Monday, February 28, 2011
Outdoor Fun!!
Hosted by The Tampa Tribune, News Channel 8, and TBO.com
Friday, March 4th 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. FREE FRIDAY!
Saturday, March 5th 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 6th 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It's the Outdoor's Expo 20th Anniversary!
Fishing, Boating, Archery, Hunting, Kayaking, and More
Over 150 Vendors
Friday is FREE Admission
Saturday and Sunday: Admission is $8.00 for age 13 and up
Age 12 and under are FREE
For more information please visit www.TAMPAOUTDOORSEXPO.COM
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
2011 Florida State Fair a Success
The Florida State Fair’s “The Best Time of the Year” came to a close Monday night ending on a high note. Preliminary results indicate that good weather, great value, and a strong turnout of almost 487,000 fairgoers helped to make the 2011 State Fair a huge success. This was the 107th year of the annual State Fair.
“We are extremely pleased with the results of this year’s Fair,” said Charles Pesano, Executive Director of the Florida State Fair Authority. With over 132,000 more attendees than last year (when weather was mostly rainy and cold) Pesano credited the hard work of Fair staff, volunteers, youth and adult agriculture participants, sponsors, vendors, entertainers, and exhibitors for producing an outstanding fair. “Our Fair team works very hard each year to provide a super State Fair that provides special experiences for just about everyone he stated. ”
This year’s preliminary combined total gate admission revenue and midway ride revenue set a new all-time record of $7.797 million. This was approximately $2.550 million higher than last year’s total and approximately $802,000 more than the previous record set in 2009. The financial success of this year’s Fair is a welcome turn-around from the financial disappointment of last year’s fair when attendance was poor due to inclement weather. The Florida State Fair Authority receives no annual appropriation of state or local taxes and must rely on its own operations, which includes the annual State Fair, to fund its ongoing operations, support its educational and agricultural programming, and to maintain and improve its property and facilities.
"The 2011 Florida State Fair provided an opportunity for families to come together for a fun-filled event, rich in the agricultural heritage,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. “I want to thank the Florida State Fair Authority staff, as well as the volunteers, entertainers, vendors and participants; for it was their hard work and contributions that made this year’s fair better than ever."
The State Fair’s agribusiness department prides itself in providing the opportunity for almost two thousand youth and adults to compete in a large number of agricultural competitions and programs. Almost 4,700 animals were on display during the Fair’s run. From chickens to cattle to hogs to sheep, ten different species were on display. While the final total has not been tallied, an estimated $400,000 in premiums, awards, and scholarships are expected to be paid out this year to agricultural exhibitors and others.
This year’s Fair provided an outstanding value to its fairgoers. Over 100 things to do and see each day were available at no additional charge (other than gate admission) to those attending the Fair. The Fair’s midway offered 106 rides of every type and description. The family friendly midway, separate from the main midway, offered a special selection of rides, food, and seating that was geared primarily to families with young children. Some of the entertainment scheduled throughout the day, included “Celebrate” – a Las Vegas styled show with live singers and dancers, the Dennis Lee Show, the Blues Brothers Tribute Show, Circus Hollywood, the Spanish Lyric Theater, Nock’s Helicopter Trapeze Thrill Show, Kachunga and the Alligator, the Sea Lion Splash, the Welde Bear Show, and the Hollywood Racing Pigs. And, of course, Cracker Country was open each day for fairgoers to experience the life style and crafts of 1890’s rural Florida.
In addition, the Florida Center offered guests the opportunity to view a wide variety of special craft items including hand-made quilts, intricate wood carvings, and mosaic dollhouses. Youth fine art pieces, wines competition, and horticultural exhibits were also displayed there.
“We are pleased that the Florida State Fair continues to offer guests everything a fair should; fun, livestock, great food, rides and entertainment; all at an outstanding value,” Pesano concluded.
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For additional information contact Rip Stalvey, Director of Marketing and Museum Operations at 813-477-3138, or by email at rip.stalvey@freshfromflorida.com
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Florida State Fair Champion of Champions Program
Years ago, the Florida State Fair in conjunction with the University of Florida developed the Champion of Champions program. This program allows for students to participate in a four year rotation in which they learn information related directly to their animal project. Over this four year rotation period students learn about nutrition and reproduction for their animals, how to correctly market the animal as well as useful skills, such as knot tying. Materials for these educational courses are provided to each student by the Florida State Fair. The educational component which is a large part, prepares the students each year to participate as a youth exhibitor in the livestock portion of the Florida State Fair. Participation in this particular program has increased by more than 85 % since its inception, and shows no signs of slowing down.
It is amazing to see a young individual take on a complex project of raising an animal rather than sitting in front of a video game. It takes great determination and dedication to grow these animals to their max potential and to also take on the educational components involved. One youth exhibitor stated, “It is a tremendous learning experience for me. I thought all I had to do was lead an animal around a show ring. I soon found out there was much more to this project”.
The premise of the Champion program is for the youth exhibitors to earn points which are converted to money and Achievement Premiums after the Fair. The youth exhibitors may do this by participating in various educational activities throughout the fair. This is their opportunity to show off the hard work and time they have put into their animals. All activities were designed to give the youth exhibitors a better understanding of their project. Each year there are about nine activities in which they can participate. These activities range from attending educational seminars, creating an educational poster, showmanship competition and the popular Skilathon. In the Skilathon, the youth exhibitors take a timed test covering the knowledge they have learned from the provided Skilathon manual.
Champion of Champions offers a special opportunity for the youth who are mentally or academically challenged by eliminating the time limit on certain activities, as well as providing a mentor to assist. This allows these youths to compete with their friends and still have a chance to win.
At the end, the points are totaled within each species and the top four seniors with the highest number of points are announced as the Champion Youth. They are awarded savings bonds ranging from $1,000.00 for highest point individual to $250.00 for 4th place individual. The Intermediate and Junior high point individuals are also announced and awarded $100.00 savings bonds. At this point the competition the top four senior winners in each of the eight species continue on to the final Champion of Champions competition which is held on the last day of the Fair in the Special Events center. This round robin competition requires these winners to display their skills and knowledge in all eight species of livestock production.
During Champion of Champions awards banquet where exhibitors, sponsors, parents, 4 – H Leaders, FFA Teachers, committee members, and staff join to recognize the winners. At the conclusion of the awards presentations, the top 6 winners of the round robin competition are recognized with trophies and savings bonds as follows: 1st place Champion of Champions - $3,000.00, 2nd place - $2,500.00, 3rd place - $2,000.00, 4th place - $1,500.00, 5th place - $1,000.00, 6th place - $500.00.
At the 2010 Florida State Fair Youth Exhibitors earned more than $150,000.00 in Achievement Premiums and Savings Bonds, in addition to the animal premiums of over $167,000.00.
The Champion of Champions program trains today’s youth to become our agricultural leaders of tomorrow. This program takes a lot of work and support from a large number of people. University staffs, sponsors, parents, volunteers and the dedicated board members of the Florida State Fair Authority, all support the program.
The 2011 Florida State Fair dates are February 10th through 21st. The Florida State Fair – “The Best Time of the Year” – is organized by the Florida State Fair Authority under the leadership of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
For further information on the Champion of Champions program, please contact Vina Jean Banks, Director of Agribusiness, 813-627- 4338 or VinaJean.Banks@freshfromflorida.com.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Eat.Ride.Laugh....and Shop Till Ya Drop!!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Why it is “The Best Time of the Year”
“The Florida State Fair is the best time of the year since you can spend a fun day with family and friends. You've got rides, food, shopping, entertainment, animals, agriculture, art and some much more! There is no better time and value anywhere else then the Florida State Fair”.-Gary C Riggs Jr.
“It’s the best time of the year for all your new family members to be able to experience the fair, this year my children ages 5 -4 - 3 are coming along to enjoy the rides, animals, food, and music. We love the state fair”!!-Jamie Wilson
“Sometimes you want to be a responsible adult. Other times you want to eat things on sticks and ride in the Batcopter. It's the best time of year because it's the best time to let out your inner squealing five year old who just wants to wear footie pajamas and eat candy for breakfast, no matter what your actual age is”.- Dora Breckinridge
“For me and my twin sister, it's the best time of the year because it always falls around our birthday! We gather all our friends and go every year to celebrate our birthday. There's no better way to celebrate than with all sorts of rides and fried foods. No matter how old you get, it's the best reminder that everyone is still really a kid”.-Holly Hood
“It is the best time of the year because every one of ALL ages, backgrounds and lifestyles can come together to one place and have a blast! Whether you like animals, crafts, Elvis impersonators, carnival games, thrilling rides or interesting fair-unique food, you can come and share great memories at the fairgrounds every year! (Oh and it always falls on Valentine’s Day, which is really romantic!)”-Kassy Leasure
“My birthday usually corresponds with the state fair. This year will be the big 30, and we'll be celebrating going on all the rides one day and the next going to all the shows and junking out on all the delicious but bad for us fair food! I couldn't believe how much there is to see and do at the fair! Such a great value! Always something to do for ANYONE in your family! (young and old alike!)”-Allison Whitcomb
“So much to love! Fun rides, fantastic animals, and the food - we literally eat our way through the Fair! We spend hours there! Plus, it's close to home! All-around WINNER”!-Diane Dunphy Radtke
“Going to the Florida State Fair has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember! Even now that I'm married and living away from Tampa I am still meeting my family for the annual tradition, I can't wait”!-Cristina Rodriguez
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Free fair admission today after 4pm!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
2011 BATON TWIRLING CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIR FEBRUARY 19th
The competition begins at 9:00 A.M. February 19th in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center, marking the eighth time the Florida State Fair hosts the championships. Participants range in age from five to adult and will be competing in various twirling categories, including fancy strut straight line, super X-strut, basic strut, military, solo, 2-baton, 3-baton and duets.
Entrants will be able to compete individually, or as members of a twirling group, and all middle and high schools are invited to bring their twirling teams to the competition.
“The twirling competition is open to the public and we hope to make people more aware of twirling as a sport,” said Lynann Hudson, committee member for the 2011 Baton Twirling Championships. “Because baton twirling is growing World-wide, hosting the competition at the Florida State Fair is a great way to let the public experience a very exciting event.”
The top three twirlers will be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals, and a special award will be presented to the Solo Twirl-Off Champions in the novice, beginner, intermediate and advance divisions. The top two groups competing will also receive trophies.
For more information on the 2011 Florida Baton Twirling Championship please log on to www.floridastatefair.com, or call 1-800-345-3247.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
14 Romantic things to do at the Fair on Valentines Day
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Midway Power Hour
This program was designed to let Fair guests experience more rides for a discounted rate. During the week, tickets are priced at a dollar each, and most rides require 3-6 tickets. Even the Family Friendly Midway on the east side of the property will be participating in this discount program. This will allow the Fair’s younger audience to take advantage of the savings.
Rip Stalvey, Director of Marketing and Museum Operations for the Florida State Fair Authority, comments, “For us, the Power Hour is a way to give back to our Fair ride fans. The most important thing to experience when you come to the Fair is fun, and the Midway Power Hour helps fair goers achieve that at a good value”.
The Fair ride enthusiast must choose wisely, for there are over one hundred rides that are included in the program. Attractions and Thrill Zone rides, will not participate in “Power Hour”.
The Florida State Fair, “The Best Time of the Year,” takes place at the Florida State Fairgrounds February 10th – 21st. For more information on tickets, rides, food, and free entertainment, visit floridastatefair.com.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Florida State Fair Adds Pinellas County Student Day
“We certainly want Pinellas students to have an opportunity to enjoy the Florida State Fair,” said Charles Pesano, Executive Director with the Fair Authority. “Pinellas County students will be receiving a free ticket to visit the Florida State Fair, just like students in surrounding counties,” Pesano added.
Since Pinellas students are off on February 14th this year rather than Presidents Day, the Fair Authority will designate February 14th as Pinellas County Student Day. Students will now have the opportunity to come enjoy the great rides, delicious food, and fun times and won’t have to buy an admission ticket to do it, just by bringing their provided ticket.
Additionally the Fair Authority will include February 14th in the new Midway Power Hour promotion. The Midway Power Hour will allow guests to experience some great rides for just one dollar from 12 noon until 1pm. Certain thrill and specialty rides are excluded.
“We have always stressed providing good value for our guests, that’s why we added a special Midway Power Hour,” Pesano said. “It was the right thing to do,” he concluded.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Free Tickets for School Students
Hillsborough County Schools- Friday, February 11th
Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and Polk County Schools-Monday, February 21st
For more Fair information please visit http://www.floridastatefair.com/. We look forward to seeing you at “The Best Time of the Year”.