4800 U.S. Highway 301 North
Tampa, FL 33610
Phone (813) 621-7821             Fax (813) 740-3505             www.floridastatefair.com

• Weekly at Cracker Country: Country Tea Time
• Monthly on the 1st Saturday at Cracker Country: Hands-On History Tours for Youth Groups
• Monthly on the 1st Saturday at Cracker Country: Discover the Past
• Weekly on Tuesdays: 4-H Dog Training Classes 
• Oct. 31-Nov. 2: Harvest Days Horse Show
• Nov. 1: RFC presents MMA Throwdown
• Nov. 1: Fall Gaited Classic
• Nov. 6-9: Tampa Bay RV Show
• Nov. 7-8: SSRWSHA Horse Show
• Nov. 7-9: Junior League of Tampa Holiday Gift Market
• Nov. 13-16: CFHJA Horse Show
• Nov. 14: National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) Tradeshow
• Nov. 15: Sermon on the Mount
• Nov. 15: Pet Adoption Expo
• Nov. 18: USF Education in Action Luncheon
• Nov. 26-29: AHAF Thanksgiving Arabian Horse Show
• Nov. 29-30: Buckler's Craft Fair
• Nov. 29-30: Antiques and Collectibles Fair

Weekly at Cracker Country: Country Tea Time
Groups of five or more are invited to come and experience a cup of Victorian tea with a twist of country every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday starting at 1:30 p.m. or 3 p.m. Learn about this significant 19th century social ritual and take home a souvenir of your afternoon gathering. The tea cost is $20 per person and lasts approximately one hour. Reservations are required in advance to attend. Parking is free for this event when visitors enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. Please contact Susan Obarski by e-mail obarsks@doacs.state.fl.us to make a reservation or call 813-627-4225 on Monday through Friday during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit online www.crackercountry.org.

Nov. 1 -- Monthly at Cracker Country: Hands-On History Tours for Youth Groups
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. at Cracker Country. 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 for students ages six to twelve and one chaperone is admitted free for every 10 paid admissions. Youth groups may stay after the tour to enjoy the new "Discover the Past" program at no additional cost. Reservations are required in advance with a 10-student minimum per group. Parking is free for this event when visitors enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. Please contact Susan Obarski by e-mail obarsks@doacs.state.fl.us to make a reservation or call 813-627-4225 on Monday through Friday during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit online www.crackercountry.org.

Nov. 1 -- Monthly at Cracker Country: Discover the Past
Offered on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except in February), this new program lets you imagine what it was like for settlers of rural Florida in 1898. Use your senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing to relive this time from Florida's past. This event is a fun way for families to spend an enjoyable day together by learning new activities like churning butter and tasting it, making a rope, spinning wool into yarn, or help to plant crops. Adult admission is $6, children ages six to 12 years old and senior citizens enter for $5, and kids five and under are admitted free. Parking is free for this event when visitors enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. Reservations are not required for this event. For more information, visit online www.crackercountry.org or call 813-627-4225 on Monday through Friday during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Weekly on Tuesdays: 4-H Dog Training Classes
Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the Rabbit Barn at the Fairgrounds, the Hillsborough County 4-H Dog Project holds dog training classes for 4-H members (ages 8-18) in obedience, rally and junior showmanship. Additionally at 7 p.m., adult and children dog training classes in obedience and conformation are offered to the public. Class dates and locations can vary, so please inquire in advance for the current class schedule, fees, and building location as location may vary by week. Parking is free for these classes; visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information on 4-H classes, contact Sally Alford Manning by e-mail horsepny@tampabay.rr.com. For more information on the adult and children dog training classes, contact Shelby Stevens by e-mail kibetsyork@aol.com or call 813-685-6684. Please call in advance during the week of a holiday to check whether classes will be cancelled that day or scheduled to occur as normal.

Oct. 31-Nov. 2: Harvest Days Horse Show
Sponsored by the Tampa Horse Show Association, this annual event returns to the Charlie Lykes Arena for a fast-paced competition featuring Saddlebreds, Morgans, Roadsters and Ponies.  Please check with the show office for show times for each 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 online www.tampahorseshows.org or call Becky Buffington at 813-926-6974.

Nov. 1: RFC presents MMA Throwdown
Real Fighting Championships (RFC) presents a Mixed Martial Arts Throwdown at the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center for one exciting night of cage fighting. Enjoy 12 matches including the title fight featuring Carl Greco against Danny "Badboy" Babcock. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the first fight begins at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25 for general admission seating, $40-60 for VIP seating, and $500-1,000 for VIP tables (seats 8 people) depending on location. Table reservations are not sold through Ticketmaster and may be purchased only through the RFC office. Parking is $5 per car and $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. entrance. The fight card and ticket prices are subject to change at any time without notice. For more information visit online www.rfcmma.com or to reserve a table please call Denise Oldham with the RFC office at 813-964-9818. Tickets can be purchased in person at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 813-287-8844 or 727-898-2100 or for people with hearing disabilities call TDD# 800-943-4327. There will be a Ticketmaster Fee or a Box Office Service Charge added to the price of each ticket. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service & handling charges.

Nov. 1: Fall Gaited Classic
Sponsored by the Florida Rocky Mountain Horse Association, this horse show is sanctioned with Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) as an 'A' rated show. The event will be held in the West Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center and begins at 9 a.m. Entry fees and stall rental charges apply for participants. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online http://fl.rmha.net/ or contact Kathy Parrish at 352-406-1395.

Nov. 6-9: Tampa Bay RV Show
The Florida RV Trade Association will unveil the first showing of 2009 RVs in the bay area at the Fairgrounds. View hundreds of new and used motorhomes, travel trailers, folding tent campers, and fifth wheels on display inside the Expo Hall and outdoors. There will also be booths from companies representing campgrounds, finance, and insurance needs. Demos are available for a road test. Show hours are Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children less than 16 years of age. Visitors may receive $1 off admission per person on any day with a canned good donation to benefit Metropolitan Ministries. Multiple cans are welcome but there is a maximum discount of $1 off per person. Seniors receive $1 off admission per person on Thursday only. Military, firemen, and police get free admission on Friday only. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, visit online www.frvta.org or call Patty McCarson at 813-741-0488.

Nov. 7-8: SSRWSHA Horse Show
Hosted by the Sunshine State Racking, Walking & Spotted Horse Association (SSRWSHA), horses and riders of all levels will participate in preliminary and championship classes held in the Charlie Lykes Arena at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center throughout two days. Entry fees and stall rental charges apply for participants. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.ssrwsha.org, contact Debbie DesChamps via e-mail secretary@ssrwsha.org or call 352-796-0298.

Nov. 7-9: Junior League of Tampa Holiday Gift Market
The Junior League of Tampa hosts its annual Holiday Gift Market fundraising event in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall. The three-day shopping event features more than 120 specialty merchants from across the country offering everything from clothing, jewelry, handbags, art, home goods and children’s items. The award-winning Junior League of Tampa Culinary Collection cookbooks will be available for purchase. Event hours are Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 per adult and children 12 and younger enter free. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, visit online www.jltampa.org or call 813-254-1734.

Nov. 13-16: CFHJA Horse Show
The Central Florida Hunter Jumper Association (CFHJA) will host a four-day, USEF sanctioned horse show at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Hunter and jumper competitions for children and adult divisions begin at on Thursday and conclude on Sunday. Please check the schedule for competition times and show ring location. 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 online www.cfhja.com or call Dani Becker at 813-839-0111.

Nov. 14: National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) Tradeshow
The Tampa Bay Area Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing is holding their annual Trade Show in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center. This is a great opportunity to see the latest products and services available from more than 100 exhibitors. Meet, greet, and connect with governmental purchasing professionals from various counties including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando. Event hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  A free lunch will be provided from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to the first 500 registered attendees. You must pre-register to ensure that you have a ticket for lunch. Door prizes will be given throughout the day. Please consider carpooling to this event, as the NIGP Tampa Chapter will be paying for the parking fees. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information, visit online www.nigp-tampabay.org or call Mina Kaeding at 813-272-4326.

Nov. 15: Sermon on the Mount
Dr. Lew Sterett will present a one-day short course, "Lessons in Leadership from the Language of the Horse", ideal for community and business leaders, educators and parents. This unique equestrian program uses an entertaining approach to leadership addressing key issues through the use of horse training and interactive dialogue. Event hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Charlie Lykes Arena at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The registration fee to attend is $15 for individuals and $25 per couple or $35 on the day of the event. Parking is free for this event only; visitors must enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance for this event. For more information, visit online http://mmrm.org/sotm/sotm.html or call 813-267-5978.

Nov. 15: Pet Adoption Expo
No More Homeless Pets and the ASPCA Mission Orange team up to bring over 20 animal rescue groups with more than 400 animals looking for a good home for a one-day event held in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center. The event also features demonstrations on pet behavior, "Ask a Veterinarian" booth and vendors with pet products for sale. Event hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free for this event only. Visitors must enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.tampapets.org or call Lisa Knight at 813-367-2078.

Nov. 18: USF Education in Action Luncheon
The annual Education in Action Luncheon hosted by the University of South Florida (USF) College of Education in conjunction with the Florida State Fair Authority will take place in the Florida Center. The event draws more than 600 business, education, government and community leaders together each year to benefit the USF College of Education programs. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the program begins at 12 p.m. Attendees should enter the Fairgrounds via the M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. entrance. Parking is complimentary for this event. For details on ticket prices and other event information, contact Richard Dearolf via e-mail Dearolf@tempest.coedu.usf.edu or call 813-974-0363.

Nov. 26-29: AHAF Thanksgiving Arabian Horse Show
The Arabian Horse Association of Florida (AHAF) hosts its annual Thanksgiving horse show featuring Arabian, Half-Arabian and National Show horses from throughout the country. Held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, classes begin each day at 8 a.m. and continue through the evening. Entry fees and stall rental charges apply for participants. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online http://ahaflorida.org/ or call John Gersch at 352-591-1560 or 561-602-7122.

Nov. 29-30: Buckler's Craft Fair
The Buckler's Craft Fair takes place in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall for two days with plenty of shopping for one-of-a-kind creations and hand-made crafts from some of the finest artisans in the nation. Vendors will be selling unique items including folk art, home accessories, jewelry, handcrafted furniture, dolls, homemade fudge, gourmet delights, scrapbooking supplies, Christmas trinkets and red hat items, and much more. Show hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $5 and children ages 12 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult. A hand stamp re-admits visitors all weekend for the event. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, visit www.bucklerpromotions.com or call 386-860-0092.

Nov. 29-30: Antiques and Collectibles Fair
Held in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center, this event will feature more than 100 indoor and outdoor dealers from across the nation. Thousands of items will be available for purchase including all types of antiques, collectibles, artwork, furniture, jewelry, automobilia, Floridiana, Florida Highwaymen paintings, silver, crystal, coins, stamps, architectural items and much more. Event hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Weekend admission is $6 per adult or $5 with a discount coupon per person. Seniors (ages 63 and older) are admitted for $5 and children under 12 are free with an accompanying adult. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information, visit online www.21centuryexpo.com or contact Jeff Francis or Paula Johnson at 727-345-6627.