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
• Now through May 8: Rural Home Life Spring School Tours (ongoing weekly)
• March 31-April 4: Tournament of Champions (Winter Equestrian Festival)
• April 4: Hands-On History Tours for Youth Groups (ongoing monthly)
• April 4: Discover the Past (ongoing monthly)
• April 11-12: FPtHA Horse Show
• April 11-12: PCHA Non-Rated Horse Show
• April 14-17, 20-23 & 27-30: Spring Ag Venture
• April 14: Town Hall Meeting
• April 17: FQHA American Quarter Horse Show
• April 18-19: Optimist Club Quarter Horse Show
• April 18-19: JAMfest National Championship
• April 18-19: Suncoast Gun Show & Sale
• April 18-19: AHAF Spring Fling
• April 21: FSFA Board Meeting
• April 25: Pet Adoption Expo
• April 25: Concert – Jimmy Buffett 
• April 25-26: Buckler's Craft Fair
• April 25-26: Area "E" 4-H Horse Show
• April 26: Carnival Tampa '09 
• April 26: Concert – Nickelback
• April 29-30: Florida Building & Facility Maintenance Show

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/. 

Now through May 8: Rural Home Life Spring School Tours (ongoing weekly)
Held in Cracker Country, students can spend a morning immersed in a rural Florida community of the past. By engaging in hands-on activities, they will learn about the differences and similarities between their modern lives and those of children in 1898. These spring tours are held Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through May 8. Admission cost is $5 per student; one teacher/chaperone is admitted free for every 10 paid students and additional adult admission is $5 each. Reservations are required in advance to attend a tour. Parking is free for these student tours. Group visitors must enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. To make a reservation, please call 813-627-4225 on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit online http://www.crackercountry.org/, contact Susan Obarski by e-mail obarsks@doacs.state.fl.us or call 813-627-4225.

March 31-April 4: Tournament of Champions (Winter Equestrian Festival)
Presented by Stadium Jumping, this horse competition is the culmination of the Winter Equestrian Festival held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. The USEF-sanctioned show features amateur-owner, adult amateur, junior, and children competing in jumper and hunter divisions. The 2009 Tampa Series Hunter High Score Circuit Awards will be presented during the Budweiser American Invitational on the evening of April 4 in Raymond James Stadium to the horses that have accumulated the most points throughout the three-week festival. Please inquire with the show office for performance times and entry fees to participate. Admission and parking is free. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online http://www.stadiumjumping.com/ or call Stadium Jumping at 813-253-2782 prior to the event. Please call the show grounds office number at 813-740-3500 for questions during the event. 

April 4: Hands-On History Tours for Youth Groups (ongoing monthly)
Held in Cracker Country, the 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. To make a reservation, please call 813-627-4225 on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit online http://www.crackercountry.org/, contact Susan Obarski by e-mail obarsks@doacs.state.fl.us or call 813-627-4225.

April 4: Discover the Past (ongoing monthly)
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. The event is held in Cracker Country on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except in February). It 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 necessary for this event. 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.

April 11-12: FPtHA Horse Show
The Florida Pinto Horse Association (FPtHA) will host a Pinto/Paint combined horse show with two judges in the Charlie Lykes Arena. Pinto points will count for FPtHA and Paint points for DPHC towards year-end awards. The two-day show begins at 8:30 a.m. each day. Please inquire with the show office for entry fees to participate in the show. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.fptha.com or contact Michele Franz at 407-349-8855 prior to the event. Please call the show grounds office number at 813-740-3500 for questions during the event. 

April 11-12: PCHA Non-Rated Horse Show
The Pinellas County Hunter Association (PCHA) hosts a two-day horse show featuring horses and riders competing in hunter, equitation and jumper classes at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Competition begins at 8 a.m. each day. There is no set end time; all show rings go until the last horse competes. Please inquire with the show office for entry fees to participate in the show. Admission and parking is free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.pcha-fl.org or call Michelle Drain at 727-546-7664 prior to the event. Please call the show grounds office number at 813-740-3500 for questions during the event.  

April 14-17, 20-23 & 27-30: Spring Ag Venture
The Florida State Fair Authority's Agribusiness Department, in conjunction with the Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension Service and the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, hosts these school tours for third grade students from public, private and home schools in Hillsborough County. Children get the chance to learn about the importance of agriculture in everyday life through these "Ag Venture" tours. From transplanting plants and squeezing oranges, to learning about farm animals first-hand, there's plenty to engage students in this Florida agriculture experience. Parking is free for school tours and visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. All school tours must be booked in advance prior to arrival. For more information on these tours, please contact the Agribusiness Department at 813-621-7821, ext. 387 or ext. 388.  

April 14: Town Hall Meeting
The Florida State Fair Authority (FSFA) will have a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Florida Center. Anyone wishing to express their opinions or comments regarding general operations at the Florida State Fairgrounds and/or the 2009 Florida State Fair held recently in February is encouraged to attend the meeting. 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. 

April 17: FQHA American Quarter Horse Show
This single day horse show is part of the 36th annual American Quarter Horse Show taking place in the Covered Ring and West Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Amateur, youth and novice riders can participate in green working hunter, green western pleasure, green hunter under saddle, green western riding and green trail classes. The show begins at 8 a.m. Entry fees and stall rental charges apply for participants. The event begins at 8 a.m. There is no set end time; all show rings go until the last horse competes. Please inquire with the show office for entry fees to participate in the show. Admission and parking is free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance.  For more information, visit http://www.fqha.net or call Peg Edmondson at 941-484-4687 prior to the event. Please call the show grounds office number at 813-740-3500 for questions during the event. 

April 18-19: Optimist Club Quarter Horse Show
The Optimist Club of Tampa hosts this two-day, split combined horse show that is part of the 36th annual American Quarter Horse Show taking place in the Covered Ring and West Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Amateur, youth and novice riders can participate in green working hunter, green western pleasure, green hunter under saddle, green western riding and green trail classes. The event begins at 8 a.m. each day. There is no set end time; all show rings go until the last horse competes. Please inquire with the show office for entry fees to participate in the show. Admission and parking is free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance.  For more information, visit http://www.fqha.net or call Peg Edmondson at 941-484-4687 prior to the event.  Please call the show grounds office number at 813-740-3500 for questions during the event. 

April 18-19: JAMfest National Championship
Held in the Expo Hall and Sweetbay Entertainment Hall, cheer and dance teams from ages 4-18 will take to the stage to compete for awards in their respective all-star and school divisions and for overall Grand Champion awards. Event hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. Admission is free for spectators; only participants and teams pay a registration fee. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus for each time a vehicle enters the grounds. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, visit online http://www.jamfest.com/ or call 502-266-6526. 

April 18-19: Suncoast Gun Show & Sale
One of Florida's premier gun shows returns to the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center. The Suncoast Gun Show and Sale features 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 Concealed Weapons/Firearms Safety Course fee 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 for each time a vehicle enters the grounds. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information, visit http://www.suncoastgunshows.com/ or call Suncoast Gun Collectors at 330-963-6964.

April 18-19: AHAF Spring Fling
The Arabian Horse Association of Florida (AHAF) will host a two-day, USEF-approved horse show featuring Arabian and Half-Arabian Rated "B" qualifying classes from Region 12. The event begins at 8 a.m. on both days in the Charlie Lykes Arena and the Pony Ring. Please inquire with the show office for entry fees to participate in the show. Admission and parking is free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online http://ahaflorida.org or contact John Gersch at 772-446-6168.

April 21: FSFA Board Meeting
The Florida State Fair Authority (FSFA) will have a Board Meeting starting at 1 p.m. in the Florida Center. Agenda items to be discussed will include old and new business; plus reports from the finance, agricultural 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. 

April 25: Pet Adoption Expo
Hundreds of animals are looking to find their new home at this one-day Pet Adoption Expo held in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center. The ASPCA, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Hillsborough County Animal Services and NMHP-HC team up to bring more than 30 animal rescue groups to the fairgrounds. 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 M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information, visit online http://www.humanesocietytampa.org/ or call Lisa Knight at 813-367-2078. 

April 25: Concert – Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band will perform in concert on Saturday, April 25 at the Ford Amphitheatre. The gates will open at 6:30 p.m. and show begins at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $136 and $96 for reserved seats and $36 for general admission lawn seats. Prices include sales tax and parking; all tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service and handling charges. 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. Tickets to all Ford Amphitheatre events can be purchased in person at the Ford Amphitheatre Box office or online exclusively at www.livenation.com. Tickets can also be purchased by phone by calling 877-598-8698. There will be a Box Office Service Charge added to the price of each ticket. All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. Rain or shine. For the latest concert information about Ford Amphitheatre events, visit online www.livenation.com or call 813-740-2446.

April 25-26: Buckler's Craft Fair
The Buckler's Craft Fair offers one-of-a-kind creations and handmade crafts from some of the finest artisans in the nation. Held in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall for two days, exhibitors will be selling unique items including country-primitive handmade furniture, homemade fudge, gourmet delights, home accessories, gold and silver jewelry, personalized items, pet merchandise 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 $6, children ages four to 12 enter for $1, and ages three and younger are admitted free. 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. 

April 25-26: Area "E" 4-H Horse Show
The Highlands County 4-H Youth Development group, in conjunction with the University of Florida IFAS Extension, will host the 2009 Area "E" 4-H Horse Show. Held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, the event brings together 4-H boys and girls from surrounding counties in Florida. Classes begin at 8 a.m. on both days. Entry fees and stall rental charges may 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://highlands.ifas.ufl.edu/ or call April Butler at 863-402-6540.

April 26: Carnival Tampa '09
This all-day Caribbean festival will feature music, island foods, masquerader dancers, arts and crafts, and a parade.  Enjoy the tropical sounds of a steel band, calypso, Indian Tassa drums, reggae, and much more. Held outdoors at the Fairgrounds, event hours are Sunday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Adult admission is $15 and children ages 12 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, visit online www.carnivaltampa.com or call 813-770-2449. 

April 26: Concert – Nickelback 
Nickelback with special guests, Seether and Saving Abel, will perform in concert on Sunday, April 26 at the Ford Amphitheatre. The gates will open at 6 p.m. and show begins at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $75 and $45 for reserved seats, $75 for PIT area, $29.50 for lawn area seating and $89 for a 4-pack of lawn tickets. Both the PIT area and lawn area are general admission; no specific area is assigned for seating. Prices include sales tax and parking; all tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service and handling charges. 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. Tickets to all Ford Amphitheatre events can be purchased in person at the Ford Amphitheatre Box office or online exclusively at http://www.livenation.com/. Tickets can also be purchased by phone by calling 877-598-8698. There will be a Box Office Service Charge added to the price of each ticket. All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. Rain or shine. For the latest concert information about Ford Amphitheatre events, visit online http://www.livenation.com/ or call 813-740-2446.

April 29-30: Florida Building & Facility Maintenance Show
Maintenance Shows of America will host a free, two-day trade show featuring products and services that serve the needs of facility management and maintenance professionals. Held in the Expo Hall, the event includes 18 free educational seminars addressing important issues that today's maintenance and repair operation professionals need to know on topics like energy, technology, regulatory compliance, predictive maintenance, emergency planning and management. The show hours Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To register online to attend this event, visit online https://www.expotracshows.com/maintenance/2009/florida/. Admission for this event is free and 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 http://fb-fm.com or call Gene Petre at 321-721-5111.

For more information on these and other events taking place at the Fairgrounds, please call the main office number at 813-621-7821 or visit www.floridastatefair.com and click on the Events Calendar.  Media are welcome at all events held at the Florida State Fairgrounds.  Media wishing to cover a Fairgrounds event should contact Denise Shreaves at 813-627-4314 or e-mail shreavd@doacs.state.fl.us.  To cover Ford Amphitheatre events only, please call David Harb with Live Nation at 813-600-1003.  Media should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance and check in with the security guard to notify the appropriate contact person. 

The Florida State Fair Authority (FSFA) is not responsible for any incorrect or misprinted information regarding events held on the Fairgrounds property which are not organized or managed by the FSFA.  The event organizer, not the FSFA, is solely responsible for the advertising and management of exhibitors, vendors, or sponsors participating at an event held at the Fairgrounds.  All scheduled times, prices, and any other advertised information is subject to change and/or cancel without notice.  
  
The Florida State Fair Authority is a non-profit organization which operates primarily from revenues generated from the annual State Fair and other ongoing operations during the year.  Presently, the FSFA does not receive any state tax appropriations from Hillsborough County, City of Tampa, nor the State of Florida.  The FSFA operates the Florida State Fairgrounds year-round in association with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson leads the Fair Authority Board, which oversees the Florida State Fairgrounds and the annual Florida State Fair.
 
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