The fair brings the senses to attention like few events. It's a combination of so many intoxicating sights and sounds and smells. There's the dusty air of the parking lot and fairgrounds, the shock-bright colors of the tents and the neon-trimmed midway rides pitched and set about like giant, misplaced toys. By the time you've gotten inside the gate, the smells have reached you: the oil boiling in vats prepared to fry corn dogs and elephant ears, cinnamon from candied apples' glaze, fat cooking out of sausages and hamburgers. And around the livestock exhibits there's an unsubtle, yet appreciable whiff of fresh manure that adds to the medley adrift in the air. You hear rock 'n' roll, a country tune from the live music hall, carnival barkers drawing crowds to their games, people on rides screaming as their bodies are torqued and/or spun and/or dropped in momentary freefall. To be succinct, the fair — in all its chaos and comic charm — is a lot of fun. The 12-day celebration of the Sunshine State begins Thursday, Feb. 7, and continues through Feb. 18. The following is a list of highlights:
HealthExpo
Discuss health and fitness trends and delve into health care issues with medical doctors and personal trainers, and learn more about healthy eating from professional chefs. The expo features several thousand square feet of interactive displays on health and nutrition.
Home Depot House
This environmentally friendly home is on the lake behind Entertainment Hall, and is a cooperative effort of Home Depot and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Built using energy efficient materials and furnished with energy-efficient appliances, the house shows how Floridians can live comfortably yet conserve resources. The open house takes place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
The History Channel Time Machine Exhibit
Find out what ancient Egyptians did on their day off in The History Channel's two-day exhibit inside Gate 1, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9 and 10.
Wynn's Petting Zoo
A Fair favorite, Wynn's Petting Zoo is located on the Mall, and is a great place to go pat, cuddle and admire some of your favorite furry and feathered friends. Wynn's is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Laser Light Show
Grab a spot on the causeway or under the Sky Glider and watch this colorful concert above the South Lake. The show's effects include graphics, laser animation, multiple beams, geometric patterns and pyrotechnics. The show takes place nightly at 9 p.m.
The Bud Saloon
Presented by Pepin Distributing, this relaxing venue is located near the North Dome. Fairgoers can step inside for a cold brew and sit a spell. There's live entertainment variously scheduled at the saloon throughout the fair.
Fiesta Gigante
For the first time at the fair, there's a celebration of the Spanish heritage of the many people in Florida's communities. The event takes place in the Family Variety Theater on Sunday, Feb. 17, hosted by Univision TV station WVEA-Ch. 62. Entertainers include Angelica Vale, Nayeli from Amigas y Rivales, and the Chacal de la Trompeta from Sabado Gigante. (For specific show times, check the fair's daily schedule online.)
Bacardi Cafe (formerly known as Cafe Caribe)
If you find yourself needing to take a break from the Midway, sit a spell and have a tropical drink and catch a live show. Spanish Lyric Theater performs shows daily. The Porchdogs play Cajun-Zydeco music Wednesday, Feb. 13, through Feb. 18. And Trinidadian band Jamm Balaya play Thursday, Feb. 7, through Feb. 12. The cafe's open until 9 p.m. It's located between the Charles M. Davis Special Events and Florida Living centers. (For specific show times, check the fair's daily schedule online.)
Equestrian Shows and Competitions
Equestrian riders and equine beauties of all breeds show off and compete in show rings in and around the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. There are coon-jumping donkeys, graceful Tennessee Walkers and intelligent Paso Finos. Exhibits and events run every day and many nights.
School Exhibits
Students and teachers from Hillsborough County Schools display the fruits of their labor. The showcase of our public school system's curriculum includes ongoing debates, and students and teachers share their experiences in our local schools. The exhibits are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Live Music Headliners
The following performances take place in the Entertainment Hall and cost $7.
Travis Tritt — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7
REO Speedwagon — 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8
Marshall Tucker Band — 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11
Merle Haggard — 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12
Stars of the Grand Ole Opry — 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14
Fair Info
Gates open daily at 9 a.m., and most exhibits are open till 9 p.m. General admission costs $5 advance, $8 at the gate; for kids 6-11 it costs $3 advance, $4 at the gate; and free for ages 5 and under. Pepsi Armband Days are Friday, Feb. 8; Sunday, Feb. 10; Friday, Feb. 15; Sunday, Feb. 17; and Monday, Feb. 18. On armband days you can ride the rides over and over as long as your stomach can take. The armbands cost $20 at the fair, $16 in advance. Parking is free. The fairgrounds are located on U.S. 301 between Orient Road and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. For more information or daily schedules, call 813-627-FAIR or visit: www.floridastatefair.com.
This article appears in Feb 6-12, 2002.