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Rides, Elvis Impersonators, Fried Food: Ah, The Fair!

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 3, 2009

TAMPA - It's not just Midway rides hurtling thrill seekers through the air at breakneck speeds, although there are more than 100 of those.

It's not only exhibits of pigs, bunnies, sheep, goats and cows courtesy of middle and high school FFA and 4H clubs, although they certainly abound.

It's not simply the opportunity to gorge on forbidden foods such as Italian sausage sandwiches, cotton candy and walking tacos, either. Did we mention this year they've added chocolate-covered bacon?

And it's not just a chance to see some Vegas-style entertainment at a fraction of Vegas prices.

It's being able to do all of this in one location that attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the Florida State Fair each year, said Paul Wilson of Wilson Media, which handles publicity for the fair.

Capitalizing on Sunday's Super Bowl in Tampa, the theme of this year's fair is Touchdown Tampa Bay and will include the Vegas-style show, "Blitz, A Tribute to Halftime Shows," to attract visitors who haven't yet gotten their fill of football. The fair opens Thursday and runs through Feb. 16.

"I think we're going to see the afterglow from the Super Bowl," Wilson said. "People are going to be looking for some fun on a community level, something that's affordable."

And, at $10 for the adult entry fee and $25 for an all-you-can-ride armband, Wilson said the cost isn't a deterrent during these hard economic times.

"It's still the best bargain around," he said.

Wilson describes the state fair as the "debutante ball for agricultural services." Last year, more than 480,000 people attended during the fair's 12-day run, the fourth-largest attendance in the fair's 105-year history. And it's one of the biggest state fairs in the country, comparable to fairs held in Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

"It's a big party on multiple levels," Wilson said. "There is something for everyone. You can get your teeth whitened. You can check with the Florida Department of Financial Services to see if you have any unclaimed assets. And you can swim with live sharks in a shark tank."

Last year, his staff asked fair-goers their reasons for visiting the state fair. He said the top reasons were family fun and food.

Residents won't be disappointed this year on that score, he said. In addition to the usual favorite fair fare, Lakeland resident Cindy Griffen of Mavric's Chocolate Barn will introduce chocolate-dipped bacon to go along with her Oreos, strawberries and pretzels.

"They're really very good," Wilson said, "the perfect combination of sweet and salty."

The second most popular reason for visiting the fair was the rides and entertainment. This year's fair has that covered as well. Back by popular demand is the Elvis Extravaganza Impersonator National Finals Feb. 14 and 15, featuring the top Elvis Presley impersonators from around the country.

For the past seven years, Brandon resident Brigitte Mailahn and her daughter, Melanie, have been among the first in line at the fairgrounds opening day.

The tradition began when her daughter was in high school and entered her cross-stitch work in the fair's sewing competition, winning a ribbon. The next year, Mailahn, a fine artist, joined her daughter, entering the decorative painting competition. Both mother and daughter won awards.

"Now, on opening day, my daughter takes off work and we go to the fair, eat an elephant ear and have a cup of coffee, and check out what we've won," said Mailahn.

In addition to a cross-stitch entry, Mailahn's daughter entered the baking contest. Mailahn entered four works in decorative painting, fine art and china painting competitions.

Fair tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.floridastatefair.com.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524.

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