FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

FEB. 13-18: WEEK TWO 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 12, 2008.  A wide array of events are scheduled to take place during the final week of the Fair.  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 from Wednesday, Feb. 13 to Monday, Feb. 18.  Headline entertainment, attractions and performances are free with Fair gate admission ticket, except for Country Gold Tour concert, which requires a separate concert ticket be purchased to enter.

Here are some interesting things to see and do during the final week of the Fair:

• Feb. 13:  see the last day of GLITZ! - A Las Vegas Revue, presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.
• Feb. 13-14: Bull Riding and Barrel Racing, presented by Dodge, at 2 & 7 p.m.
• Feb. 14: Country Gold Tour concert at 12 and 4 p.m. - $10 each concert ticket plus gate admission ticket required.
• Feb. 15: FCW Wrestling matches at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.  Buffalo Wild Wings will be sampling wings during both matches.
• Feb. 15-17: Emilio Reyes Cigar Rolling demonstrations in LA PLAZA Hispanic Village from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Presented by ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, meet Eden’s Gate Representative and Model Vanessa Hoelsher.
• Feb. 15: Widely-known TV Chef Jon Ashton will be demonstrating on how to make “Three-A-Day” meals in the Ag Hall of Fame building sponsored by Dairy Farmers, Inc.
• Feb. 16: Learn about Pfizer’s latest smoking cessation products and treatments at entrance gate one facing Highway 301.
• Feb. 16: Artist Nancy Blauers will sign limited edition posters of artwork featured on the newly redesigned Florida manatee license plate (while supplies last) in the Red Barn presented by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Signing sessions are at 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m.  Blauers also designs products depicting the “Margaritaville lifestyle” for Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurants and stores.
• Feb. 16-17:  Bill “Sauce Boss” Wharton cooks up gumbo and sings the Florida Blues in the Bud Light Latin Dome at 1 and 3 p.m.
• Feb. 17: Swing & Salsa Dance Showdown Finals/ Bailando para ser una Estrella at 5 p.m. in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center building.
• Feb. 17: Chef Harry, the creator and host of the popular PBS show “Chef Harry and Friends,” will be doing cooking demonstrations in the Ag Hall of Fame building.
• Feb. 18: Sunshine Skate 2008 Florida State Roller Derby Championship from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

In addition to the daily highlighted events there will plenty of other shows and activities to enjoy.

• Circus Hollywood, presented by Southern Chevy Dealers, returns to dazzle audiences with multiple shows daily.  
• 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 where you may find a calf being born, 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.
• Free daily 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.  The Bud Light Latin Dome and Budweiser American Lager Dome will be featuring live bands on Friday through Sunday evenings including Offshore Riot, Cope, Dos Locos, and Kool Vibes.
• And, 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 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