FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

ENJOY MORE THAN A DOZEN AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
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. — January 23, 2008.  Don’t miss the variety of agricultural events and livestock-related activities at this year’s Florida State Fair taking place February 7-18, 2008.  The options are endless in and around the Charlie Lykes Arena presented by Dodge, the Ag Hall of Fame building and the Ag Venture building with something to interest everyone from tots to grandparents!  And it’s all FREE with your gate admission ticket.

Ag Hall of Fame (Daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) – View the lives and achievements of former Ag Hall of Fame inductees with special video presentations about their contributions to Florida agriculture.  Relive their accomplishments and learn how this state’s agricultural business has literally “grown!”

Ag Venture (Daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) – It’s an all new “Ag Venture” location! Don’t miss the new agricultural mural that surrounds the inside of the new building. Learn about agriculture the “hands-on” way! Touch, taste and feel Florida’s agriculture by making butter, making a seed necklace, play the “Beefo” bingo game, taste oranges and learn about hydroponics. It’s an educational experience that’s loads of fun, too! 

“Ask Me” Booth (Various times daily) – Get up-close and personal with the fine young folks who work long and hard to show their animals at the State Fair.  These youngsters are sure to impress many Fair visitors as they answer questions with youthful expertise and “show-off” their animals.   

Cooking Demonstrations featuring Florida Commodities (Daily at 10 a.m., Noon, and 2 p.m.)  – In the Ag Hall of Fame building, folks will have a chance to experience the creative ways to cook our state’s diverse agriculture products. Various chefs will highlight a different commodity each day – including Florida citrus, strawberries, honey, poultry and beef – with cooking demonstrations and recipes that allow visitors to come away with a greater appreciation of what makes our state great!  For more information about Florida fruits and vegetables, visit http://www.florida-agriculture.com/.
 
Hay Bale Decorating Contest (Daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) – Youth from 4-H and FFA transform simple bales of hay into inspired creations in this State Fair competition.  Visitors will be amazed at the imaginative and innovative ways these Florida youngsters creatively dress up a round bale of hay.

Insect Safari (Daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) – Visitors will learn about the metamorphosis of insects with interesting names like Ant Lion and Zebra Swallowtail.  There will be hands-on activities such as being able to scoop out an ant lion larvae and measure it.  This exciting exhibit will be on display in the Ag Hall of Fame building located on the south side of the fairgrounds. 

Milk a Cow (Daily 10 a.m., Noon, 2, 4 & 6 p.m.) – Calling all “city slickers” – it’s a chance to hand milk a cow and earn a ribbon! Up for the challenge? Visit the Salute to Ag tent, and just for trying, each participant will receive an “I milked a cow” ribbon.

Milking Parlor (Daily 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3, 5 & 7 p.m.) – Here’s where visitors can see how the pros do it. Cows will be milked several times a day at the Fair’s milking parlor located in the Charlie Lykes Arena building, presented by Dodge. 
 
Mooternity Ward, presented by Dairy Farmers, Inc. (Daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) – A MOO-ving experience is in store when many cows are ready to deliver during the Fair and spectators have a good chance of witnessing the miracle of birth.  The mothers-to-be will be comfortably housed in the Salute to Agriculture tent, on a raised platform so it’s easier to see this incredible sight.  A sow and her piglets will be found close by inside the building, along with may other farm animals. 
  
Photo Design Contest (Daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) – Share in the memories as FFA and 4-H members display their fondest moments of the Florida State Fair in the Agricultural Photo Design Contest.  Nothing captures memories like a photo, and now these livestock exhibitors have a chance to display the artistic side of exhibiting an animal at the Fair. 

Purebred Dog Exhibition (Daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) – Thinking of getting a purebred?  Get to know a wide variety of purebred dogs and visit with their owners in the Purebred Dog Tent behind the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center building.  Dazzling police canine demonstrations will take place periodically throughout the day.  Additionally, see man’s best friend and talented kids participate in the 4-H Youth Dog Show on Feb. 9 in the Covered Ring Arena and on Feb. 10 in the Charlie Lykes Arena presented by Dodge .

Salute to Ag Tent, presented by Dairy Farmers, Inc. (Daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) – Watch as baby calves are bottle-fed, corn gets ground and chicks get cuddled.  All this and more will take place in the Salute to Agriculture Tent, located adjacent to the Ag Hall of Fame building.

You Be The Judge (Various times daily) – Throughout the livestock area, there will be “You Be The Judge” displays at each of the show rings, informing visitors what the judges take into consideration when assessing a ring full of animals.  After learning the criteria, fairgoers too can judge who should win!

For your health and safety, the Florida State Fair asks everyone to wash his or her hands before leaving the restrooms, animal areas and barns, especially before eating.

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