Hillsborough County Fair Enters Final Weekend

DOVER, FL — The 2019 Greater Hillsborough County Fair continues this weekend through Sunday with livestock shows, carnival rides and fair food.

This year’s theme is "Let the Good Times Grow" and the 2019 fair introduced ambassador Farmer Sydney who's been delivering seeds and showing children how to plant their very own gardens at Hillsborough County schools.

During the fair, children will have the opportunity to join Farmer Sydney’s Kids Club. Membership includes an opportunity to meet Farmer Sydney, a fair food treat, a pumpkin and a hay ride. See the fair's website for pricing.

Entertainment includes Robinson's Racing and Swimming Pigs, firefighter extraordinaire Neal Snyder and the Family Thrill Circus.

The Hillsborough County Fair has some of the largest youth livestock shows among county fairs in the southeastern United States. Dairy and beef cattle, rabbits, poultry, sheep, goats and pigs round out an array of more than 800 animals that are on display and competing in the show ring.

There is also a family-friendly hayride through the woods, the Truck and Tractor Pull Oct. 25 and 26 and the Demolition Derby will round out the grandstand events on Sunday, Oct. 27. Grandstand events are $10 following paid admission to the fair.

Art, photography, recycled yard art, home economic competitions and the butterfly experience are in the 7,000 square-foot air-conditioned family living building. Additionally, the Little Red Schoolhouse will continue to feature displays from Hillsborough County Schools.

Due to last year’s success, the fair is bringing back its tent focused on educational displays and competitions in science, technology, engineering and math. Interactive displays feature Llegos, building blocks, a solar panel cook-off, marshmallow challenge and trebuchet challenge.

On Sunday, area churches will perform in a Gospel Jam and a baby pageant will also take place Sunday.

The historical Hometown Hillsborough area has a 2,500-square-foot building built to replicate a traditional farm packing shed. It will house many of the tools and equipment used in days gone by. The East Hillsborough County Historical Society will highlight the history of the area in the building this year with cane grinding, syrup boiling, cowboy camp, a six-shooter gallery, storytelling and tool demonstrations.

Arnold's Amusements is providing this year's midway rides. Ride armbands are available every day for $20. Discounted ride armbands can be purchased online for $15. New to the fair this year is the Megapass that includes unlimited admission and unlimited rides during the fair.

Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Regular adult admission to the fair is $7, students pay $5 and seniors pay $4.

Parking is free. The fairgrounds is located at 214 Sydney-Washer Road, Dover.