Last updated on July 25th, 2024 at 05:01 pm
Who doesn’t love the Florida State Fair?
From the livestock tents to the magical midway, circus acts and politicians, hot bands and local personalities — and food! Lots of food!
And some of it is not good for you, which is, of course, the appeal of a state fair.
Florida State Fair showcases history, agriculture
While boasting “the largest midway in the USA,” the core purpose of any state fair is to showcase the state’s agricultural products, farms, ranches and livestock.
Established in 1904, the Florida’s State Fair wasn’t designated the state’s “official” fair by Florida legislators until 1975, setting the stage for its move from downtown Tampa seven miles east to its current 355-acre site at the intersection of Interstate 4 and U.S. 301.
A must-see for history buffs is Cracker Country, a living history museum that tells the story of the settlement of Florida during the 1800s by cattle ranchers, who got the name of “Crackers” by the sound of the whips they used to drive cattle from the Carolinas and Georgia into Florida.
The museum re-creates an 1890s rural Florida town with original buildings dating from 1870 to 1912, which were relocated to the fairgrounds from across the state. During the fair, costumed “interpreters” portray the daily living experience of Florida’s pioneers.
While many consider carnival rides and corndog concessions the highlights of the fair, the overriding mission is to showcase the state’s agriculture industry – from the cattle that still roam Florida’s prairies to the fruits and vegetables that serve as the nation’s winter garden. The best in the state are showcased in the fair’s pavilions.
The fair operates under the umbrella of the Florida Department of Agriculture, although the event is self-supporting and relies on income from entry fees, concerts, rides, sponsorships and vendors to survive.
Fair food
Tired of plain old funnel cakes sprinkled with powdered sugar?
Perhaps you’ll want to put some pizzazz into it with hot barbecue rub and slather it with pulled pork! Too much? How about a slithering stream of cream cheese over the top to soften the blow. That’s better.
Looking for funnel cake with a little less tang? A variety of funnel cakes are new this year.
There’s the Lemonade Funnel Cake, the Banana Cream Pie Funnel Cake and even a Barbie Funnel Cake! (Of course there is!) Besides powdered sugar, you’ll be treated to Barbie pink icing and two kinds of sprinkles.
Meanwhile, Ken is lining up over at Seivers Smokehouse Grill for a Spicy Korean Corndog: hot dog dipped in buttermilk batter, layered with cheese and rolled in crushed spicy hot Cheetos.
Perhaps a pickle with all the trimmings? “I’ll have my pickles all the way, please.”
The Pop-Rock Pickle is a kosher pickle wrapped in a Fruit Roll-up, dipped in chocolate and rolled in your choice of Pop Rocks, Fruity Pebbles or Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. I’m sure glad the pickle is kosher.
Personally, I think I’ll opt for Bacon Waffle Cheeseburger at Macken’s Slider booth with a side of Bacon Caramel Peanut Butter Apple Fries at the Apple Fries stand. Then I’ll wash it all down with a Jalapeno Lemonade.
Entertainment
The fair’s musical entertainment schedule will be posted when it becomes available. Entertainment is included in the price of admission.
Last year, the Silent Disco stole the show
Florida State Fair FAQ
Dates — Feb. 6-17, 2025
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 10 am to 9 pm (Midway opens at 1 p.m. and closes 10:30 p.m.); Friday-Sunday: Friday-Sunday, 9 am to 9:30 pm (Midway opens at 10 a.m. and closes 11 p.m.)
Where — Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 North, Tampa, FL.
There are three entrances to the Fairgrounds: Orient Road, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and U.S. Highway 301.
How much are tickets to the state fair?
- Adult Advanced Admission: $11
- Child (6-11): $7
- Senior (55+): $9 (Valid M-F only)
- Any Day Armband + FastPass: $54 (Valid one day only; Skip the line on Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
- Any Day Ride Armband: $32 (Valid one day)
- Weekday Armband: $22 (Valid one day, Monday-Thursday)
For more information, visit the Florida State Fair web site at floridastatefair.com or call 1-800-345-FAIR.
Will there be fireworks?
Fireworks are scheduled on four weekend nights, Friday and Saturday on the first weekend, and Saturday and Sunday the second weekend.
Where to stay near the Florida State Fair
Hotels (Book online)
- Holiday Inn Express and Suites (across the street from the fairgrounds)
- Comfort Suites at the Fairgrounds (across the street from the fairgrounds)
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. (2 miles) Hard Rock entertainment during the state fair: Feb. 8 — Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons; Feb. 14 — Boyz II Men; Feb. 16 — Rod Stewart.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott (2.2 miles from the fairgrounds)
- More hotel choices near the Florida State Fairgrounds on Hotels.com
Campgrounds
RV camping at the fairgrounds is limited to vendors and staff.
- Hillsborough River State Park. Camping, kayaking, hiking, biking and a humongous swimming pool are the top features of this state park straddling the Hillsborough River.
- Best Camping near Tampa Bay. A roundup of Florida Rambler’s top public campgrounds in and around Tampa Bay, ideal for your visit to the Florida State Fair.
- Lithia Springs County Park. Scenic campsites, natural environment and a cool, clear spring.
Things to do near the Florida State Fair
Pinellas Trail
On the west side of Tampa Bay is one of the most progressive and appreciated rails-to-trails projects in all of Florida. The 37-mile Pinellas Trail starts in Tarpon Springs and runs south through downtown Dunedin, Clearwater, Largo, Pasadena, ending in St. Petersburg. We have two articles for more information: Scenic window to another world and Treasured St. Pete bike trail
Busch Gardens
The Gulf Coast’s only theme park, Busch Gardens is a whole bunch of fun. Take a safari on the Serengeti Plains, or experience the thrill of your life on the SheiKra roller coaster. Visit the web site at seaworldparks.com/buschgardens_tampa
Ybor City
Once the cigar capital of the world, Ybor City retains much of Tampa’s old city charm and Latin flavor. Restaurants, art galleries, pubs and cafes, and you can still see Tampa’s famous cigar makers practicing their trade. Explore by foot for the best experience.
Related stories
- Thai market and brunch at a Tampa Buddhist Temple: When visiting Tampa, one of the most intriguing experiences is an open-air Sunday brunch at a gorgeous Buddhist temple — Wat Mongkolratanaram, or Wat Tampa for short.
- Caladesi Island State Park: This island with an award-winning beach is great kayak destination. Read about kayaking to Caladesi Island.
- Honeymoon Island State Park.
- Five favorite places to paddle board in Tampa. For paddle boarding, it would be hard to find a better destination than Tampa Bay.
//tp.media/content?currency=usd&promo_id=5850&shmarker=370033.tampa&campaign_id=47&trs=176184&min_lines=5&scroll_height=&color_button=%23346A6C&destination=666
Hi Limda,
There are so many events scheduled, we chose to select only every-day entertainment for this article. But your inquiry prompted me to add a link to the daily entertainment schedule, so thank you. The Demolition Derby, by the way, is scheduled for Friday, April 24, from 1-2 p.m.