FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

WEEK ONE HIGHLIGHTS AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIR

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 7, 2008.   The first week of the Florida State Fair is jam-packed with fun the whole family can enjoy.  Daily schedules and maps can be found at guest relations booths conveniently located near each entrance gate.  Plan your day and enjoy all of the free activities taking place throughout the Fair.  This is the only week that Glitz! – A Las Vegas Revue will be here at the Florida State Fair! 

Here are some new and special treats in store for visitors during the week of Feb. 7-12, 2008:

• Feb. 7-13: Glitz!- A Las Vegas Revue presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.  Limited engagement – one week only! This family-friendly musical production features live tributes to music legends including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Shania Twain and Madonna.

• Feb. 7-9: Blacksmiths World Championship begins at 9 a.m. on these days.

• Feb. 7-9: International Wine & Grape Juice Competition (20th anniversary), presented by Cabot Creamery, takes place in the Florida Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on these days.

• Feb. 8: Come to the 1st annual Florida State Fair Student Day Rally at Noon in the Ford Amphitheatre featuring guest appearance by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle, Chris Hovan.

• Feb. 8: Rummi TV broadcasts live from the Fair on Friday at the Autograph Lake House.  Meet Rummi the Parrot at 2 p.m. and live taping starts at 4 p.m. at the Autograph Lake House across from the Americraft Expo Hall. Children can join in the fun with Captain Dave and Rummi the Parrot and maybe even be a star on the show!

• Feb. 8-10:  Be one of a lucky few to get autographed Jack Daniels #7 Race Car memorabilia  and meet the Jack Daniels Girls.

• Feb. 9-10: Jousting Tournament around 6 p.m. on these days at the tent north of the Covered Ring arena.

• Feb. 9-10: Dueling Pianos perform 4 shows each on these days.

• Feb. 8 or Feb. 10: Try a Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce or sugar free coffee sample at entrance gate one facing Highway 301.

• Feb. 8 & Feb. 16:  Learn about Pfizer’s latest smoking cessation products and treatments at entrance gate one facing Highway 301.

• Circus Hollywood, presented by Southern Chevy Dealers, returns to dazzle audiences with multiple shows daily.

• See the world’s largest plasma TV from Panasonic by entrance gate one facing Highway 301.

• Cracker Country features new activities including a hands on farm site, saddlemaking, log cabin demonstrations, and swamp cabbage cooking, just to name a few.

• More than a dozen agricultural events including the fascinating Mooternity Ward, a new Farm to Fuel Exhibit presented by Fl. Dept. of Ag. & Consumer Services, and the Ag Venture interactive experience showcasing a beautiful, new mural painted by local artist Moses Garzon from Seffner, Florida. 

There is also free daily entertainment taking place throughout the Fair including performances by Lucy Angel, Hotel California, Dennis Lee, Tammy Ann Winn, Lloyd Mabrey, Adam D. Tucker Band, Spanish Lyric Theatre and the Live Prayer Gospel tent.  On the first weekend, the Bud Light Latin Dome and Budweiser American Lager Dome will be featuring live bands including Git R Dunz, Amberly Drive, Burn, Traveling North and Made of Hemp.

Don’t miss out on the ever popular animal shows including the Hollywood Racing Pigs, Kachunga Alligator Show, Sea Lion Splash, Welde’s Big Bear Show and much more!  Remember to pick up a daily schedule and map brochure found at all guest relations booths throughout the Fairgrounds and enjoy the 2008 Florida State Fair. 

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 / Cell (813) 477-3146