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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OCTOBER 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
Press Contact: Ashleigh Csikos at 813-621-7821
[NEWS RELEASE] TAMPA, FL. – September 24, 2007. The fall season has arrived and so has a wide array of entertainment and fun for all. Enjoy our beautiful October weather at one of the many events taking place exclusively at the Florida State Fairgrounds adjacent to I-4 and U.S. Highway 301 in East Hillsborough County. A brief listing of the monthly events is provided below followed by a detailed event description.
Ongoing weekly every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: Cracker Country programs - Afternoons in the Country and Country Tea Time. Country Tea Time is for groups of five or more; reservations are required.
Ongoing monthly on the third Saturday of each month from March through December: Cracker Country’s Hands-On History Tours for Youth Groups
Oct. 5-7: Central Florida Hunter/Jumper Association Show
Oct. 6: Concert - Velvet Revolver with Alice in Chains
Oct. 6-7: SlamFest Custom Auto Show
Oct. 12-14: NSRA Southeast Nationals
Oct. 13: Blake High School Homecoming Dance
Oct. 13-14: 10th Annual dB Drag Racing Car Stereo World Finals
Oct. 13-14: Florida Pinto Horse Show
Oct. 18-21: Ferman 500 Mega Auto Sale
Oct. 19-20: Florida Walking Racking October Horse Show
Oct. 20: Concert - Alan Jackson with Brooks and Dunn
Oct. 20-21: Suncoast Gun Show & Sale
Oct. 20-21: SSMDTA Show
Oct. 23-31: Fall Ag Venture
Oct. 27: Guavaween Bus Shuttle Parking
Oct. 27: Rural Life Festival
Oct. 27: Haints, Legends & Tall Tales Storytelling
Oct. 27-28: Gem and Mineral Show
Oct. 27-28: PHCA Horse Show
Ongoing weekly: Cracker Country’s Afternoons in the Country
Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., patrons can re-live Florida’s rural past of the 1890s by exploring Cracker Country’s collection of turn-of-the-20th century public buildings, farm structures and homes. Guests will experience live costumed historical interpretations led by highly trained and skilled docent volunteers presented along with an audio history. Admission is $2 per person and includes the use of the audio history tour CD and player. Parking is free for this event; visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. Groups of 10 or more should make a reservation in advance by calling (813) 627-4225 on Monday through Friday during 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. business hours. For more information, logon to http://www.crackercountry.org/ or call (813) 627-4225.
Ongoing weekly: Country Tea Time at Cracker Country 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 between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Learn about this significant 19th century social ritual and take home a souvenir of your afternoon gathering. Price is $20 per person and includes admission to Afternoons in the Country. Parking is free for this event; visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. Groups must make a reservation in advance by calling (813) 627-4225 on Monday through Friday during 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. business hours. For more information, logon to http://www.crackercountry.org/ or call (813) 627-4225.
Ongoing monthly: Cracker Country’s Hands-On History Tours for Youth Groups On the third Saturday of each month occurring from March through December, Cracker Country hosts these special hands-on tours for youth groups to learn about rural Florida history. Children will experience what life would have been like for someone their age living in the late 1890s. The two-hour tours begin at 10:00 a.m. and pre-registration is required with a 10-person minimum per group. Tour admission is $4.50 per person and one chaperone is admitted free for every 10 paid admissions. Parking is free for these tours; visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. Groups should register in advance by calling (813) 627-4225 on Monday through Friday during 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. business hours. For more information, logon to http://www.crackercountry.org/ or call (813) 627-4225. Oct. 5-7: Central Florida Hunter/Jumper Association Show The CFHJA will showcase horses competing in Marshall & Sterling Hunter Classics and Marshall & Sterling Child and Adult Jumper Classics. This USEF Rated “A” and USEF Jumper Rated 2 event will be held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center beginning at 8 a.m. each 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, logon to http://www.cfhja.com/ or call Dani Becker at (813) 571-0111. Oct. 6: Concert - Velvet Revolver with Alice in Chains Live Nation presents Velvet Revolver and Alice in Chains, with special guest Sparta, performing on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Ford Amphitheatre. Ticket prices are $61 for PIT level/general admission, $41 to 55.50 for reserved seating, $31 for lawn seating or a four-pack of lawn tickets for $75 plus applicable fees.. Prices include sales tax and parking; all tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service and handling charges. There may be a Ticketmaster Fee or a Box Office Service Charge added to the price of each ticket. 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 fans with hearing disabilities call TDD# 800-943-4327. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via U.S. Hwy. 301 or the MLK, Jr. Blvd. entrance. Only guests with VIP parking should enter through Orient Road. For the latest concert information, logon to http://www.livenation.com/ or call (813) 740-2446. Oct. 6-7: SlamFest Custom Auto Show Mini Madness presents the 16th annual SlamFest, Florida’s largest custom car show featuring over 1,400 custom vehicles on display at the Expo Hall and throughout the Fairgrounds. Show hours are Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Activities include a burnout competition, vendors, and a bikini contest. Thousands of dollars in giveaways and prizes will be awarded to Best of Show for import car, domestic car, and in the mini and full size truck/SUV categories. Admission is $15 per person each day; children 12 and under are free. Vehicle registration is $50 each on the day of show (pre-register for $40 by Sept. 28). Parking is $5 for cars and $10 for RVs and buses. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, call the SlamFest hotline at (941) 366-9123 or logon to http://www.minimadness.com/ to download the vehicle or vendor entry form. Oct. 12-14: NSRA Southeast Nationals This spectacular three day event features over 1,600 pre-1978 specialty vehicles from all over the Southeastern United States on display for public viewing. Activities will include kids and adult games, a special Women’s World area with arts and crafts and antiques from collectors, model car display, vintage automobile swap meet, lip sync contest, a non-denominational church service held on Sunday, and even a chance to win a brand-new 2007 Chevy HHR. More than 100 manufacturers and dealers of specialty automotive equipment will be displaying and selling their products, accessories and supplies. Event hours are Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $3 for children ages six to 12, and free for children under the age of six when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available only at the event. A $2.00 discount off admission is available for seniors over 60, military personnel with proper ID, and NSRA members with a membership card. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the MLK, Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information, logon to http://www.nsra-usa.com/southeast.htm or call NSRA at (901) 452-4030. Oct. 13: Blake High School Homecoming Dance Blake High School’s 2007 Homecoming will be held in the Florida Center and Botanical Gardens. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and entry is exclusive to Blake High School students. Tickets are $60 per person and parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the MLK, Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information, call Norah Mohorter at (813) 272-3422. Oct. 13-14: dB Drag Racing World Finals The 10th annual dB Drag Racing World Finals will be held in the Expo Hall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days. This professionally orchestrated expo incorporates a car stereo show and competition with live internet broadcast, video displays, light towers, and vendor booths. Extreme vehicles with walls of woofers and thousands of watts of power go head-to-head to see who really has the loudest car stereo system. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages five to 12, and free for children under five. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, logon to http://www.dbdragracing.com/ or call Celise Harris at 800-655-0010. Oct. 13-14: Florida Pinto Horse Show Florida Pinto Horse Association, Inc. (FPtHA) hosts this two-day, two judge combined PtHA/APHA horse show held in the Covered Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Competition begins at 8:30 a.m. both days. Entry fees may apply for participants. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, logon to http://www.fptha.com/ or call Kathryn Kope at (321)784-4967, or Jenny LaGrange at (407) 977-1882. Oct. 18-21: Ferman 500 Mega Auto Sale Ferman Automotive hosts an exclusive, four-day mega auto sale taking place at the Florida State Fairgrounds on Thursday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until sunset each evening. Auto shoppers can select from hundreds of specially priced, pre-owned vehicles with credit union representatives on-hand for fast-lane financing. Admission and parking are free for this event, compliments of Ferman Automotive. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the MLK, Jr. Blvd. entrance for this event. For more information, e-mail Bobby Huerta at bhuerta@fermanmail.net or call (813) 695-3356. Oct. 19-20: Florida Walking Racking Horse Show FWRHA hosts this two-day horse show held in the Charles Lykes Arena starting daily at 10 a.m. Entry fees may apply for participants. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For a detailed schedule or other information, logon to http://www.fwrha.org/ or call Darren Gray at (407) 469-2561. Oct. 20: Concert: Alan Jackson with Brooks and Dunn Alan Jackson with Brooks and Dunn headline this country spectacular including special guests Catherine Britt and Jake Owen on Saturday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. performing at the Ford Amphitheatre. Ticket prices are $76.25 and $56.25 for reserved seats and $33.75 for general admission lawn seats. Prices include sales tax and parking; all tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service and handling charges. There may be a Ticketmaster Fee or a Box Office Service Charge added to the price of each ticket. 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 fans with hearing disabilities call TDD# 800-943-4327. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via U.S. Hwy. 301 or the MLK, Jr. Blvd. entrance. Only guests with VIP parking should enter through Orient Road. For the latest concert information, go online to http://www.livenation.com/ or call (813) 740-2446. Oct. 20-21 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. Concealed weapons classes cost $40 and will be held both days at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Appointments are not needed for these classes, nor are firearms. Show hours are Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, children 12 and younger are admitted free and must be accompanied by an adult. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or Bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the MLK, Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information, logon to http://www.suncoastgunshows.com/ or call Suncoast Gun Collectors at (330) 963-6964. Oct. 20-21: Sunshine State Mounted Drill Team (SSMDTA) Show Spectators are welcome to stop by the Covered Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center to check out the Sunshine State Mounted Drill Team. These talented riders and horses will amaze people with their precision moves coordinated to music. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, call Melodee Williams at (941) 322-1151. Oct. 23-31 Fall Ag Venture The Florida State Fair Authority’s Agribusiness Department, in addition with the Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension Service and the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, will provide these interactive school tours held at the Fairgrounds for third grade students from Hillsborough County. Ag Venture is a hands-on learning experience designed to teach third graders about the importance of agriculture and to help them develop an understanding and appreciation of where their food comes from. Ag Venture is a private event; reservations are required and will be made on a first come, first serve basis. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For additional information, logon to http://www.ag-venture.com/ or call Vina Jean Banks at (813) 621-7821.
Oct. 27: Guavaween Bus Shuttle Parking
Guavaween is an annual street and music festival held in Ybor City in Tampa featuring musical stages with national headline talent, day and night parades, and costume contests. The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce is proud to offer additional parking and shuttle service at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Shuttle service will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning for daily activities and continue all day long. The last shuttle will depart the Fairgrounds at 1 a.m. to Ybor City and the last shuttle will return to the Fairgrounds from Ybor City at 3 a.m. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For additional information, logon to http://www.cc-events.org/ or call the Event Hotline at (813) 242-4828. Oct. 27: Rural Life Festival This special, one-day event will focus on the rhythm of life in 1890s rural Florida, including the agricultural labors that drew people together and the social activities that surrounded these work days. Festival hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include demonstrations of how people lived and worked over 100 years ago, visits to historic buildings, games for all ages, and a scarecrow competition. Cracker Country is looking for the best home-made historic scarecrows and will award prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place. All entries will be displayed during the Rural Life Festival, plus the 1st and 2nd place winners will be displayed in our historic gardens in the coming year. The scarecrow entry fee is $5 per entry. Admission to the Rural Life Festival is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and children ages six to 12, and free for children 5 and under. Parking is free for this event; visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For scarecrow competition rules and entry forms, please call (813) 627-4225 or e-mail Dan Marshall at marshad2@doacs.state.fl.us.
Oct. 27: Haints, Legends & Tall Tales Storytelling
Bring the family to hear four traditional Florida folk tales and enjoy an evening tour of Cracker Country. Each tour is approximately 45 minutes and begins at 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. Admission for the event costs $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and children ages six to 12, and free for children 5 and under. Combo tickets are available for both the Rural Life Festival and Storytelling Events. Ticket prices are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and children ages six to 12; free for children 5 and under. Parking is free for this event; visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, logon to http://www.crackercountry.org/ or call (813) 627-4225.
Oct. 27-28: Gem and Mineral Show
The Tampa Bay Mineral and Science Club hosts its 48th annual Gem and Mineral Show for two days at the Entertainment Hall. Show hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Events include jewelry making classes, exhibits of Florida minerals and fossils, silent auction, interactive children’s activities, unique jewelry gifts, and many displays of crystals, minerals, gems, Native American crafts, plus much more. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students, and free for children under the age of 12 with an adult. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or Bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the MLK, Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information, call Jan or Fred Hendershot at (813) 671-9556. Oct. 27-28: PHCA Non-Rated Halloween Horse Show The Pinellas County Hunter Association (PCHA) hosts this two-day, non-rated Horse Show featuring horses and riders competing in Hunter, Equitation and Jumper classes at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Competition begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday for Hunter and Equitation classes; Jumper classes are held at 9 a.m. on Saturday only. There is no set end time; all show rings go until the last horse competes. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. To view a schedule of events and entry fees, logon to http://www.pcha-fl.org/. For more information, please e-mail Michelle Drain at pchashowoffice@aol.com or call (727)546-7664.
For more information on these and other events taking place at the Fairgrounds, please call (813) 621-7821; check the Fairgrounds Info Line at (813) 622-7275; or log on to http://www.floridastatefair.com/ and click on Calendar of Events. Media are welcome at all events held at the Florida State Fairgrounds. To cover general Fairgrounds events, please contact Ashleigh Csikos at (813) 621-7821 or e-mail csikosa@doacs.state.fl.us. To cover Ford Amphitheatre events, please contact David Harb with Live Nation at (813) 600-1003. Media wishing to cover an event 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 operates the Florida State Fairgrounds 365 days a year, in association with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson leads the Fair Authority, which oversees the Florida State Fairgrounds and the annual Florida State Fair.
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