107 years later, still going strong
March ushers in the return of the Central Florida Fair which will open on Thursday, March 2 and will remain open until Sunday, March 19. The fair opens at 4 p.m. on weekdays and at 10 p.m. on weekends. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The Central Florida Fair was founded in 1910 by a group of community leaders who sought an outlet to celebrate the agricultural industry in Orlando and its surrounding counties. With an average annual attendance of 250,000, the Central Florida Fair successfully continues its mission to preserve and enhance the agricultural, cultural, educational, and historical legacy of Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Brevard, and Volusia Counties, known collectively as “Central Florida.” It is the largest not-for-profit fair in Central Florida and among the top five largest fairs in the state. The Fair is centrally located just minutes from downtown Orlando on 87 acres with ample free parking and a Lynx Bus stop at the main entrance.
At the annual Fair, Visitors and residents alike will enjoy scores of rides through the exciting Midway, from stomach dropping thrillers for adrenaline seekers to Kiddie Land for the youngest riders, the Central Florida Fair delivers clean family fun for everyone! In addition to the traditional rides and fair food, the 11-day event will celebrate the accomplishments of local residents awarding nearly $200,000 in prize money to exhibitors in:
Creative Arts — with nearly 3,000 handmade items in over 200 categories, including Fine Arts, Needlework, and Crafts& Hobbies
Food Arts & Sciences — a feast of baked goods, canned fruits, decorated cakes, and decorative touches for the home, plus dozens of daily chef demonstrations on a state-of-the-art kitchen stage
Horticulture — lush displays of flowers and foliage, plus information on gardening, water conservation, landscaping, and more
FFA — local middle and high school chapters present educational booths on landscaping, animal husbandry, veterinary care, and more
4-H — this leadership-building organization presents a year’s worth of youth activities in informative booths and creative contests
Livestock — featuring over 2,000 cows, horses, sheep, hogs, goats, chickens, and rabbits
Entertainment — over 100 groups featuring 800 singers, dancers and musicians on three stages
The Fair further supports the community by distributing thousands of free tickets to underprivileged children, as well as opening the Fairgrounds early one weekday for school groups and chaperones to enjoy the exhibits and entertainment for free.
This year, The Central Florida Fair presents 90s R&B sensation Tony, Toni Tone at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, rockers Puddle of Mud on Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m. and the 6th Annual Orlando Caribbean Festival which gets kicked off at the fair on Saturday, March 11.
For more information about the Central Florida Fair including performance tickets, entrance to the fair, and a complete schedule of events, visit them at CentralFloridaFair.com
