 visitors in 2023, a 5% decrease from the previous year, ranking it No. 41 on the list of the 50 most popular fairs in the United States.
Wide Open Country is renowned as one of the top state fairs in the nation, thanks to its iconic Cracker Country, the only living history museum in Tampa that takes visitors on a journey to the 19th century, and its record-breaking Ferris wheel.
A guide to what to see and do at the fair this year is provided below.
TANF Florida Approval: Exploring the Timeline for Cash Assistance Approval
Tickets and days with discounts
Online and advance purchases of tickets and armbands result in reduced prices, commencing at $11. However, the price reduction expires on Wednesday, February 7. After that, weekend admission costs $16 (children enter for $10). Tickets for adults cost $12 from Monday to Thursday, while children can enter for $6.
Notate that the fair’s policy regarding juvenile admissions has changed. After 6 o’clock, those under the age of 17 must be with a parent or legal guardian who has paid the admission fee and is at least 21 years old. They are capable of overseeing a maximum of four young individuals.
Free admission on February 8 for members of the military, law enforcement, first responders, active or retired military, and veterans with valid identification.
Super Savings, February 11: Law enforcement, first responders, active or retired military, and veterans with valid IDs receive free admission all day. After 3 p.m. on the same day, admission is complimentary for all individuals who acquire an Anyday Ride Armband.
$3 Admission is $3 on Thursday, February 15; select attractions, games, and food items will also cost $3 after 3 p.m.
For those under the age of 17 who come with a paying parent or guardian on February 16 and 19, admission is free until 6 p.m. A parent or guardian may oversee no more than four adolescents.
Senior Days: Seniors 55 and older may enter for $11 Monday through Friday.
Food
Like the Florida Quesadilla, which contains gator nuggets, banana cream pie nachos, and cheddar pickle crunch pizza, the fair is renowned for its many peculiar culinary preparations. The most noteworthy offerings this year are the Barbie-themed funnel cakes and the new Pop Rocks pickles.
Visit one of the information kiosks at the fair to obtain a map indicating the location of the most recent culinary challenges.
Many eating events are held, including a funnel cake faceoff on February 15, a pizza-eating battle on Valentine’s Day, and a corn dog chowdown on February 12. The popular Peachy’s Amish Donut Chow Down Championship will take place on February 18 to see who can eat the most hubcap-sized doughnuts in the lowest time.
Additionally, for culinary inspiration, visit the Special Events Center to view the finest jams, cakes, pies, and gluten-free baking competitions as displayed among the competition winners. You can watch the baking and pastry decorating competitions live on February 17. We will bake the cake at 9 a.m. and decorate it at 11 a.m. Announce the winners at 4:00 p.m. in the Special Events Center.
Entertainment
Flood stated, “A pleasant aspect of this fair is that all the entertainment is complimentary once you enter.” “That way, you are not nickel-and-dimed throughout the day.”
Fireworks, silent discos, a pop-up market with local merchants, and a Saturday performance by the up-and-coming country duo TigirLily will be available on both Friday and Saturday. There will also be pyrotechnics during the final weekend of February 17–18, after the sun sets.
Additional entertainers to keep an eye on include:
Aqua Rock by Bello Nock: The former Ringling circus star performs a daily performance at the fairgrounds that combines water choreography, rock music, and stunts over the large lake.
This year marks the debut of Foam Zone, a children’s play area that organizers assure will be less chaotic than it sounds. Children can enter a world of whimsy where they can immerse themselves in foamy, frothy joy during three daily shows. Flood guarantees that it will wash off their clothing upon completion.
Circus Hollywood: Camels, horses, dogs, clowns, daredevils, magicians, and trapeze artists perform daily under a circus canopy.
A Hollywood Racing Piglets fan favorite returns: Follow the pigs as they destroy the track for the winner’s cookie. This three-day event includes the World’s Fastest Potbelly Race on Mall Road, two races, and an obstacle course.
From February 17–18, the Covered Arena will host the nation’s oldest sanctioned mower race, a crowd favorite.
Cycle Circus Live: The Grand Prix Ring hosts the largest freestyle motocross entertainment show with cycling circus talents and top action sports athletes.
Secret Walls: A Live Paint Battle is a novel art-as-entertainment offering this year. Teams of up to six artists will construct a mural in ninety minutes, beginning at 7:00 p.m. on February 8–10. Supporters elect the victorious squad. In the entertainment hall, there will also be live music and a fire performance featuring over a dozen local and traveling performers competing.
Games and rides
With over 90 rides and attractions, the Florida State Fair features the nation’s largest state fair midway—Midway Sky Eye—which is the highest-traveling Ferris wheel. A dedicated area is also available for the young ones.
A petting menagerie is also located among the agricultural exhibits for children. The Welcome Center also organizes the Kids Celebration Game Show, family-friendly entertainment with interactive games, music, and activities.
The Little Farm Hands agricultural education exhibit will return this year, giving kids the chance to build a scarecrow, collect sterile animal feces, and ride a pony.
Should you go?
The Florida State Fair is held from February 8–19. Admission costs $16, with discounts available for seniors and children aged 6 to 11. Ride armbands range in price from $27 to $54. The fair’s Discount Days page lists discounts that apply on specific days. Monday through Thursday, gates are open at 11 a.m.; Friday through Sunday, they are closed at 10 a.m. 813-621-7821, Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa.
