What to Know About the 2021 Florida State Fair
If you didn’t know, the Florida State Fair was postponed this year due to COVID. It’s usually in February but this year it starts April 22-May 2. The fair is always a fun time with all the rides and crazy foods we’re able to eat once a year haha. This year’s fair is full of the same fun we’ve grown up with for years. Grab your friends, your family, co-workers, whomever and head out to the fairgrounds ASAP. Ticket prices start at $5 for children up to $30 for an any day armband.
The 2021 Florida State Fair has a few things up their sleeve with the Deep Fried Dash 5K to different promos. Here’s what you can expect at this year’s fair:
Food
Fair foods definitely are in their own world. It takes a lot of imagination to create some of the combos like the bomb shark mac & cheese I had one year. Everyone has some kind of version of lobster mac but shark?! Mindblown. Here’s some goodies to look for this year;
Buffalo Chicken Sundae: DeAnna’s Steak Sundaes treat features French fries topped with ranch sauce, chicken tenders smothered in southwest sauce and spicy giardiniera relish.
Gelato Nachos: Brought to you by Funky Flamingo, the dessert features soft serve gelato in flavors like salted caramel, tutti frutti, espresso and cheesecake. The chips and shells are made from their top secret stroopwafel recipe.
The Pig Rig: This year, Low N’ Slow brings bbq and mac together for an ultimate guilty pleasure. The Pig Rig is a grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with BBQ pulled pork and mac n’ cheese finished with their signature BBQ sauce.
Pickle Pizza: Pickles and pizza are an uncommon pair, but Angela’s Concessions figured a delish a way to pair them. The Pickle Pizza is made with a white garlic sauce base, topped with mozzarella cheese and dill pickles. It’s garnished with ranch and dill seasoning immediately after baking.
Peanut Butter and Spicy Jelly Tater Tots: Swift Concessions Tots’ peanut butter and spicy jelly tater tots is something you don’t want to miss.
The Flaming Hot Cheetos Funnel Cake: The Best Around brings the heat with their Flaming Hot Cheetos Funnel Cake. The cake mix is made with cornmeal, spices, fresh jalapeños and crushed flaming hot Cheetos then topped with nacho cheese and more Cheetos.
Deep Fried Rainbow Cookie: Paul’s Concessions’ Italian rainbow cookie from New York dipped in a sweet batter, deep fried and put on a stick with powder sugar.
Farm Fresh Blueberry & Cream Donut: Peachey’s Baking Co. puts a twist on their famous donut with whipped cream and fresh blueberries.
Loaded Tater Burger: Carousel Foods’ hamburger is stuffed with cottage fries and bacon and topped with ranch dressing, toasted cheese, chives, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion.
Deep Fried Caramel Apple Sundae: DeAnna’s Steak Sundaes aims to please with this one: doughnut holes rolled in cinnamon sugar, layered with cream cheese frosting, sautéed caramel apples, and topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.
Deep Fried Molten Lava Cake: Carousel Foods took a molten lava cake, dipped it in funnel cake batter and deep fried it.
Promos
Who doesn’t love a good promo deal? There’s something for everyone to enjoy
Hero’s Day, Thursday, April 22, 2021
Free admission for law enforcement, first responders, active or retired military, doctors, nurses, hospital & emergency clinic staff with valid ID.
Senior Days, Mondays-Thursdays
Discounted admission for seniors age 55+ on any Monday – Thursday throughout the entire duration of the fair.
Homeschool Day, Monday, April 26, 2021
Free admission for Homeschool students under 18 until 6 p.m. with a paid adult admission.
$2 Tuesday, Tuesday, April 27, 2021
$2 prices on admission, select rides and food items after 2 p.m.
Thrill Thursday Ride-A-Thon, Thursday, April 29, 2021
$15 ride armbands after 3 p.m.
Kid’s Day, Friday, April 30, 2021
Free admission for kids under 18 until 6 p.m. with a paid adult admission. Adult supervision is required after that time.
Entertainment
Fair’s Got Talent: The annual competition is Monday, April 26. Contestants are judged on a series of categories like musicality, originality, stage presence, audience engagement and response, and more. The champion wins a prize package , which includes $500 cash, trophy, tickets and 2 armbands.
Local Talent performances: Performers get a 30-minute set to sing, dance, or act in front of fair visitors on the Coca-Cola Community Showcase Stage inside the Entertainment Hall.
Featured Entertainment:
DAREDEVIL DAZE 2.0: Bello and Annaliese Nock with fast-paced acts like FMX, Motorcycle on a High-wire, Globe of Death and Double Wheel of Steel.
DIVAS THROUGH THE DECADES: A musical tribute to some of the most influential female vocalists in American pop music including Tina Turner, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Taylor Swift, Gloria Estefan, Carrie Underwood, Beyonce and more.
EXTREME ILLUSIONS: Josh and Lea Knotts leave you speechless with their magic acts.
FIREGUY: Watch as he shows his expert skills in fire juggling, eating, breathing and dire performing.
GASCAR CRAZY ANIMAL RACES: Animal racing like you’ve never seen before featuring goats, sheep, chickens, pigs and other animals wearing racing silks as they hoof and waddle around and sometimes over the track.
THE DWEEBS: An interactive, unique and adaptable show for families. Colorful costumes, crazy stage antics and lots of crowd participation are staple at any Dweeb performance.
DARK KNIGHTS: Take a step back to the medieval times of chevaliers and destriers as you watch a real-life jousting tournament in 2021.
CRISS CROSS FLYING TRAPEZE: Eight people in the world’s only crisscross flying act 40 ft. in the air.
THE DENNIS LEE BAND: Musician Dennis Lee has entertained thousands at fairs and festivals all over the U.S. and Canada with his blend of musical favorites, comedy, country music, old time rock n’ roll and patriotic numbers.
ONE MAN BAND: Marc Dobson starting entertaining 31 years ago as a busker (street performer) and after performing at almost every venue type, you can think of him for bringing living entertainment to your neighborhood.
HOLLYWOOD CIRCUS: The traditions of a classic circus but with a new, modern twist that is sure to delight people of all ages.
MANGO AND DANGO: The duo is known to wow audiences with their circus skills: acrobats, jugglers, aerialists, stilt walkers, physical theater, an unsupported ladder, and cirque style performances.
PAUL BUNYAN LUMBERJACK SHOW: An action-packed competition with plenty of laughter. Watch log rolling, underhand chopping, springboard chopping, standing block chop, crosscut sawing, axe throwing, and dragster chainsaw competition.
TOUR OF DESTRUCTION DEMOLITION DERBY: Watch as cars smash, crash and dash into each other until only one is left standing.
Deep Fried Dash 5K
The 2nd annual Deep Fried Dash 5K presented by Sleep Number is not only in-person, but virtual too for those who want to remain safe and socially distant. Registration is now open for both options of the race. The in-person race is scheduled for Saturday, May 1 at 7 a.m. and virtual race ends April 30. The in-person route takes participants through the fairgrounds (hopefully they aren’t tempted to stop for a bite of food and a ride).
Do you plan on going to the Florida State Fair this year? What’s your favorite part? Let me know in the comments below.
PHOTO C/O FLORIDA STATE FAIR WEBSITE
Best view i have ever seen !
Best view i have ever seen !