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The Fair Is Your 'Ticket To Fun'

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By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: February 15, 2009

DADE CITY - A clown show for tots leads the new attractions at the 62nd annual Pasco County Fair.

The child-friendly Nojoe's Clown Circus performs daily, along with jugglers and magicians roaming the fairgrounds on State Road 52. The fair kicks off Monday with a parade through Dade City at 1 p.m.

After an eight-year absence, paddling porkers and racing pigs will return. The Pasco County Fair Championship Rodeo continues to grow each year, and the Sunday afternoon demolition derby, which debuted last year, will be back this year.

"We had such a great crowd last year," fair Chairman Tracy Thompson said. "People really love the smash 'em up atmosphere."
Attendance averages about 8,000 visitors a day, but weekend crowds often exceed 12,000.

And while fair food can most often be described as "something fried, on a stick," Thompson said, Pasco is proud to welcome Outback Steakhouse for the first time. The popular restaurant chain will have a booth selling chicken and steak sandwiches and quesadillas.

The fair theme this year is "Your Magical Ticket to Fun." But that ticket will cost more this year. The fair raised admission prices by $1 as a concession to the sour economy.

Of course, the fair will include the events people expect to see every year, such as the youth dairy, goat and hog shows and sales; plant, poultry and rabbit shows and sales; plus the annual Miss Pasco County and Miss Pasco County Fair pageant, which will be at 7 p.m. Saturday.

IF YOU GO

WHERE: Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City

HOURS: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 3 p.m. to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. The midway opens at 3 p.m. Monday, 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday. Exhibits close at 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday.

ADMISSION: $8 for adults and $5 for children 6 to 12. Wristbands for unlimited rides cost $15 Monday to Thursday and $20 Friday to Sunday and do not include gate admission.

PARKING: Free parking off S.R. 52

INFORMATION: www.pasco countyfair.com or (352) 567-6678

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 779-4617.

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