FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - JAN. 2009 EVENTS AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS

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

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 www.crackercountry.org.

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 www.fqha.net or contact Peg Edmondson at 941-484-4687.

Jan. 2-Feb. 4: Florida State Fair Tickets on Sale
Fair gate admission tickets will go on sale at participating Sweetbay Supermarket stores starting Jan. 2nd through February 4th.  Sweetbay stores will only sell fair gate admission tickets (while supplies last) and no other discount offers.  The ten Sweetbay participating counties include Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, Desoto and Highlands.  The Florida State Fair will begin to sell all discounted offers starting Jan. 5th for gate admission tickets, ride tickets, armbands, concert tickets and group sales packages.  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 105th annual Florida State Fair will take place on February 5-16, 2009 in Tampa.  For more information about the 2009 Florida State Fair visit online www.floridastatefair.com, call toll-free (800) 345-FAIR or (813) 621-7821.

Jan. 2-4: Country Folk Art Craft Show
The ultimate craft show for home decor returns to the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center featuring many local and national artisans. Shop for a huge array of items for all decorating and gift-giving ideas including handcrafted furniture, garden art, cozy quilts, fabulous florals, traditional and fine art, jewelry and wearable art, handmade soaps, candles, gourmet delights, holiday items, and much more. Show hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission for ages 13 and older is $6 on Friday and $5 on Saturday and Sunday. A hand stamp readmits visitors to the event for the entire weekend. 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.countryfolkart.com or call 248-634-4151.

Jan. 3: 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 "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.

Jan. 3: Discover the Past  (Monthly on the 1st Saturday at Cracker Country museum)
Held on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except in February), this program lets you imagine what it was like for settlers of rural Florida living 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.

Jan. 3-8: FQHA Gulf Coast Circuit
Edmondson Management hosts this 28th annual equestrian competition held throughout the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Section A consists of English discipline, cattle events, reining, and trail classes. Section B consists of Western discipline, driving 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 www.fqha.net or contact Peg Edmondson at 941-484-4687.

Jan. 14-18: 2009 Florida RV Supershow
The Florida RV Trade Association hosts its 24th annual Florida RV Supershow held throughout the Fairgrounds. More than 1,300 RVs will be on display including brand new 2009 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. 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. 21-22: Senior Fun Fest
Senior Connection, "Tampa Bay's Award Winning Senior Magazine", presents Senior Fun Fest, a two-day expo featuring a bevy of activities that attracts more than 10,000 seniors to the event. There will be over 250 exhibitors including free health screenings, bingo games, prizes and giveaways, and a "Grandkids are the Greatest" photo contest. Enjoy free musical performances by American Bandstand recording artists Mary Swan and Marti Carroll. A one-mile fun walk around the Fairgrounds will take place on Thursday at 9 a.m. Visitors can also purchase admission tickets to the 2009 Florida State Fair and the Country Gold Tour concert tickets while at the event. Event hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. Admission and parking are free for this event. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, visit www.srmagazine.com or call Senior Connection at 813-653-1988.

Jan. 24-25: Suncoast Sports Festival
Suncoast Gymnastics Academy presents this 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 and rhythmic gymnastics. Admission prices for a single day are $12 for adults (ages 18 and older), $8 for children (ages 5-17), and kids under four enter free. A weekend admission pass is $17 for adults and $13 for children. Parking is $5 per car and $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. Event hours are from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Competition times vary by category. For more information, visit online www.suncoastsportsfest.com or call Arnold Gwinn at 727-919-4149.

Jan. 31: Mahogany Lounge Party
A Degree or Better Productions, the Bay area's most sophisticated nightlife events, presents another Mahogany Lounge party at the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center at 10 p.m. Proper dress attire required; no jeans allowed at this event.  All attendees must be at least 21 years of age.  Proper photo I.D. must be presented 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 www.adegreeorbetter.com or call 813-385-7352.