2019 Florida State Fair Underway: What You Need To Know

TAMPA, FL -- There was nothing fun about it. Detectives from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office were out at the fairgrounds in Tampa before sunrise Thursday, inspecting the carnival games at the 2019 State Fair.

So, despite the smiles and playful teasing, it was strictly business when Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister tested out the basketball throw carnival game.

Chronister said the detectives are ensuring that the games aren't rigged and fair-goers have a chance to win.

After the games were given a thumbs up by detectives, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flipped the switch, officially kicking off the 12-day festival.

The fair will run Feb. 7-18.

It opens Feb. 7 with Heroes Day. All active-duty and retired military and first-responders will be admitted for free along with up to three relatives. A valid ID is required.

As in past years, the 2019 fair is an amalgam of deep-fried food, midway rides, agriculture exhibits, equestrian events and entertainment ranging from national recording stars to clowns on stilts.

Monday through Thursday the gates will open at 10 a.m. with the midway opening at 1 p.m. Gates will close between 9 and 9:30 p.m.

Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and President's Day, the gates will open at 9 a.m. with the midway opening at 10 a.m. Gates will close between 9:30 and 10 p.m.

Tickets at the gate for children 6 to 11 years old are $6 Monday through Thursday and $7 Friday through Sunday.

Those 55 and older pay $9 at the gate Feb. 11-15.

Adults and children over age 12 pay $11 Monday through Thursday and $13 Friday through Sunday.

Children ages 5 and under get into the fair for free.

Daily ride armbands are $30 in advance andf $35 at the fair.

However, discount tickets are available throughout the two-day run with coupons and special discounts.

Click here for discounts.

Entertainment

This year's entertainment lineup includes county rock trio Renata, country band Savannah Jack, hip-hop and R&B group Kazual, oldies entertainers The Dweebs, the Plant City-based Dennis Lee Band, singer-songwriter James Hill, Leroy Van Dyke's Country Gold Tour and musical comedians The Alley Cats. Click here for days and times.

Fair-goers can also check out the All-Star Stunt Dog Splash, the ARCY Live! mural-painting show, the Bello Nock Super Stunt Show, a demolition derby, Circus Hollywood, Extreme Illusions & Escapes, the Giraffic Exotic Menagerie Petting Zoo, Hollywood Racing Pigs, Kachunga and The Alligator Show, Lady Houdini, Marc Dobson's One-Man Band, Moto Maniacs, The Mr. Tommy Show, Professor Smart's Science Show, Ranch Rodeo, Southern Draft Horse Pulls, Timberworks' Lumberjack Show, truck and tractor pulling, Comedy Hypnotist Tyzen, Uka-Palooza, The Welde Bear Show and Zaji Amazing Acrobats of China. Click here for days and times.

Exhibits

Exhibits include the original Batcopter from the Batman TV series, Butterfly Encounter, Cracker Country Living History Museum, the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame, the Florida Cattle Ranching Museum, the Florida Forest Discovery Center, the Florida Learning Garden, the Hillsborough County Public Schools Showcase, Little Farm Hands, the livestock barns, a milking parlor demonstration, Paw Palace, the rabbit and poultry barn, the Power of Steam exhibit, the Salute to Agriculture exhbit, Amazing Frog and Ag-Venture. Click here for more details.

Competitions

It wouldn't be a fair without art, cooking and creative living competitions including the high school seniors art portfolio contest, wine and juice competitions, the Plein Art Competition, DooDads Re-Purposed Sculpture and Recycled Yard Art. Click here for information.

Midway Rides

This year's midway features more than 100 amusement and thrills rides including the Haunted Castle, Kiddie Bumper Boats, Tea Cups, Himalaya, Hydroshock, Megadrop, Midway Sky Eye, RC 48 Coaster and Sizzler. Click here for a complete list.

Fair Food

The state fair has a tradition of introducing unusual dishes and this year is no exception.

Fair-goers will find the Black Cherry Burger, giant fried mozzarella sticks, barbecue pork on pork rinds, the coconut cream doughnut, the carmelized onion and pulled barbecue pork grilled cheese sandwich and potato bowls. Click here for details.

Video via Hillsborough Sheriff

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