2017 Hillsborough County Fair: What To Know Before You Go

DOVER, FL – While February is when the state’s agriculture takes center stage, October brings Hillsborough County’s own home-grown agriculture to the forefront.

The 2017 Hillsborough County Fair starts Thursday, Oct. 19 and runs for two consecutive extended weekends. The theme of this year’s event is “Harvest the Fun!”

Here’s what area residents need to know before you go to the 2017 Hillsborough County Fair:

Dates and Times

The 2017 Hillsborough County Fair runs for two straight weekends beginning Thursday, Oct. 19. The times are:

• Thursday, Oct. 19 and 26: 5 to 10 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 20 and 27: 5 to 11 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 21 and 28: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 22 and 29: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Location

The Greater Hillsborough County Fairgrounds is located at 215 Sydney Washer Road in Dover, off State Road 60 just past Turkey Creek.

Tickets

Admission to the 2017 Hillsborough County Fair is $7 for adults, $5 for K-12 students, $4 for seniors and children younger than kindergarten age are free. Special arena events are $10 plus admission. Sunday admission is free on Sundays with a church bulletin (one per person). For group sales, contact the fair at (813) 737-3247.

Ride Specials

The 2017 ride specials include:

• Thursday, Oct. 19 and 27: Dollar Day -- $1 entry and $1 rides
• Friday, Oct. 20 and 28: $20 ride armbands
• Saturday, Oct. 22 and 29: $20 ride armbands, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 5 to 11 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 23 and 30: $20 ride armbands

Livestock Events

For a full list of livestock events scheduled for the 2017 Hillsborough County Fair, visit http://hillsboroughcountyfair.com/livestock-shows/.

Arena Events

The following events are scheduled to take place in the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds arena:

Friday, Oct. 20

7 p.m.: Bulls & Barrels Rodeo

Saturday, Oct. 21

7 p.m.: Bulls & Barrels Rodeo

Sunday, Oct. 22

9 a.m.: CFHA Horse Show Series

Thursday, Oct. 26

Whip Cracking Contest

Friday, Oct. 27

7 p.m.: Truck & Tractor Pull

Saturday, Oct. 28

7 p.m.: Truck & Tractor Pull

Sunday, Oct. 29

1:30 p.m.: Harvest Baby Parade Conclusion

3 p.m.: Demolition Derby

Entertainment Tent Events

The following events are scheduled to take place in the Entertainment Tent:

Saturday, Oct. 21

6 p.m.: Nala Price in concert

Sunday, Oct. 22

Noon: Chilcren’s Pageant

2 to 5 p.m.: Gospel Jam

Saturday, Oct. 28

6 p.m.: Buckshot Cloggers

Sunday, Oct. 29

12:30 p.m.: Baby Parade

2 to 5 p.m.: Gospel Jam

Daily Entertainment

The following free shows will take place daily during the Hillsborough County Fair:

Firefighter Show

• Thursday and Friday, 6 and 8 p.m.
• Saturday, 3:30, 6:30 and 8 p.m.
• Sunday, 12:30, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Robinson’s Racing Pigs & Paddling Porkers

• Thursday and Friday, 5:30, 7:30 and 9 p.m.
• Saturday, Noon, 3, 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m.
• Sunday, Noon, 3, 5 and 7:30 p.m.

Heidi Herriott Presents: Family Fun Circus

• Thursday and Friday: 7 and 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday, 4, 7 and 8:30 p.m.
• Sunday, 1:30, 4 and 6:30 p.m.

Other Events and Competitions

Aside from the scheduled entertainment, other events and competitions will take place during the 2017 Hillsborough County Fair, including:

• Pumpkin Painting: Oct. 19-22
• Cooking Contest: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Ranchers Roundup – Preserve the Brands: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.
• Harvest Pageant For Children: Sunday, Oct. 22
• Pumpkin Painting Display: Oct. 26-29
• 2017 Hay Bale Decorating Contest
• 2017 Horticulture Show
• Wheelbarrow Decorating Contest
• Recycled Yard Art
• Family Living Arts & Crafts
• Visual Arts Display
• Back to Your Roots Gardening Competition

For more information about the 2017 Hillsborough County Fair, visit http://hillsboroughcountyfair.com.

Image via Shutterstock