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A Fair-Weather Finish, Beginning

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 17, 2009

Monday's picture-perfect weather was a great way to end one fair and begin another.

It marked the last day of the Florida State Fair, where attendance appeared to be down about 7 percent from last year.

Thousands of students and their families turned out for the fair Monday, free admission day for schools in Pinellas, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Charles Pesano, executive director of the Florida State Fair Authority, said he hoped the mild weather and student turnout would push attendance significantly closer to last year's total of 491,000.

"Today is shaping up to be a great day, so we should be in the 450,000 or 475,000 range," Pesano said. "We couldn't have asked for a prettier day."

Meanwhile, in Dade City, thousands of spectators lined the streets through downtown to bask in the sunshine and clamor for beads and candy. The parade kicked off the 62nd annual Pasco County Fair, which runs through Sunday at the Pasco County Fairgrounds on S.R. 52 in Dade City. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children.

Fair Chairman Tracy Thompson said the county fair has a more intimate vibe than the sprawling state fair in Tampa. Saturday's professional rodeo and Sunday's demolition derby are the two largest draws.

"We have all the variety, but our fairgrounds are much smaller, and everything is more compact," he said.

Laura Frazier, Laura Kinsler

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