FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRIST RETURNS AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT STATE FAIR GOVERNOR’S DAY LUNCHEON

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

[NEWS RELEASE] TAMPA, FL. — February 5, 2008.   Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson is announcing that Governor Charlie Crist will be the keynote speaker at the Florida State Fair Governor’s Day Luncheon on Mon., Feb.11 during the 104th annual Florida State Fair. Crist previously spoke at the Governor’s Day Luncheon last year and will be returning to address attendees once again. The luncheon is scheduled to start at Noon in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center.

Bronson is hosting the luncheon and Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.  CFO Sink calls Thonotosassa her home but now resides in both Thonotosassa and Tallahassee since her election as CFO in 2006. CFO Sink will be introducing the speakers as well as acknowledging the many dignitaries expected to attend. Bronson will also be introducing the “Champion of Champions” winners from last year’s state fair.

Finally, Lori Clapp, the president of the Tampa Metro Civitan Club will announce the Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Tampa’s highest honor for community involvement. The award recipient’s name has not yet been released and attendees will learn of his/her selection during the luncheon. The Outstanding Citizen will join a list of Tampa leaders dating back to 1927 when the first award was given.

The luncheon, presented by Schiff Law Group, is expected to draw more than 800 guests including numerous Florida business, civic and community leaders and dignitaries.  All reservations and tickets for the luncheon are issued in advance.  News media wishing to cover the event must have Fair-issued working press badges and vehicle parking passes. For safety and security reasons, all vehicles entering the fairgrounds are subject to search, so please allow adequate time.

All acts, concerts, scheduled times, exhibitors, prices, and other advertised events are subject to change and/or cancel without notice.  Fair gate admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages six to 11; and free for children five and younger.  NO RE-ENTRY is permitted without an admission ticket.  Gates open daily at 9 a.m. and parking is free during the 12 days of the Fair. 

The Florida State Fairgrounds is located just seven miles east of downtown Tampa, with easy access via I-75, I-4, U.S. Highway 301, Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, and Orient Road.  For more information about the 2008 Florida State Fair, call toll-free (800) 345-FAIR or (813) 621-7821, visit http://www.floridastatefair.com/ or http://myspace.com/floridastatefair.

The 104th annual Florida State Fair will take place on February 7-18, 2008.  The Florida State Fair – always in Tampa and always in February – is organized by the Florida State Fair Authority under the leadership of 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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For media inquiries, please contact:
Denise Shreaves:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  
Manager of Marketing & Public Relations
Florida State Fair Authority
Phone (813) 627-4314 / Cell (813) 732-0141
 
OR

Vince Caruso:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Marketing Director 
Florida State Fair Authority
Phone (813) 627-4222