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Cold Weather Doesn't Dim Thrill Of Fair

Tribune photo by D’ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

Julie Dvoracsek of St. Petersburg feeds Jeffrey the giraffe a carrot on opening day at the Florida State Fair.

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 5, 2009

Updated: 02/05/2009 04:50 pm

TAMPA - Thirty-degree temperatures weren't going to ruin opening day at the Florida State Fair for Jenny Slater of Tampa.

Today is her birthday, and she was determined to celebrate it by getting her fill of food, rides and entertainment.

It had been 30 years to the day since she'd last visited the state fair. As she and her friend, Robert Daniels, fed carrots to Jeffrey and Trixie the giraffes, she wondered why it had taken her three decades to return.

"I love it," she said. "It's everything we love about Florida, all the weirdness and craziness."

A dog lover, Slater was especially looking forward to the "Doggies of the Wild West" show.

Niki Wolf came straight from the airport after flying in from her home in Virginia to bring her 2-year-old daughter, Kirra, to the state fair. Wolf grew up in the Tampa Bay area and spent her youth attending the state fair. It had been 18 years since she'd been back, and she was looking forward to sharing good times at the fair with her daughter.

"I have a lot of good memories of this fair," Wolf said. "It was a big part of my youth. And some things never change, like the giant slide. That was always my favorite."

The giant yellow slide, a state fair staple, also captured the attention of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson as fair officials stood nearby preparing for opening ceremonies.

Bronson jokingly suggested to University of South Florida Bulls football coach Jim Leavitt that the two officially open the fair by taking a ride down the slide.

"On second thought, I've put on a few pounds since my college days," Bronson said. "I'd probably go down like a lead balloon."

After completing a successful season with the Bulls culminating with the St. Petersburg Bowl, Leavitt was on hand to promote the fair's theme, "Touchdown, Tampa Bay," capitalizing on Sunday's Super Bowl.

"The Bulls are picking up the pace, and we're proud of the recognition we're getting," Leavitt said. "And to have this come on the heels of the Super Bowl is great. There's a lot of positive energy in Tampa Bay right now."

Sandy MacKinnon, a member of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee and chairman of the Florida State Fair Authority, said it was only natural to keep the football momentum going into the state fair, attracting those visitors who came for the Super Bowl festivities and stayed on.

But, unlike the Super Bowl, the state fair's $10 admission fee makes it affordable to everyone.

"Everyone is looking for a good value these days, and the fair has something for everyone," MacKinnon said.

As for the weather, Jim and Marg Vandekerckhove said this is nothing compared to the minus-6 degrees recorded this morning in their hometown in Ontario, Canada. Jim Vandekerckhove didn't even bother wearing a jacket when they headed out to the fair this morning.

"This is beautiful compared to up North," he said.

However, the couple felt inclined to stop at Rick Saborido and Rudy Gonzalez' Cuban coffee booth to warm up with a cup of hot brew. There, business was as brisk as the weather.

"We got here a little after 6 a.m., and it was 29 degrees," Saborido said. "It was so cold the water lines were frozen. But it's been good for business."

Here is some information to help you plan your visit:

WHERE: Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa. Gates are on four sides of the fairgrounds: Gate 1 facing U.S. 301, Gate 2 near Cracker Country, Gate 3 facing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Gate 4 facing Orient Road

WHEN: Today through Feb. 16. Gates open daily at 9 a.m.; closing times are subject to change based on weather and other factors.

COST: Monday through Friday, $10 for adults and children 12 and older, $5 for ages 6 to 11, free for children 5 and younger; Saturday and Sunday, $12 for adults and children 12 and older, $6 for ages 6 to 11, free for children 5 and younger. Prices for seniors, students and all-you-can-ride armbands vary by day.

DETAILS: Go to www.floridastatefair.com or call (813) 621-7821.

Keyword, State Fair, to find event information, share photos and view an interactive map.

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