FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SHRINERS TREATING SPECIAL CHILDREN TO A
FREE DAY AT THE 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. — January 21, 2008.  Underprivileged and special needs children will be treated to a free day at the Florida State Fair thanks to the generosity of Egypt Shriners (the Tampa Chapter of Shriners of North America) and the Florida State Fair Authority.  Shriner’s Day will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds.  Shriners will be at the Fair wearing their distinctive, red ‘Fezzes’ early at 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning to prepare for the arrival of the children.

The children will be admitted at no charge courtesy of the Florida State Fair; and in conjunction with ride operators, the Fair will open the Midway early to treat the children to rides.  Lunch will include hot dogs and hot dog buns provided by Groscurth and Butterkrust (the Official Bakery of the Florida State Fair). Netterfield Concessions will also treat the children to a Fair favorite - cotton candy. Pepsi Bottling Group and Boston Culinary Group will be providing ice-cold drinks.

Joe Osborne, High Priest and Prophet of Egypt Shriners and one of the Shriner’s Day event planners, stated that: “We are all about kids. We would like to give kids who might not get to go to the Fair the opportunity to do so.”

Egypt Shriners and the Florida State Fair have been partnering together for roughly 100 years. Shriners of North America was formed all the way back in 1872 and has been involved with philanthropic work since 1888. The Florida State Fair started holding Shriner’s Day a few years after its inaugural year in 1904. This year, Egypt Shriners sent invitations to about 160 centers for children with special needs inviting them to participate in Shriner’s Day. Those invited have physical or developmental disabilities that may prevent them from otherwise coming to the Fair.

As in previous years, Mason Dixon and Bill Connelly from Q105 radio station have also invited about 400 underprivileged children from the Tampa Bay area to enjoy the Shriner’s Day festivities. Organizers expect about 3,500 children at the Fair for Shriner’s Day between five to 13 years of age.

The Florida State Fair Authority would like to thank all of its contributing partners that enable this special day to occur for Shriner’s children.  Shriner’s Day encompasses the mission of the Florida State Fair Authority which includes creating positive entertainment experiences through the annual Florida State Fair and to maintain a commitment to agriculture, education and community service. The Florida State Fair looks forward to hosting Shriner’s Day on February 13, 2008.

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