Sarasota County Fair 2016: What To Know Before You Go

SARASOTA, FL – For 80 years, the Sarasota County Agricultural Fair has celebrated the area’s rural heritage with entertainment, rides, crafts, a science fair, livestock and horticulture displays, and a live auction. The proceeds for this annual event go toward promoting 4-H and Future Farmers of America groups around the county.

The event begins Friday, March 18 at 2 p.m. and lasts until 10 p.m. on Sunday, March 27. Here are a few things area residents may want to know before they go:

Hours, Location and Parking

The fair is located at 3000 Ringling Blvd. in Sarasota. Parking is free on the fairgrounds.

The regular festival hours are:

• Fridays: 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Saturdays: Noon to 11 p.m.
• Sundays: Noon to 10 p.m.
• Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Ticket Prices and Specials

• Adults: $8
• Seniors (55 and older): $4
• Active Military: $4
• Children ages 6-17: $4
• Children 5 and younger: Free

Daily armband specials for the Belle City Midway rides are:

• Monday-Thursday: Ride all mechanical rides for $20 plus fair admission from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. None sold after 9 p.m.
• Fridays: Ride all mechanical rides for $20 plus fair admission from 2p.m. to 11 pm. None sold after 10 p.m.
• Saturdays and Sunday, March 20: Ride all mechanical rides for $20 plus fair admission from noon to 5 p.m. or all day for $25
• Sunday, March 27: Ride all mechanical rides for $25 plus fair admission all day from noon to 10 p.m. None sold after 9 p.m.

Agriculture Show Schedule

• Steer Show: Tuesday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m., Houser Arena
• Steer Sale: Friday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m.
• Swine Show: Wednesday, March 23 at 6 p.m.
• Swine Sale: Saturday, March 26 at 7 p.m.
• Plant Sale: Saturday, March 26 at 1 p.m., Plant Tent

Entertainment Highlights

Show Stage

Ron Diamond will perform his brand of HypnosisMagic shows daily throughout the fair. The schedule is:

• Magic Show: Every day at 6:15 p.m.
• Hypnosis Show: Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 20 at 9 p.m.
• Illusion Show: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, March 27 at 9 p.m.

The Dennis Lee Comedy Show and Band will perform daily throughout the fair. The schedule is:

• Fridays through Sundays: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Monday through Thursday: 7 p.m.

Variety Stage

Various acts will perform live on the Variety Stage throughout the show. Highlights include:

• Friday, March 18 at 2 p.m.: Sahib Shrine Oriental & Concert Band
• Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.: Voces de Mexico
• Sunday, March 20 at 8 p.m.: Castillo Kids
• Monday, March 21: 5:45 p.m., McIntosh Middle School Jazz Ensemble; 8 p.m., 4-H Clogging Clovers
• Tuesday, March 22: 5:45 p.m., Sarasota High School Jazz Band; 8 p.m., 4-H Talent Show
• Wednesday, March 23: 5:45 p.m., Brentwood Elementary School; 8 p.m., 4-H Talent Show
• Thursday, March 24: 5:45 p.m., Island Village Voices; 8 p.m. 4-H Clogging Clovers
• Friday, March 25: 5:45 p.m., Ashton Elementary School choir; 8 p.m., Bay Haven Broadway Club
• Saturday, March 26 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Rogue Brothers and Elvis
• Sunday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m., Castillo Kids

For a full schedule and more information about the Sarasota County Agricultural Fair, visit the festival’s website.