Youth Steer Futurity a Success

On Saturday, August 10th, 44 pre-registered 4-H and FFA students from across the state travelled to the Florida State Fairgrounds to select a steer they will take home to raise.  These students will show their steers competitively at the 2014 Florida State Fair in February.  Each participant selected from 51 steers ranging in weight from 500 pounds to over 900 pounds.

University of Florida animal science department staff graded each animal before student selection began.  Each student participated in a draw process to select a lettered pen in where each animal was kept.  Students then selected their top three choices, and an additional drawing took place to pair a student with an animal.

The concept for this program originated in 1989 when Charles Lykes was the chairman of the Youth Steer Committee of the Florida State Fair, a committee made up of Ag teachers, extension agents and ranchers.  He convinced the Fair Authority to take a new approach involving industry and education.  With Mr. Lykes’ direction, a new concept was designed and presented to the Florida Cattlemen's Association.  The Board of Directors, with Dan Childs as the President, approved the concept and assured Mr. Lykes that the association would support the program.

Since its inception, over 130 Florida ranchers have supported this program by donating at least one calf.

DISCOVER THE FUN AT THE 100 FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL

The 100 Food Truck Festival will not only feature a wide variety of food trucks from all over the Southeast, but tons of family fun. 

The World’s Largest Food Truck Festival will occur on Saturday, August 31st, 2013 at the Florida State Fairgrounds (4800 U.S. 301 Highway Tampa, FL 33610) from 12PM-8PM. Admission is FREE and parking is $6. Other than the Florida State Fair Authority and Generation Food Truck, the Tampa Tribune is the newspaper partner and 98Rock is the radio partner.

Twelve year old DJ Jake Dela Cruz will be performing all day inside of the Waterfront Cafe mixing some electronic music.  The 501st Legion Florida Battalion, a Star Wars fan group, will be marching in a parade downtown Tampa, and appearing at the festival with over 100 in costume.  Jumpy King, a Tampa Bay area vendor, will be bringing jump houses, miniature golf, and more.

 HEROES GET INTO BIG BUCK EXPO FOR FREE THIS WEEKEND

TAMPA, FL – “Honor thy Heroes” is what Southern Trophy Hunters and The Tampa Tribune will do this week, when it provides free admission to the Big Buck Expo for all active and retired military, as well as first responders including, police, EMS and firefighters.  The free admission offer also extends to immediate family including spouses and children. A valid military or first responder ID shown at the door is all that is required.

The hunting and fishing consumer tradeshow will be held July 12-14, 2013, at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with The Tampa Tribune to give our local heroes and opportunity to attend one of the largest hunting and fishing shows in the state,” said Jay Everett, president of Southern Trophy Hunters.

The Big Buck Expo in Tampa also includes the following celebrity appearances:

“Mountain Man” from A & E’s Duck Dynasty - Friday, July 12, 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Troy Landry from History’s Swamp People - Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

R.J. and Jay Paul Molinere from History’s Swamp People - Sunday, July 14, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Regular admission to the Big Buck Expo in Tampa is $12 for adults, kids 7-17 are $7 and 6 and under are free. Thanks to the support of the Tampa Tribune all active and retired military, as well as first responders including EMS, fire and police get into the Big Buck Expo for free.

Presenting sponsor for the Big Buck Expo is Chevrolet. STH also produces a Big Buck Expo in Greensboro, NC set for July 26-28, 2013 at the Greensboro Coliseum.   

More information can be found at www.southerntrophyhunters.com or by calling 334.699.BUCK (2825)

Discover the FUN!

Introducing the 2013 Florida State Fair

“DISCOVER THE FUN” 

Celebrating the 500^th anniversary of the arrival of Juan Ponce De León in Florida, this year’s 109th Annual Florida State Fair invites everyone to “Discover the Fun.”  “Florida: 500 Years In the Making” recognizes the statewide, year-long celebration of Viva Florida 500, a commemoration of Florida's rich heritage and diverse cultural history throughout 2013.  From February 7 – 18, the Florida State Fair deserves a top spot on the calendar as THE go-to destination for fun in February.

The 2013 Florida State Fair will showcase new and unique agricultural and cultural exhibits such as the new “Discovery Center,” a Tampa Bay History Center curated exhibit, and a traveling exhibit celebrating “Florida Agriculture: 500 Years in the Making” hosted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  Get a map at the entrance and explore the “ConquistaTOUR,” a self-guided adventure through the State Fair including the new Florida Cattlemen’s Museum, Florida’s Learning Garden and Cow Hunter’s Camp in Cracker Country. In addition, fairgoers will “Discover Florida” with a Broadway-style musical performance certain to please those who want to learn more about Florida.   Also new this year, is a concert series, including Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas and the Bellamy Brothers, among others.

Fairgoers can also expect the traditional favorites such as thrilling rides, shopping in Expo Hall, arts and crafts, a giant sand sculpture, tropical fish, the “Mooternity Ward,” horse shows, lots of animals and live entertainment. Visitors will also find a variety of extraordinary foods, from the traditional corn dog to chocolate-covered bacon.  This year’s fair provides many new ways to “Discover the Fun”.

The State Fair’s “COWquistador” logo is a tribute to the European’s influence in the Sunshine State, as well as a symbol of the state’s rich agricultural heritage.

“The Florida State Fair is not only a destination where families can find good food and great adventures; it’s also a celebration of Florida’s rich agricultural heritage,” said Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam.

“The 2013 Florida State Fair offers many cultural and agricultural highlights,” notes Charles Pesano, Executive Director of the Florida State Fair Authority. “We have added remarkable entertainment, fantastic exhibits and new features to this year’s State Fair that we know everyone of all ages will love.”

The Florida State Fair is a sure ticket to “Discover the Fun.” For 12 days in February, the Florida State Fair will captivate visitors with special discount days, guaranteeing an excellent overall value.  

When:    February 7-18

Where:     Florida State Fairgrounds – 4800 US Hwy. 301 North, Tampa 33610

Admission Tickets and Ride Armbands: $8 adults or $4 ages 6-11. Children 5 and under are FREE.  Ride armbands  - $25

                     THREE WAYS TO BUY  :

1.  Online until February 6 at www.floridastatefair.com .

2.  At Walgreens stores (beginning January 2).

3.  At Florida State Fairgrounds Box Office (discounts through February 6).

Parking:    FREE

For more information, go to www.floridastatefair.com and Like the State Fair on facebook.com/floridastatefairgrounds.

Miles of Smiles

MILES OF SMILES FOR KIDS AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS BROUGHT SMILES TO THOUSANDS

TAMPA, FL - Miles of Smiles for Kids, a carnival of over 25 rides, food, games, and entertainment, took place on the Florida State Fairgrounds Friday, December 14th through Sunday, December 16th.  Volunteers from community-based care organizations, such as Florida Department of Children/Family Services and Eckerd Community Alternatives, along with Wade Shows and the Florida State Fair Authority, gave their time to help give the gift of a holiday carnival.

The event was attended by over 5000 participants over the course of the three days, which included underprivileged children and their chaperones.  Over 300 volunteers gave thousands of hours of time to make corn dogs, cotton candy, operate rides, and take tickets.  Not only did Wade Shows and the volunteers let the participants ride rides and watch the free entertainment, they also enjoyed approximately 10,000 corndogs, 20,000 drinks, 5,000 bags of cotton candy and popcorn, and 3,000 stuffed animals.

Miles of Smiles for Kids is the brainchild of carnival owner and local resident Frank Zaitshik, owner of Wade Shows, the largest family owned carnival in North America. “There are many great organizations that make the Holiday Season brighter for the less fortunate" said Zaitshik.  “I wanted to offer the kids an experience that was produced just for them, doing what we knew how to do best.  I hope the memories will last a lifetime”, he added.

“We are very pleased with the turnout of the event”, said Frank Zaitshek, owner of Wade Shows, Inc.  “I believe all the volunteers and the efforts of the organizations involved gave the children that attended a great holiday gift."

INDIA FESTIVAL BRINGS CRICKET TO THE FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS

The 25th Annual India Festival organizers are introducing the sport of “Cricket”, another Indian tradition, to the celebration at the Florida State Fairgrounds.  For the first time at the India Festival, “Twenty20” matches will be played at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center inside the Gran Prix Ring.

Tampa Bay has over 85 Cricket teams.  Players from those teams have been selected to make two teams to play the matches, a total of 26 players.  Twenty20 games are completed in three hours, and each of the innings lasting from 75-90 minutes.  The matches will be played on a clay surface using a hardball, other than a softball, that is played on a grass field.

Cricket will start at 10:30am on Saturday, and will continue to 2:30 Sunday morning.  Admission to the Cricket matches is included in the India Festival admission.  India Festival admission starts at just $7 and will open on Friday, November 2nd at 6pm and Saturday, November 3rd at 10:30am.

25th Annual India Festival at the Florida State Fairgrounds

Started by Dr. Kiran Patel, the 25th Annual India Festival, is a celebration of Indian culture in the Tampa Bay area.  The festival celebrates customs and traditions with an array of activities, such as a musical extravaganza featuring Bollywood stars, a cultural dance show performed by children and adults, and a wide variety of vendors including food, clothing, decor, and more.  For the first time, it will be a two day event, November 2nd and 3rd, and attract over 15,000 people from the Southeast United States.

The organizers want to welcome the public to attend the event and learn about Indian culture as well as discuss how they will be giving back to the community.  Due to its ongoing success and continued growth of the Indian population in the US, many cities now host their own India Festival.  However none so far surpass the magnitude of the India Festival which has become tradition for Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay and the Indian community.  India Festival has joined with several local agencies in the like Feeding America of Tampa Bay, Wounded Veterans, Under Privileged Kids and the Sheriff Departments of Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties.