JUNE 2008 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/
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN JUNE AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS
[NEWS RELEASE] TAMPA, FL. - May 14, 2008. Summer is on the horizon with a variety of entertaining indoor and outdoor events taking place on the Fairgrounds property adjacent to I-4 and U.S. Highway 301 in eastern Hillsborough County. A brief listing of the monthly events is provided followed by a detailed event description.
- Ongoing weekly through December - Cracker Country programs: Afternoons in the Country and Country Tea Time
- Ongoing monthly on the third Saturday and weekly in June: Cracker Country's Hands-On History Tours for Youth Groups
- Ongoing weekly on Tuesday evenings: 4-H Dog Training Classes
- June 4-6: Summer Fun Horse Show
- June 7-8: Suncoast Gun Show & Sale
- June 8: Concert - Stevie Nicks
- June 14-15: Tampa All Novice Quarter Horse Show
- June 21-22: PCHA Non-Rated Horse Show
- June 28: Concert - Toby Keith with Montgomery Gentry
- June 28: FWRHA Horse Show
Ongoing weekly: Cracker Country's Afternoons in the Country
Visitors can relive 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 every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. 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 business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cracker Country is closed on all major holidays. For more information, visit online 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 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. Price is $20 per person and includes admission to Afternoons in the Country. The tea is approximately one hour and is by reservation only. Please call 813-627-4225 to make a reservation on Monday through Friday during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free for this event; visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. Cracker Country is closed on all major holidays. For more information, visit online http://www.crackercountry.org/ or call 813-627-4225.
Ongoing monthly on the third Saturday and weekly in June: Cracker Country's Hands-On History Tours for Youth Groups
If you are looking for an educational field trip for a summer camp or daycare youth group, consider a tour to Cracker Country. Kids can participate in a unique experience and relive life as a Florida pioneer through these summer tours. Children will learn what life would have been like for someone their age living in the late 1890s through hands-on activities including churning butter, hand washing clothes, or even learning an 1898 school lesson. These two-hour tours are offered during the month of June only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday starting at 9 a.m. On the third Saturday of each month through December, the two-hour tour begins at 10 a.m. The tour cost is $4.50 per person and one chaperone is admitted free for every 10 paid admissions. Reservations are required in advance with a 10-person minimum per group. The number of reservations is limited, so reserve a spot now before openings fill up. For reservations, e-mail Linda Mahoney at mahonel@doacs.state.fl.us or call 813-627-4225 on Monday through Friday during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free for these tours; visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online http://www.crackercountry.org/ or call 813-627-4225.
Ongoing weekly on Tuesday evenings: 4-H Dog Training Classes
Every Tuesday evening, the Hillsborough County 4-H Dog Project holds dog training classes for 4-H members at 6:30 p.m. in the Charlie Lykes Arena. Immediately following at 7:30 p.m., there are adult and children dog training classes in conformation and obedience. Please inquire in advance for class pricing and building location for each as it may vary by week. Parking is free for these classes; visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. 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. For more information on the 4-H Dog Project training classes, contact Sally Alford Manning by e-mail horsepny@tampabay.rr.com. For more information on the adult/children training classes, contact Teresa Gimbut by e-mail tgimbut@yahoo.com or call 813-672-2095.
June 4-6: Summer Fun Horse Show
UPHA Chapter 16 Inc. presents a three-day, USEF-rule abiding horse show open to many breed classes. Entry fees vary by class for qualifying, academy, and stake/championship classes. Please check with the show office for show times for each day. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Participants and visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information on entry and stall fees, visit online www.avalonstables.com/sumfun3.pdf or call Pam Roush at 813-765-7162.
June 7-8: Suncoast Gun Show & Sale
One of Florida's premier gun shows returns to the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center with popular items for the 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 MLK, Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information, visit http://www.suncoastgunshows.com/ or call 330-963-6964.
June 8: Concert - Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks will perform at the Ford Amphitheatre on Sunday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $131, $81, $61, $41 and $31 for reserved seating only. The lawn is closed for this concert. Prices include sales tax and parking; a Ticketmaster fee or a Box Office service and handling charge may be 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 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.livenation.com/ or call the Ford Amphitheatre at 813-740-2446.
June 14-15: Tampa All Novice Quarter Horse Show
FQHA hosts a two-day, AQHA approved all novice horse show in the Charlie Lykes Arena and Covered Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. AQHA Professional Horsemen will conduct clinics at 8 a.m. each day with classes at 1 p.m. 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.fqha.net/ or call Peg Edmondson at 941-484-4687.
June 21-22: PCHA Non-Rated Horse Show
The Pinellas County Hunter Association (PCHA) will host a two-day, non-rated horse show featuring horses and riders competing in both hunter and jumper classes at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Entry fees and stall rental charges apply for participants. Please check with the show office for show times for each day. 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.pcha-fl.org/; e-mail pchashowoffice@aol.com or call Michelle Drain at 727-546-7664.
June 28: Concert - Toby Keith with Montgomery Gentry
Toby Keith and Montgomery Gentry will perform at the Ford Amphitheatre on Saturday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $73.75 and $49.75 for reserved seating or $34.50 for general admission lawn seating. Prices include sales tax and parking; a Ticketmaster fee or a Box Office service and handling charge may be 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 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.livenation.com/ or call the Ford Amphitheatre at 813-740-2446.
June 28: FWRHA Horse Show
The Florida Walking and Racking Horse Association (FWRHA) will host classes for all levels of riders with Tennessee Walking, Racking and Spotted Saddle horses in the Covered Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Please inquire with the show office for show times and entry fees to participate. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online http://www.fwrha.org/ or call Toni Specht at 407-469-2561 ext. 202.
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. 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, exhibitors, prices and other advertised events are 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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