FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Spanish flavor, sights and sounds are in the air at the State Fair's new La Plaza Hispanic Village

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.   For the first time in its 104-year history, the Florida State Fair will showcase an array of authentic Spanish foods and entertainment in the inaugural year of the LA PLAZA Hispanic Village.  Foods, drinks and desserts include Colombian, Cuban, Mexican & Puerto Rican cuisines.  Visitors will also be able to shop for unique items such as hand-made clothing, Spanish jewelry, domino tables, musical instruments, and much more! Visitors can enjoy all the Hispanic entertainment free with a Fair gate admission ticket.

Spanish Lyric Theatre, a Tampa tradition since 1959, will perform three shows daily on the Bacardi Stage at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.  Spanish Lyric Theatre performances are cabaret style with colorful costumes, great singers and dancers in a fast-paced show.

Beginning on Thursday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m., couples dancing swing will take to the Winn Dixie Entertainment Stage in the Bud Light Latin Dome to compete in “Bailando para ser una Estrella/Dancing to be a Star”.  On Sunday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m., the competition continues to sizzle with couples dancing salsa.

Charytín Goyco from TeleFutura's Escándalo TV program will make a special appearance on Sunday, Feb. 10 during the BankAtlantic parade at Noon and immediately afterwards Charytín will be available for autographs and pictures at the Autograph House. 

Grammy-winner Lannie Battistini brings his Latin Jazz Quintet to perform on Thursday and Friday afternoons (Feb. 7, 8, 14 and 15).

Sit back and enjoy a Bacardi mojito or margarita while listening to the tropical sounds of Luis Alfonso & Jessica Castro performing three shows on Monday through Wednesday, Feb. 11-13.  Greg "DJ Muevete" from Salsa of St. Pete will be demonstrating some easy dance moves for all to learn in between sets.

During the second weekend on Feb. 15-17, stop by outside the Bud Light Latin Dome watch as Emilio Reyes, himself, rolls his authentic Dominican cigars presented by ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.  Meet Eden's Gate representative and model Vanessa Hoelsher at the cigar table. 

On Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. cheer for your favorite swing or salsa dance couple in the "Bailando para ser una Estrella” Swing & Salsa Dance Finals at 5 p.m. in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center.  Sponsored by VerizonFiOS, dancing couples will qualify to win more than $2,500 in prizes for the entire competition.  In the final round, the audience will get to choose the winner.  Once the Swing & Salsa dance competition concludes stay for the After Party with Miami artist "Mikael" singing a fusion of pop, salsa and reggaeton hits.

On Feb. 18, a dance group called Conjunto de Proyecciones Folkloricas "Recuerdos de mi Panama" will showcase their traditional Panama costumes in the BankAtlantic daily parade at Noon and immediately following at 1 p.m. the group will entertain audiences with two dance performances in the Bud Light Latin Dome.  At 5 p.m., don't miss a special performance from local youth organization, Taller Inter-Cultural Hispano-Americano (T.I.C.H) where children of all ages will represent various Latin countries through interpretive dances.   

For a more detailed list of foods and the Hispanic entertainment line-up with scheduled times, please visit http://floridastatefair.com/pdffiles/HispanicVillage_rackcard-2008Fair.pdf.  

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 ages 12 and older, $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