FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

COUNTRY GOLD TOUR™ SIGNED GUITAR BENEFITS YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE

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 12, 2008.   The Country Gold Tour™ 2008 performers have all signed a guitar that is being donated to the Florida State Fair.  The proceeds from the auctioned guitar will go to benefit youth in agriculture, 4-H, and the Future Farmers of America (FFA).  Autographs on the guitar include Leroy Van Dyke, Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius, Bobby Bare, Steve and Rudy Gatlin (The Gatlin Brothers), Narvel Felts, Ronnie Prophet, Moe Bandy, and T.G. Sheppard. The autographed guitar will be auctioned off by Leroy Van Dyke during the Noon concert on February 14 at the Florida State Fair in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall.

In 2006, Country Gold Tour™ initiated a fund-raising plan that has raised $54,885 (to date) with all of the proceeds benefiting youth in agriculture, 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA). No administrative costs are deducted from these proceeds.  The Florida State Fair reached third place out of all the fairs that have raised money for agriculture programs by this wonderful auction. The South Dakota State Fair has raised the most money at $11,000 and Colorado’s Montezuma County came in second at $9,000. Fairs all over the United States have been contributing in this auction year after year to meet the current amount of $54,885.

Vina Jean Banks, the Director of Agribusiness at the Florida State Fairgrounds, stated:

“We are so very pleased that the Country Gold Tour™ has chosen to include us in this great program.  The monies that have been raised from the auction of the guitars over the past years have benefited thousand of our youth exhibitors. It is such an exciting and fun event and we are delighted to be part of it.”

This is the third year that the Country Gold Tour™ has donated a guitar to the Florida State Fair. The guitar is considered a collector's item because the Country Gold Tour™ performers change each year.  Help raise money for youth in agriculture, 4-H, and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) by participating in this grand auction!  A concert admission ticket is required to enter to participate in the guitar auction.

Country Gold Tour™ will have two concert shows on February 14 at 12 and 4 p.m in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall.  Each concert requires a separate $10 admission ticket be purchased to enter in addition to the gate admission fee.  Country Gold Tour™ 2008 features Leroy Van Dyke, Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius, Bobby Bare, Steve and Rudy Gatlin (The Gatlin Brothers), Narvel Felts, Ronnie Prophet, Moe Bandy, and T.G. Sheppard. Country Gold Tour™ 2008 tickets can now be purchased in person at the Fair concert ticket window. You may also purchase concert tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com or at any Ticketmaster outlets up to the day of the concert.  Service charges apply at all Ticketmaster outlets and online.  Seating is reserved inside the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall and assigned on a first-come basis.  Rain or shine, the performance will go on as scheduled. 

On Feb. 12-14 (senior discount days), individuals ages 55 and older receive discounted gate admission for $6.  Regular gate admission prices are $10 for ages 12 and older, $5 for children ages six to 11 and free kids five and under.

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 kids 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

Paul Wilson: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Public Relations Counsel
WILSONMedia
Cell (727) 421-3297