Pasco County Fair offers more fun than you can bear

A trio of grizzly bears and supercross legend Chad Reed highlight the new additions this year to the 65th Annual Pasco County Fair.

Lake Jovita resident Chad Reed will trade his motocross bike in for the back of a convertible to serve as grand marshal for the "Ridin' Rockin' & Livestockin' " parade, which kicks off the fair activities Monday at 1 p.m. in downtown Dade City. Then Reed will head over to the fairgrounds to take part in the annual celebrity milk-off in the livestock pavilion.

Naples-based bear trainer Dexter Osborn debuts his show "A Grizzly Experience" at 5:30 p.m. and performs three shows nightly.

Visitors will get an up-close look at Tonk, a 600-pound grizzly bear, and cubs Yogi and Booboo. The 7-year-old Tonk stands over 7-feet tall, but he's still growing, Osborn said. He eats about 25 pounds of food every day. His favorite treat is Florida grouper. "He's got another 300 or 400 pounds to go before he's fully grown," Osborn said.

All three bears were born in captivity.

"They're all three brothers," Osborn said. "We'll demonstrate some natural bear behaviors with Tonk. Yogi and Booboo mostly play and keep each other entertained."

Fair favorites Robinson's Racing Pigs and Paddlin Porkers make a return engagement with multiple shows daily. Other entertainers include a roaming circus, jugglers, magicians and hypnotists.

Visitors will notice several new food vendors and other changes around the fairgrounds and inside the Dan Cannon Auditorium, which is decorated with posters and 14-foot tall potted magnolia trees.

"This is a totally different setup," organizer Cathlee Tomkow said.

The Pasco County Fair Championship Rodeo takes place Friday and Saturday. The annual Demolition Derby closes out the fair Sunday.

Today is the last day to buy discounted wristbands at area Walgreens stores. The wristbands allow unlimited rides for $15 Monday through Thursday or for $19 through the weekend. Gate admission is not included.