Feb. 1-3: American Quarter Horse Show
This pre-Fair equestrian event takes place in the Covered Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Show hours vary by 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, call 813-740-3500.

Feb. 2-3: Great Train Expo
The Great Train Expo is America's largest traveling model train show featuring operating model railroads, more than 30  dealers and collectors, an enormous hobby marketplace, hands-on exhibits, demonstrations and workshops, and much more. Held in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center, event hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Adult admission is $7 per person and children under 12 enter free. 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, visit http://www.greattrainexpo.com/ or call Bill Grove at 630-383-2017.

Feb. 7-18: Florida State Fair
The 104th annual Florida State Fair is a salute to the state's best in the agriculture and equestrian industry including an abundance of shows, music, rides, food, exhibits, competitions, and shopping for 12 consecutive days. Excitement is in the air all over the fairgrounds with plenty of free entertainment included with admission. Save money when you buy admission tickets, armbands or ride tickets in advance. The last day to purchase advance discount offers online at http://www.floridastatefair.net/ is Jan. 29 to ensure order delivery prior to the Fair. Purchase discount admission tickets only (not armbands or ride tickets) at participating Sweetbay Supermarkets through Feb. 6. Once the Fair begins, regular gate admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children ages six to eleven, and kids five and under enter free with a complimentary ticket available at the Fair ticket window upon arrival. Parking is free; gates open daily at 9 a.m. and closing time varies by the day of the week. For more information, call 800-345-3247 or visit http://www.floridastatefair.com/.

Feb. 22-23: TBWG Spring Expo
Held in the Expo Hall and the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center, this annual trade-only event hosted by the Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers will feature hundreds of exhibitors showcasing products from every facet of the horticultural business. Show hours in the Expo Hall are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The annual booth auction will take place Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The University of Florida Tree and Landscape Short Course will be held in the Special Events Center on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Registration fee for the short course includes admission to the Spring Expo. Register for the short course online at http://prohort.ifas.ufl.edu/index.htm or call 813-744-5519 ext. 103. Admission is $12 per person on-site or $10 for pre-registration by Feb. 12. Parking is $5 per car and $10 per RV or bus. Attendees should enter the Fairgrounds via U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, visit www.tbwg.org or contact Tammy Gould at 813-655-1914. 

Feb. 23-24: SouthEast Hunter Jumper Show
Held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, this two-day horse show will feature various Hunter and Jumper competitions. 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.sehj.com or call the show office at 352-797-7469.  

Feb. 29-March 2: Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo & Boat Show 
The 17th annual Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo and Boat Show, hosted by Frank Sargeant, is Florida’s largest outdoors family event featuring the latest in fishing and hunting gear, boats, and a variety of outdoor products and services held in the Expo and Entertainment Hall. Along with a kid’s fishing derby, there will be numerous demonstrations and seminars throughout each day. Show hours are Friday 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free on Friday only; on Saturday and Sunday admission is $7 for adults ages 13 and older, $3 for children ages four to 12, and free for ages three and younger. Parking is $5 per car and $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, visit http://www.tbo.com/ and search for keyword: Outdoors Expo, or call Fran Solomon at 813-259-7376.

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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 visit http://www.floridastatefair.com/ and click on the Calendar of Events.  

Media are welcome at all events held at the Florida State Fairgrounds. To cover general Fairgrounds events, please contact Denise Shreaves directly 813-627-4314 or e-mail shreavd@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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