The Florida State Fair

On a day when Florida was the only State of the whole fifty with no snow on the ground, Judy and I made our way down I-4 to Exit 7 just east of Tampa. Our destination - a Senior Day at the 

FLORIDA STATE FAIR 

This was our first visit to the event. Other than a day spent at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis a few years ago, our exposure to such experiences has been confined to the New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY. We have found each to be worthwhile in its own way. This fair, for us, is a definite must-see-again event.

The New York State Fair is large and very focused on the rural and farm life of upstate as well as overall fields of technology which would interest people statewide. The Florida State Fair, on the other hand, has less of an emphasis on dairy and related agricultural fields. However, in all fairness (no pun intended), we did not visit the various barns designated for livestock judging and display; nor did we take this opportunity to attend any of the equestrian events scheduled for the day.








Of course, there are craft shows to amaze our appreciation for beauty and creativity, and horse pulls and other familiar items of interest to give the thrill of competition. Here, also, the visitor learns a lot about citrus studies and efforts to be environmentally responsible in a region which hosts alligators and storks and bees...oh my. 

What the fair does not have in size it makes up for in colorful and attractive surroundings. As with any good fair there is an abundant selection of food vendors.

The midway hosts the typical variety of rides for which I am now content with memories of days when I could enjoy them without vertigo. Challenges to spend your money betting against the odds abound and give a good opportunity to develop the skill of not making eye contact. Friends of ours visited a section featuring eagles. We missed that one, but did find a tent where people could feed a collection of animal life including a giraffe.


As for Judy and me, we made our way to the "Cracker Country" section of the grounds.

"Crackers" are the cowboys of Floridian lore and their story makes up one of the major features of the culture. The Cracker Country grounds are among the best efforts to recreate a community of the past that I have visited. The buildings are originals brought in from across the State. As well as an Afro-American school which was eventually turned into a church, there is a country store, a regular one-room school, a dry-goods establishment a rail road depot and several shops.


You can also tour a house which was the boyhood home of one of Florida's governors. If you have a bar-code app on your mobile phone, you can read the QR code on the sign to the right to get an idea of the historical information offered in a self-guided tour.

And...In the center of the grounds is a band stand where we enjoyed some country music and wished there was a way of teaming them up with the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys. 

Unfortunately, other than for school groups, the only time the display is open to the public is during the fair weeks. In the meantime an official work crew maintains the various features of the community including the gardens, making of candles and grinding of sugar cane. 

Other sections of the Fair grounds give more detailed information concerning the Crackers and the cattle ranches of old.

In a State where high tech entertainment theme parks abound, a fair does not generate the kind of enthusiasm as those in states where there is less media-driven competition. Yet, in my opinion, that makes THIS fair a welcome change of pace - as well as a more affordable day in the sun.We will be returning in years to come, if God allows.   

For news and upcoming events go to http://www.floridastatefair.com/