2017 Florida State Fair: What To Know Before You Go

TAMPA, FL – The Florida State Fairgrounds once again will come alive this week for its premiere event, bringing livestock shows, entertainment and more to the Tampa Bay area.

As it’s done for the past 113 years, Tampa will once again host the Florida State Fair, which is set to kick of Thursday, Feb. 9.

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

Dates and Times

The 2017 Florida State Fair will take place Thursday, Feb. 9 through Monday, Feb. 20. The fair’s schedule is:

Admission Gate Hours

• At 10 a.m. during the fair’s run on Mondays through Thursdays
• At 9 a.m. during the fair’s run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
• The exception is Monday, Feb. 20, when the gates open at 9 a.m.

Midway Hours

• Feb. 9, 13, 14, 15, 16 – 1 to 10 or 10:30 p.m.
• Feb. 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20 – 10 a.m. to 11 or 11:30 p.m.

Location

The Florida State Fairgrounds is located at The Florida State Fairgrounds is located at 4800 U.S. Highway 301 N. in Tampa.

Admission

• Adult admission for ages 12 and older is $11 for Monday through Friday entry and $13 on Saturdays and Sundays
• Child Admission for ages 6 to 11 is $6 for Monday through Friday admission and $7 on Saturdays and Sundays
• Senior admission for ages 55 and up is $9, but senior tickets are only valid on the following Senior Days: Feb. 13-17. All other days require adult admission tickets.

Ride Armbands

• Any day ride armbands cost $35 at the fair and provide unlimited rides
• Weekday ride armbands are $25 at the fair and are only good on Feb. 9 and Feb. 13-16.

Student Fair Days

Students from counties around the Tampa Bay area enjoy their own special free admission dates. The dates by county are as follows:

• Feb. 10: Hillsborough
• Feb. 12: Hardee
• Feb. 19: Citrus and Highlands
• Feb. 20: Polk, Sarasota, Pinellas and Manatee

Other Special Days and Discounts

The 2017 Florida State Fair will also feature numerous other discounts and special days during its run:

• Feb. 9: Salute to Heroes Day. All active, reserve, retired military veterans, and first responders are admitted free with valid ID, plus a special commemorative giveaway.
• Feb. 11 and 18: 4-H and FFA Days. 4-H and FFA students admitted free with ID or jacket.
• Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day. Receive special giveaways, including coupons, candy and 2-for-1 rides on the Giant Wheel.
• Feb. 14 and 15, 2 p.m.: Country God Tour Concert. $20 for reserved seating and $10 for general admission bleachers.
• Feb. 16: The Fair Cares Non-Profit Appreciation Day. Members of nonprofit organizations are invited to enter a drawing for cash prizes to be awarded to both the individual and their organization by the Fair Authority.
• Feb. 16: Thrifty Thursday: Ten midway rides for $10.
• Feb. 17: $5 Friday after 5 p.m. Admission is $5 after 5 p.m.
• Feb. 20: Family Fun Day. $20 admission for up to four people.
• Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Feb. 20: Gold Access Program. Allows special express access at Midway rides for a $15 upgrade fee. Only a limited number are sold each day.
• Goodwill Discount: Guests receive $2 off adult regular gate admission to Goodwill Industries.

Concerts

Aside from free daily entertainment, the Florida State Fair will feature five concerts:

• Feb. 10, 8 p.m.: Shalyah Fearing.
• Feb. 11, 7 p.m.: Mighty Mongo
• Feb. 13, 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.: Z Street Band
• Feb. 14-16, 5:30 p.m.: The River City Boys present a Tribute to the Statler Brothers
• Feb. 14-16, 6 p.m.: Elvis Extravaganza
• Feb. 14, 2 p.m.: Country Gold Tour, featuring Leroy Van Dyke, Johnny Lee, David Frizzell, Barbara Fairchild
• Feb. 15, 2 p.m.: Country Gould Tour, featuring Leroy Van Dyke, Steve and Rudy Gatlin, Marty Haggard, Bobby Bare
• Feb. 17, 7 p.m.: Shawn Scheller and the Contenders
• Feb. 18, 7 p.m.: Lauren Mitchell Band
• Feb. 19, 6 p.m.: Building 429, opening act: Overflow
• Feb. 19, 7 p.m.: Joe Zuniga
• Feb. 20, Roots and Boots Tour: Aaron Tippin, Colin Raye and Sammy Kershaw

Competitions and Special Events

The following competitions and special events will take place during the 2017 Florida State Fair

• Feb. 11: Florida State Fair Cheer and Dance Championships
• Feb. 11, noon: Sunshine State Jack Russell Terrier Races
• Feb. 12, 2 p.m.: Championship Tractor Pull
• Feb. 15-16, 3 and 7 p.m.: Florida State Fair Ranch Rodeo
• Feb. 16, noon: Draft Horse Pulls
• Feb. 17-18: Vex Robotics Championships
• Feb. 18, noon and Feb. 19, 2 p.m.: Winter National Championship Lawn Mower Races

Free Daily Entertainment

The following entertainment is free and open during each day of the Florida State Fair:

• SWEET: The Tasty Journey
• Sea Lion Splash
• Welde’s Big Bear Show
• Hollywood Racing Bigs
• Circus Hollywood
• K-9’s in Flight
• Giraffic Exotic Menagerie
• Florida Learning Garden
• Butterfly and Insect Encounters
• Rock-It-Robot
• Billy Bob and Loretta: Those Funny Little People
• Budweiser Clydesdales (Feb. 9, 10 and 11)
• Shopkins meet and greet with Kooky Cookie and Apple Blossom

For more information about the 2017 Florida State Fair, visit http://www.floridastatefair.com/.

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