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Vintage photos of the Florida State Fair over the last century

By CL Staff on Tue, Apr 27, 2021 at 4:58 pm

The Florida State Fair is back, and though things may look a little different this year, the cows, the corn dogs and rides are all still here. For a little perspective, we thought we'd publish a few photos from the Florida State Archives, documenting the fair over the last 100 years.

Photos by Florida Memory

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Scene from the Florida State Fair in Tampa, 1990

Florida Memory

Scene from the Florida State Fair in Tampa, 1990

View showing Pat Muar, left, with friends at the 1970 Florida State Fair - Tampa, Florida, 1977

Florida Memory

View showing Pat Muar, left, with friends at the 1970 Florida State Fair - Tampa, Florida, 1977

Crowds entering the South Florida Fair, 1922

Florida Memory

Crowds entering the South Florida Fair, 1922

Amusement ride at the 1977 Florida State Fair in Tampa, 1977

Florida Memory

Amusement ride at the 1977 Florida State Fair in Tampa, 1977

Tommy Thompson with his mother Annie at the Florida State Fair in Tampa, 1960

Florida Memory

Tommy Thompson with his mother Annie at the Florida State Fair in Tampa, 1960

Bird's eye view overlooking the 1977 Florida State Fair in Tampa.

Florida Memory

Bird's eye view overlooking the 1977 Florida State Fair in Tampa.

Crowds enjoying the Florida State Fair, 1963

Florida Memory

Crowds enjoying the Florida State Fair, 1963

Tommy Dodgen, age 4, standing by the largest lamp in the world, 1947

Florida Memory

Tommy Dodgen, age 4, standing by the largest lamp in the world, 1947

View showing people at the 1970 Florida State Fair, 1970

Florida Memory

View showing people at the 1970 Florida State Fair, 1970

Amusement rides at the Tampa State Fair, 1977

Florida Memory

Amusement rides at the Tampa State Fair, 1977

Bird's eye view of the Florida State Fair in Tampa, 1940

Florida Memory

Bird's eye view of the Florida State Fair in Tampa, 1940

Entrance gateway to the Florida State Fair, 1947

Florida Memory

Entrance gateway to the Florida State Fair, 1947

View of the Florida State Fairgrounds, 1963

Florida Memory

View of the Florida State Fairgrounds, 1963

View of amusement rides at the Florida State Fair, 1947

Florida Memory

View of amusement rides at the Florida State Fair, 1947

Exhibit booths at the Tampa State Fair, 1977

Florida Memory

Exhibit booths at the Tampa State Fair, 1977

Ferris wheels at the Florida State Fair, 1963

Florida Memory

Ferris wheels at the Florida State Fair, 1963

View of amusement rides at the Florida State Fair , 1964

Florida Memory

View of amusement rides at the Florida State Fair , 1964

FERA-built exhibition buildings at Florida State Fair, 1935

Florida Memory

FERA-built exhibition buildings at Florida State Fair, 1935

Crowds gathered at the Florida State Fair, 1947

Florida Memory

Crowds gathered at the Florida State Fair, 1947

Atlantic Coast Line engine number 1652 on display at the Florida State Fair, 1930

Florida Memory

Atlantic Coast Line engine number 1652 on display at the Florida State Fair, 1930

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