All the fun of the Florida State Fair returns to Tampa this Thursday

Get ready for all the fun of the fair, as the Florida State Fair returns to the Florida State Fairgrounds this Thursday, February 9.

The much loved Florida State Fair is one of the largest events in the state, attracting more than 500,000 visitors throughout its annual run.

The 2023 Florida State Fair runs from February 9 through until February 20, and boasts the largest Midway in the USA, plus shopping, food, livestock, non stop entertainment, and so much more, including racing pigs.

AGRICULTURE AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIR

The Florida State Fair hosts many agricultural competitions and events, from the best of the best in youth and open livestock competitions to educational program.

There’s always something to discover in the agriculture area at the Florida State Fair, competition's include: Dairy Goat Show, Llama Show, Boer Goat Show, and more.

Plus it's not just sheep, goats, and llamas that you'll meet, check out the assortment of animals on display at the sho, including giraffe!

ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIR

Non stop entertainment, all included with admission!

This year's entertainment includes:

Circus Hollywood

A classic circus while providing a new, modern twist sure to the delight people of all ages! You can check out this event under the big top.

Extreme Illusions & Escapes

A show mixed with amazing stage illusions, and skillful escapes, audience participation and exciting music, not your everyday “magic” act!

Otter Adventure

This fun and interactive animal attraction will give you a warm, fuzzy feeling as you watch live Otters perform and interact with their trainers.

The Flying Royals' Spectacular

A crisscrossing trapeze act with spectacular non-stop aerial action! The act can change in a moment, so you don’t see the same tricks twice!

Demolition Derby

An action-packed event of multiple drivers competing by deliberately ramming their vehicles into one another!

Hollywood Racing Pigs

Come cheer for your favorite pigs as they tear up the track for the coveted winner's cookie! This show consists of an obstacle course & 2 races!

Cycle Circus Live

The largest FMX freestyle entertainment show. Combining the top action sports athletes, the theatrics of cycle circus, high-tech pyrotechnics & music!

Wet & Wild Water Show

Wet and wild thrills on Center Lake produced by Bello Nock! This show features three styles of FlyBoards, HoverBoards, Jet Levitation, and JetSurfs!

Farm Yard Follies

A funny and educational animal entertainment show that features goats, sheep and llamas performing with the infamous troublemaking spotted donkey!

Extreme Dogs

These high flying, extreme sport, wickedly talented Canine athletic super star animals capture the hearts of hundreds of thousands coast to coast!

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

There is live music throughout the 12 days of the fair, and with so much happening you'll need to visit every day to catch it all!

Listed here is just a selection of the live entertainment on throughout the fair.

Dennis Lee Band

Blending musical favorites, comedy, country music, old time Rock n' Roll, and Patriotic numbers, including God Bless the USA.

Duelly Noted

Duelly Noted is a sassy, one-of-a-kind, interactive dueling pianos act. They engage audiences and play your favorite hits from the 60’s to today!

Cast in Bronze

Cast in Bronze is a unique musical experience: five centuries of history with four tones of bronze bells. Witness the magic of carillon bells!

Sarah Diamond & The Soul Miners

Singer/songwriter Sarah Diamond sharing her powerful country/rock sound with an eager following throughout Tampa Bay.

The Divebombers

play classic American music with a focus on top level guitar playing. The group blends classic genres into a crowd pleasing show!

Derek Lersch Band

A passion for music, performing 35+ shows. Country music is his roots, so be sure to bring your hat and boots and get ready for a great performance!

Rockland Road

A powerhouse group featuring soulful vocals imbued with a pure, exuberant joy worthy of the talented blood that flows through this family’s veins.

EXHIBITS AT THIS YEARS FLORIDA STATE FAIR 2023

Exhibits at this years show include:

Creative Living Exhibits

Stroll through Florida Center to view works of art created and submitted to the Creative Living Competitions by talented individuals from all across the state of Florida!

Cracker Country

Immerse yourself in the life of a 19th century Florida pioneer. Visit authentic buildings and learn about home life, trade, commerce and transportation as it was in rural Florida.

Cattle Ranching Museum

Experience 500 years of unique ranching traditions through personal stories, photographs, art and authentic artifacts in this exhibit presented by the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Exhibit

Discover some of the many ways to enjoy Florida's natural environment, such as hiking, fishing, boating, hunting and photography.

Whether you’re looking for adrenaline-charged thrill, a kid-friendly twirl, or a romantic rendezvous, the Florida State Fair’s ride midway, the largest in the U.S.A, is sure to please.

12 new rides are coming to the Florida State Fair this year!

The brand new Bertizzon Wave Swing is sure to be “Queen of the Midway”

If inside-out, upside down foolishness is your cup of crazy, The Street Fighter 360, which is stomach- churning just to look at, will do the trick with its gravity-defying adventure ride; as will the Super Cyclone Coaster and Air Raid.

Kids will be smiling with a trip on the colorful Groovy Bus, gentle Happy Swing, tyke-size Monster Trucks or the temperate Dragon Fly Coaster.

For an excuse to drape your arm over your honey’s shoulder, make sure to go for a spin on the glorious Midway Sky Eye, North America's tallest traveling Ferris wheel; take a spooky journey into the dark in the Haunted Mansion, and climb aboard the Sky Ride, which provides a dreamy chairlift style tour above the glittering lights and action of the fair.

This year's fair is offering an array of unique — and some might say bizarre — food offerings.

Fair food this year includes a twist on a signature Florida dessert, and a dish that combines Tampa's rich history and the yearly staple that's a must for most fair-goers.

THE NEW FOOD OF THE 2023 FLORIDA STATE FAIR

Walking Nacho Dog

If you're in the mood for a hot dog, this one features a bit of a kick, with jalapeño peppers, chips, and a cheese sauce.

Mexican Street Corn Sundae

Another Latin take on a typically American dish. It features french fries, but with a Southwestern flavor. The fries are topped with warm Chile con Queso cheese, sweet corn, cilantro lime crema, and topped with Cajun shrimp or sirloin steak.

Fried Key Lime Pie

Key lime purists might struggle with this one. The dessert that Florida helped make famous is served in a cup, along with bits of mini-doughnuts and a graham cracker crumble, and coated with buttercream frosting. If that wasn't sweet enough, throw in a white chocolate topping and whipped cream.

Watermelon Sweet Tea

If you need to wash down all of that key lime sweetness, try a sweet tea with a dose of watermelon juice. You can even make it an "Arnold Palmer" by adding some fresh-squeezed lemonade.

Tampa Cuban Funnel Cake Sandwich

It's everything that makes a Tampa Cuban sandwich famous — Spanish pork, smoked ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, and mustard. But instead of being pressed inside Cuban bread, it's assembled with funnel cakes that are pressed and topped with doughnut glaze. Here's your interesting take on sweet and savory.

Sweet Potato Apple Pie

Here's another blend of sweet and savory. A baked sweet potato, topped with butter, cinnamon, sugar apples, and whipped cream. (Come to think of it, you may want to put this on your Thanksgiving dessert list).

Nacho Mama

The name might actually be more interesting than the dish itself. Nacho fans will appreciate the blend of homemade corn tortilla chips topped with tenderloin steak and everything else we love about nachos (including jalapeños, sauteed peppers and onions, green onions, nacho cheese, and ranch dressing).

Mangonada

If a sweet watermelon tea isn't your thing, perhaps a slushy mix of mangos topped with a sweet tangy syrup, lime tangy salt, and a spicy tamarind stick is more to your liking.

Cookie Taco Supreme

One definitely for the sweet-tooth and S'mores fans. A chocolate chip cookie serves as the taco shell and is filled with S'mores ice cream and topped with Oreos and a chocolate dip. And, of course, whipped cream.

The 2023 Florida State Fair runs from February 9 through 20, you can purchase their tickets in advance on the fair's website along with select Wawa locations.