FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - DECEMBER EVENTS AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS

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

• Weekly at Cracker Country museum: Country Tea Time
• Weekly on Tuesdays: 4-H Dog Training Classes 
• Dec. 3: FSFA Board Meeting
• Dec. 4-7: CFHJA Horse Show
• Dec. 6: Hands-On History Tours for Youth Groups (Monthly on the 1st Saturday at Cracker Country museum)
• Dec. 6: Discover the Past - Christmas in the Country at Cracker Country museum
• Dec. 6: Christmas Lamplight Tours at Cracker Country museum
• Dec. 6: John Deere Tractor Caravan Ride-N-Drive
• Dec. 6-7: Suncoast Gun Show & Sale 
• Dec. 7: Concert - 97X Next Big Thing Live Rock Show
• Dec. 13-14: Cheer America Competitions
• Dec. 13-14: Tampa Trials
• Dec. 13-14: Southeast Hunter Jumper Horse Show
• Dec. 20-21: Tampa Model Train Show & Sale
• Dec. 27- Jan 2: Gold Coast Circuit

Weekly at Cracker Country museum: 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 http://www.crackercountry.org/.

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.

Dec. 3: FSFA Board Meeting
The Florida State Fair Authority (FSFA) will have a Board Meeting on Monday at 1 p.m. in the Florida Center. Agenda items to be discussed will include old and new business; plus reports from the  finance and marketing committees. The public and media are welcome to attend. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. Parking is complimentary for this event. For more information, contact Kathleen Fisher via e-mail at fisherk@doacs.state.fl.us or call 813-627-4221.

Dec. 4-7: 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 http://www.cfhja.com/ or call Dani Becker at 813-839-0111.

Dec. 6: Hands-On History Tours for Youth Groups (Monthly on the 1st Saturday at Cracker Country museum)
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 http://www.crackercountry.org/.

Dec. 6: Discover the Past - Christmas in the Country at Cracker Country museum
Imagine what it was like for settlers of rural Florida in 1898 preparing for the holidays. Enjoy a great day experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of an old fashion country Christmas.  Learn how the holiday traditions of the 19th century differ from those of the 21st through hands-on historical interpretations, music, making traditional decorations and more! 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 those guests wishing to attend both the daytime and evening events at the museum, a special combination ticket is available at a reduced rate.  Combination adult admission is $10, children ages six to 12 years old and senior citizens enter for $9, and kids five and under are admitted free. For more information, visit online http://www.crackercountry.org/ or call 813-627-4225 on Monday through Friday during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dec. 6: Christmas Lamplight Tours at Cracker Country museum
Enjoy Cracker Country at dusk with a lamplight tour through a selection of our historic homes and community buildings, illuminating how rural Floridians would have celebrated Christmas. These tours are by RESERVATION ONLY and last approximately 45 minutes.  Enjoy activities including how to make traditional decorations, hear a Christmas yarn or two and catch up on your holiday shopping in our General Store.  Adult admission is $5, children ages six to 12 years old and senior citizens enter for $4, and kids five and under are admitted free. For those guests wishing to attend both the daytime and evening events at the museum, a special combination ticket is available at a reduced rate.  Combination adult admission is $10, children ages six to 12 years old and senior citizens enter for $9, and kids five and under are admitted free. 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/ or call 813-627-4225 on Monday through Friday during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Dec. 6: John Deere Tractor Caravan Ride-N-Drive
An extensive line of John Deere tractors will be featured at this one-day event where you can test drive the tractor caravan of your choice. The event takes place outdoors at the Pavilion parking lot from 12 to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free for this event. Visitors must enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.highlandtractor.com, e-mail Sheila Guthrie at sguthrie@highlandtractor.com or call 941-751-1499.

Dec. 6-7: Suncoast Gun Show & Sale
One of Florida's largest gun shows returns to the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center with a huge selection of new and used items for the firearms collector, hunter or sportsman. The Suncoast Gun Show and Sale features nearly 400 tables of firearms-related accessories including gun parts, gun-related tools, knives, cases, locks, cartridge boxes and belts, and ammunition for collectors. Show hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, children 12 and younger are admitted free. All persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. The fee for the Concealed Weapons/Firearms Safety Course is $40 per person. The classes are offered on both days at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and last approximately 2 hours. Appointments are not needed for these classes, nor are firearms. 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 http://www.suncoastgunshows.com/ or call 330-963-6964.

Dec. 7: Concert - 97X Next Big Thing Live Rock Show
Miller Lite presents the 97X Next Big Thing Live Rock Show featuring more than ten bands on multiple stages performing at the Ford Amphitheatre. Artists scheduled to perform include Avenged Sevenfold, Shinedown, Atreyu, Flogging Molly, Flobots, Shiny Toy Guns, Saving Abel, Ludo, Anberlin, 3 OH! 3, and Framing Hanley. Doors open at 10 a.m. Ticket prices are $73.55 for PIT section general admission; $73.55, $62.85, $46.80 and $41.45 for reserved seating; and $36.10 for general admission lawn seating. These prices include sales tax and parking; a Ticketmaster fee or a Box Office service and handling charge will be added to the price of each ticket. The Macy's VIP Experience is the best way to enjoy the 97X Next Big Thing -- up close and personal with all the bands. The Macy's VIP Experience package includes two (2) tickets in the VIP Section, two (2) NBT commemorative t-shirts in a VIP exclusive color, VIP parking and access to the Macy's VIP Tent including bar and bathrooms, waitress service to your seat, and access to see all the jumbotron interviews with the NBT artists! All this for only $250 plus tax and applicable service fees. All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice; concerts are scheduled to take place rain or shine. Tickets to all Ford Amphitheatre events can be purchased in person at all Ticketmaster outlets or at the Ford Amphitheatre Box Office; or purchase online at http://www.livenation.com/ and http://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. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via U.S. Hwy. 301 or the M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. entrance. Only guests with VIP parking should enter through Orient Road. For more information on this event, visit online http://www.97xonline.com or call the Ford Amphitheatre at 813-740-2446.

Dec. 13-14: Cheer America Competitions
Cheerleaders from nine surrounding counties, ranging in age from five to 15, will get the crowd pumped up as they battle it out in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center.  Performances take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.  Cheerleader registration is $45 in advance or $50 on the day of the event.  General admission for spectators is $7 in advance or $10 at the door per person; children ages three and younger are admitted free. 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 or to purchase advance tickets, visit online http://www.allamericanyouth.org/ or call 813-885-2292.

Dec. 13-14: Tampa Trials
This Arena Driving Trial (ADT) is a carriage driving event, sanctioned by the American Driving Society, in which three phases of competition take place in an arena. It consists of dressage, cones, and hazards/obstacles. The event is held in the Charlie Lykes Arena and Pony Ring on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with the dressage phase followed by cones. Sunday's activities begin at 8:45 a.m. with hazard competitions. Entry fees and stall rental charges apply for participants. Parking and admission are free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.cypresskeep.com/tampatrials or contact Erika Matulich at 813-982-2200.

Dec. 13-14: Southeast Hunter Jumper Horse Show
The Southeast Hunter Jumper Association hosts a two-day horse competition held in Gran Prix Ring and Pony Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center beginning at 8 a.m. each day. Competitions will be held in marshall and sterling, hunter and jumper divisions for children and adult categories with $3,000 in prizes to be awarded. Entry fees vary based on the entry category and stall charges apply. Participants must pre-register and fees must be paid with entry submission. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Participants and visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online http://www.sehj.com/ or call Eric Lavin at 352-797-7469.

Dec. 20-21: Tampa Model Train Show & Sale
Golden Spike Enterprises hosts its 4th annual Tampa Model Train Show and Sale in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center for two days. Train collectors and railroad fans can find over 200 tables of model items in all gauges and railroad artifacts for sale. See large operating layouts, plus find train-related parts, accessories and collector items for sale. Kids can also enjoy a train ride while at the event. Show hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 per adult; children under 12 are admitted free. A printable discount offer is available online. Only cash will be accepted for admission at the door. 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 http://www.gserr.com/, e-mail Alan Altman at gse99@aol.com or call 813-949-7197.

Dec. 27- Jan 2: Gold Coast Circuit
America's prestigious Winter Quarter Horse Circuit takes place throughout the entire Bob Thomas Equestrian Center showcasing the 42nd annual Florida Gold Coast Circuit. This seven-day event attracts quarter horses, their owners, trainers and riders from across the country to compete in English, Western, Driving, Reining, and Trail classes. Show hours vary by day. 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 http://www.fqha.net/ or contact Peg Edmondson at 941-484-4687.