Fair offers fun, farming, fried food

Column

For a long time I missed the old state fair, when it was downtown at its original location near the University of Tampa. The "new" fairgrounds that opened on 355 acres in 1976 off Interstate 4 just didn't have the feel of what a fair should be.

But that was then. Today, especially with its renewed emphasis on agriculture and the environment, the fair has become a special event. Of course there also is the "if it's edible, let's deep fry it" element. I love that, although I'm skipping the fried bubblegum stand.

On Friday, I heard Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam talking about how we too easily dismiss the importance of agriculture around here.

Talking about our rural heritage, he used a football analogy to suggest the value of agriculture in Hillsborough County was comparable to a Super Bowl a month in income.

In Cracker Country, I ran into Doyle Carlton III, whose father started the exhibit by bringing in original buildings to re-create a Florida village from the 1890s. Now with 13 buildings, including the original Carlton house, along with dozens of volunteers in period costumes, there is really nothing like it anywhere. It alone is worth a trip to the fair.

The mailbag is overflowing, largely with comments on a column about high-speed rail. James Gothard Jr. writes in part "… not a day goes by without realizing we missed out on a great project for our state and residents. We should have tweaked the business case to lessen any known risk, but we did not get a fair chance to do so. Just looking at potential cost is just one side of the project assessment versus factoring in the multiple benefits you mentioned."

Eric Greenbaum of Tampa writes, "I would be curious to know how those two consulting firms came up with their ridership estimates of 5 million for the high-speed rail between Tampa and Orlando. In 2008, about 29 million passengers rode the entire Amtrak system. So they are saying that 22 percent of the people who ride a rail service that covers thousands of miles and many cities will travel on a rail line between two cities 70 miles apart? Do you really believe that?"

And finally this note from Beverly on Friday's column about Cpl. Michael Nicholson arriving home: "Once in awhile I send praises for your beautifully chosen words. Today warrants more. While I do not personally know young Cpl. Nicholson, I feel as though I do…Your column was spot on from the heartfelt commentary readers should learn of his bravery and courage and the commitment of his family and community…and that he and so many others still have a very long battle ahead. After the welcome home parades, I pray we never forget!"