Florida State Fairgrounds Tampa Florida
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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN JANUARY AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS
GET YOUR SUPER SAVINGS NOW FOR MORE SUPER FUN LATER AT THE 2010 FLORIDA STATE FAIR!  Florida State Fair gate admission tickets will go on sale at participating Sweetbay Supermarket stores starting Jan. 2nd through Feb. 3rd.  Sweetbay stores will only sell fair gate admission tickets (while supplies last) and no other discount offers.  Gate admission tickets are sold at select Sweetbay stores only in these Florida counties: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, Desoto and Highlands.  The Florida State Fair is now selling all discounted offers for gate admission tickets, ride tickets, armbands, coupon books, concert tickets and group sales packages.  These offers can be purchased online at www.floridastatefair.net or in person at the Fair Box Office during business hours.  Gate admission is not included with purchase of armbands, ride tickets, or concert tickets.  There will be no refunds, exchanges or rainchecks.  All acts, concerts, scheduled times, exhibitors, prices and other advertised events are subject to change and/or cancel without notice.
 
The Fairgrounds offers a variety of entertaining indoor and outdoor events taking place in eastern Hillsborough County. A brief listing of the monthly events is provided followed by a detailed event description. 

Locate hotels near the Florida State Fairgrounds Tampa Florida

Jan. 2: Hands-On History Tours for Youth Groups (ongoing monthly, except in February)
Held in Cracker Country, the hands-on history tours for youth groups are offered the first Saturday of every month, except in February, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Give your youth organization the opportunity to learn about the past and become a part of it. Led by knowledgeable historical interpreters, kids can spend the morning experiencing life as a Florida pioneer through hands-on chores and practices of the late 1800's. The tour cost is $5 per child and one adult chaperone is admitted free for every 10 paid admissions.  Additional adults are $5 each. Youth groups may stay after the tour to enjoy the Discover the Past program at no additional cost. Reservations are required in advance with a 10-person minimum per group. Parking is free for this event when visitors enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online http://www.crackercountry.org/, contact Susan Obarski by e-mail obarsks@doacs.state.fl.us or call 813-627-4225 on Monday through Friday during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jan. 2: Discover the Past (ongoing monthly, except in February)
Imagine it's the year 1898 and you have just settled in rural Florida. What would you be doing, seeing and experiencing? To find out, step through our doorway into history and Discover the Past! These programs let you use your senses of sight smell, taste, touch, and hearing to relive early rural Florida at your own pace. Perhaps you will churn and taste butter, help make a rope, spin wool into yarn, or maybe feel the soil as you help plant crops. Offered the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., except February, this event is a fun way for families to spend an enjoyable day together. Adult admission is $6, children ages 6 to 12 years old and senior citizens enter for $5, and kids ages five and younger are admitted free.  Parking is free for this event when visitors enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. Reservations are not necessary. For more information, visit online http://www.crackercountry.org/, contact Susan Obarski by e-mail obarsks@doacs.state.fl.us or call 813-627-4225 on Monday through Friday during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Jan. 3-8: Gulf Coast Quarter Horse Show
FQHA hosts this annual equestrian competition held throughout the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Show hours vary by day; entry fees and stall rental charges apply for participants. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Participants and visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit www.fqha.net or call Peg Edmondson at 941-484-4687.

Jan. 13-17: 2010 Florida RV Supershow
The Florida RV Trade Association hosts its 25th anniversary Florida RV Supershow held throughout the Fairgrounds. More than 1,100 RVs will be on display including brand new 2010 models and over 350 indoor and outdoor booths with new products, supplies, and accessories for sale. Companies will be on-site offering finance options and insurance for your RV purchase. Don't miss the largest RV show in the country. Event hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults for a two-day pass and children less than 16 years of age are admitted free with an adult. Senior citizens receive $1 off admission on Wednesday. Wheelchair rental will be available at both entrances. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or Bus. Camping and overnight parking is available at the Fairgrounds. Free shuttle service will be available from the outer parking lots to show entrance. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. or U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, visit www.frvta.org or call Lesa Colvin at 813-741-0488.

Jan. 22-24: Super Liquidation Sale
This general merchandise sale will take place in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center.  Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus for each time a vehicle enters the grounds. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information, call Anita Sood at 614-888-7895.  

Jan. 23-24: Suncoast Sports Fest
Tampa Bay Sports Commission presents this two-day sporting event in the Expo Hall and Sweetbay Entertainment Hall. Coaches and athletes from across the country will participate in competitions including boys and girls gymnastics, cheerleading, karate, Tae Kwon Do, dance, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, tumbling and baton. Event times on Saturday and Sunday are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Competition times vary by category. Admission prices for a single day are $12 for adults (ages 18 and older), $8 for children (ages 6-17), and kids ages five and younger are free. A weekend admission pass is $17 for adults or $13 for children. CASH ONLY is accepted for admission. Parking is $5 per car and $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, visit online www.suncoastsportsfest.com , contact Arnold Gwinn by e-mail sunsportsfest@aol.com or call 727-919-4149.

Jan. 23-24: PCHA Horse Show
The Pinellas County Hunter Association (PCHA) will host a two-day, non-rated horse show featuring horses and riders competing in both hunter and jumper classes at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Entry fees and stall rental charges apply for participants. Please check with the show office for show times for each day. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Participants and visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.pcha-fl.org or call Michelle Drain at 727-546-7664. 

Jan. 29-31: American Quarter Horse Show
The Florida State Fair Authority hosts a three-day horse show (pre-fair) featuring American Quarter horses held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in the Covered Ring. Show begins at 8:00 a.m. all three days. Please inquire with the show office for entry fees to participate. Admission and parking is free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, contact Amy Uniss by e-mail unissa@doacs.state.fl.us or call 813-621-7821 ext. 4217. 

Jan. 30: Ultimate Medical Academy Graduation
This event takes place on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall. Gates will open 1 hour prior to event start time. Parking is $5 per car and $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance.  For more information, contact Ana Prestandra by e-mail anap@studymedical.com or call 813-386-6357. 

Jan 30-31: Paint-Pinto Combined Horse Show
The Florida State Fair Authority hosts a two-day horse show (pre-fair) featuring Paint-Pinto horses held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in the Covered Ring. Show begins at 8:30 a.m. both days. Please inquire with the show office for entry fees to participate. Admission and parking is free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, contact Amy Uniss by e-mail unissa@doacs.state.fl.us. or call 813-621-7821 ext. 4217.

 
OTHER FAIRGROUNDS NEWS:  The 2010 Florida State Fair will take place on February 4-15, 2010 for twelve consecutive days. We are now seeking food vendors and local restaurants that can offer unique, authentic foods specifically with Hispanic and African-American influence and flavor. Vendor space applications for the next Florida State Fair are now available online at http://www.floridastatefair.com/vendor-application. All interested applicants are advised to print, complete and send in their applications immediately as space is limited for new vendors!                                                                                                                     

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