Last updated on February 17th, 2025 at 08:53 am
Who doesn’t love the Florida State Fair?
From the livestock tents to the magical midway, circus acts, up-and-coming entertainers — and food! Lots of food! All kinds of food!
And much of it is not good for you, which is, of course, the appeal of a state fair.
Florida State Fair, Tampa, February 6-17, 2025
Everything is better with bacon
I have yet to meet a nutritionist who would recommend fair food as part of a healthy diet.
Last year, the hot new item was funnel cakes– slathered with pulled pork and topped with a slithering stream of cream cheese.
2025 may be the year for bacon.
S’mores Chocolate Bacon: Crispy bacon coated in rich chocolate, drizzled with marshmallow cream, and topped with graham cracker crumbs for a sweet-and-savory treat. (Bacon Stand)
Gourmet Chocolate Bacon Cheesecake on a Stick: New York-style cheesecake gets chocolate-dipped and bacon crunch-coated, with caramel and white chocolate drizzle. (Funky Flamingo)
Waffle Stuffed with Pulled Pork and Bacon: A waffle stuffed with pulled pork and crispy bacon, finished with a drizzle of maple butter. (Low-N-Slow Catering).
Hot Honey Chicken Grilled Cheese (with bacon): Sweet, smoky, and gooey perfection: hot honey-grilled chicken, crispy bacon, and melty Swiss cheese, all in a golden grilled cheese sandwich!
Personally, I’m going for the new Campfire Burger — with bacon, of course — on a fresh bun with a flame-grilled Angus beef patty, topped with baked beans, smoky gouda cheese and, for an added touch, a hot dog split in half. (DeAnna’s Donut Burger) — with a side of Jalapeno Popper Fries, fresh cut fries layered with cream cheese, jalapeños and, yes, bacon! (Lemonade And More)
It’s a bacon-anza! (Be sure your cardiologist is on standby.)
And if none of that appeals to you, perhaps you’ll just have to settle for Baked Ziti on a Stick.
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.
Entertainment
The fair’s musical entertainment includes the silent disco, a popular feature for the past two years. scheduled for the South Dome, on Saturday, Feb. 7 and 8 from 7 – 10 pm
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 2025 Florida State Fair?
- Adult Admission: $12 (M-Th); $16 (Fri-Sun)
- Child (6-12): $6 (M-Th.);, $11 (Fri-Sun)
- Senior (55+): $11 (Valid M-F only)
- Weekday Armband, All Ages: $27 (M-Th and Presidents Day)
- Weekend Armband, All Ages: $45 (Fri-Sun and Presidents Day)
- Promotions: https://floridastatefair.com/fair/promo-days/
For more information, visit the Florida State Fair web site at floridastatefair.com or call 1-800-345-FAIR.
When are the fireworks?
Fireworks are scheduled on four weekend nights at 8:30 p.m.: Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7-8; and Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16.
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 is closed as it continues cleanup from fall hurricane damage.
- 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. Here’s a guide: Ybor City
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.
Discover more from Florida Rambler
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
