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{{Short description|Fairgrounds in East Lake-Orient Park, Florida}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Florida State Fairgrounds
| image = Fairgrounds Main Arch.jpg
| image_caption = Main Entrance Archway
| image_map =
| former names = South Florida Fair
| ___location = 4800 US Hwy 301 North, Tampa, Florida
| coordinates = {{Coord|27.9877|-82.3622|region:US-MI_type:landmark|display=title}}
| acreage = {{convert|330|acre|adj=on}}
| broke_ground = October 31, 1930
| opened = 1977
| owner = [[Florida State Fair Authority]]
| operator = Florida Commissioner of Agriculture
| construction_cost =
| architect = Lawrie & Green
| tenants =
| seating_capacity = 7,600
| website = {{URL|floridastatefair.com}}
}}
The '''Florida State Fairgrounds''' in [[East Lake-Orient Park, Florida]], hosts the annual [[Florida State Fair]] and various other events.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-21 |title=Events Archive |url=https://floridastatefair.com/events/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=Florida State Fair |language=en-US}}</ref> Covering {{convert|355|acre|km2}}, it features a variety of buildings.<ref name="IFAS">{{cite web |last1=Place |first1=Nick |title=UF/IFAS Extension is Everywhere at the State Fair |url=https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/2020/02/10/uf-ifas-extension-is-everywhere-at-the-state-fair/ |website=ifas.ufl.edu |publisher=University of Florida IFAS |access-date=16 June 2025}}</ref>
==History==
Around the end of the [[19th century]], [[Henry B. Plant]] owned the [[Plant System|Plant Railroad]] in the southeast US, as well as steamboats and the [[Tampa Bay Hotel]] and Plant Field, the early site of sports and entertainment in Tampa. To amuse his guests, he staged numerous events there. Plant died in 1899, and the Tampa city government purchased the hotel and grounds.<ref name=TBT>{{cite web |last1=Calise |first1=Gabrielle |title=Remembering the strange, sordid history of the Florida State Fair |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2020/02/13/remembering-the-strange-sordid-history-of-the-florida-state-fair/ |website=tampabay.com |publisher=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref>
A few years later, the hotel was losing money and the hotel manager, T.J. Laud-Brown, proposed staging the "South Florida Fair" on the property to increase business. A Fair Association was created and plans were made. The {{convert|27|acre|adj=on}} abutting the hotel was the site of the first South Florida Fair and subsequent fairs for 70 years. The fair was suspended in 1918 and during World War II. That property is now part of the [[University of Tampa]].<ref name=FOUND>{{cite web |title=Florida State Fair |url=https://fsffoundation.org/florida-state-fair/ |website=fsffoundation.org |publisher=Florida State Fair Foundation |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref>
At the first fair, there were five horse races that anyone could bet on and a building for showcasing agricultural products. The fair was renamed the Florida State Mid-Winter Festival. Attendance shifted to families where the children ate popcorn and played games while the adults bragged about their blue ribbons for canned foods, pies, corn and quilts or debated farming and cooking techniques.<ref name=FOUND/>
Many of the events had ties to the 1893 [[World's Columbian Exposition|Columbian Exposition]] in [[Chicago]].<ref name=TBT/>
Attendees could bet on horse races, see elephants and monkeys, exotic dancers, amusement rides, games, oddities and curiosities. Andy Huse, University of South Florida librarian elaborated:<ref name=TBT/>
<blockquote>
"Not only was it the place to see two-headed animals, but it was a place to experience things you never had a chance to taste or smell. If you went to the fair in 1905, that might be the first time you tried [[Coca Cola]] or Italian sausage. If you lived in a rural area, it might be the first time you saw an electric light bulb."<ref name=TBT/>
</blockquote>
Novel food at the time were hamburgers, barbecue, hot dogs, fried fish, barbeque and ice cream.<ref name=TBT/>
The [[Gasparilla Pirate Festival]] also began in 1904, with both events occurring together downtown for 70 years. Both were intended to attract tourists to the state and draw politicians from Tallahassee.<ref name=TBT/>
The Gasparilla Carnival and South Florida Fair were both incorporated in 1915<ref name=FOUND/> and the name was changed to Florida State Fair.
The [[Ringling Brothers Circus]] began wintering in [[Sarasota, Florida]] during the 1920s, so many of their performers stayed in Florida.
The State Fair in Tampa and Gasparilla provided winter employment for some circus workers.<ref name=TBT/>
The growth and popularity of [[National FFA Organization|Future Farmers of America]] increased the number and type of animals raised and shown at county fairs. By mid-century, competition of livestock and other farm animals became a fair feature.<ref name=TBT/>
The ''Florida State Fair Authority'' was created in 1975 by the state legislature in Florida and they also designated the Florida State Fair as the official state fair of Florida.<ref name=OUR>{{cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://floridastatefair.com/our-story/ |website=floridastatefair.com |publisher=Florida State Fair Authority |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref>
In 1976 the fair moved temporarily into and around [[Tampa Stadium]] while construction continued on structures at the new fairgrounds ___location at the intersection of [[U.S. Route 301 in Florida|Hwy 301]], [[Interstate 4]] and East Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.<ref name=FOUND/> All the buildings, barns and arenas were erected at the new campus. Five acres became the Mildred W. and Doyle E. Carlton, Jr Cracker Country.<ref name=FOUND/>
[[File:Florida State Fairgrounds map.png|thumb|right|Map of major buildings on the fairgrounds]]
==Usage==
In addition to the Florida State Fair for 12 days each February, the fairgrounds are used for events including the RV Supershows, The Woodworking Shows, the Suncoast Sports Fest, and Florida Bridal & Wedding Expo,<ref name=HIST/> Tampa Bay Boat Show, Tampa Grappling Championships, SharkCon (convention), Tampa ToyCon, Tampa TCG Trade-N-Play Convention, Florida Gun Shows, the AAHOA Florida Hotel Owner Conference and Trade Show, Tampa Bay Home Shows, National Gaming Expo, Fairgrounds Flea Markets, Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo.<ref>{{cite web |title=Events |url=https://floridastatefair.com/events/list/page/3/ |website=floridastatefair.com |publisher=Florida State Fair Authority. |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref> Cracker Country hosts 25,000 students during homeschool days, school field trips and special tours.<ref name=FOUND/>
The fairgrounds have 150 full-hookup RV sites that can be available depending on the event.<ref name=HIST>{{cite web |last1=Kurtz |first1=Georgiana |title=Florida State Fairgrounds – History and Events |url=https://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art177082.asp |website=bellaonline.com |publisher=Minerva Webworks LLC |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref>
==Structures==
There are 16 major buildings on the property.
===Cracker Country===
{{main|Cracker Country}}
'''Cracker Country''' is a [[Living museum|living history museum]] of rural [[Florida]], and [[Florida cracker|Florida Cracker]] culture which was established in 1978 by Mildred and Doyle Carlton Jr.<ref name="Official Website">{{cite web |url=http://www.crackercountry.org/ |title=Home |website=crackercountry.org}}</ref> The attraction features thirteen original buildings dating from 1870 to 1912 and is set in 1898.<ref name="Official Website" /> The buildings were moved to their present ___location from throughout the state. The structures have been restored and furnished with antiques of the period.<ref name="FSFF">{{cite web |title=Cracker Country |url=https://fsffoundation.org/ |website=fsffoundation.org |publisher=Florida State Fair Foundation |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> The setting is even more realistic with heirloom plants, heritage livestock and skilled artisans performing the chores and crafting the necessities as the seasons and family changed. Costumed interpreters of living history converse with guests and answer questions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cracker Country Living History Museum |url=https://www.visittampabay.com/listings/cracker-country-living-history-museum/7631/ |website=visittampabay.com |publisher=Visit Tampa Bay |access-date=25 June 2025}}</ref>
===MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre===
{{main|MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre}}
Named ''Ford Amphitheater'' when it opened in 2004, it has hosted hundreds of concerts and events.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-26 |title=MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre Information {{!}} MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds |url=http://www.fairgroundsamphitheatre.com/midflorida-credit-union-amphitheatre-information/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>
The amphitheatre has a capacity of approximately 20,000; 9,900 reserved seats and 10,000 on the grass<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=20040722&id=J_EeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oIQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2628,1338137&hl Ford Amphitheater]</ref>. The naming rights were purchased by
Dr. Gary Kompothecras, a chiropractor who opened an early multi-disciplinary medical clinic. Renamed ''1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre'' from 2010 to 2012. Following negative public feedback, [[Live Nation (events promoter)|Live Nation]] refused to renew the naming rights and the venue was ''Live Nation Amphitheatre'' for five months.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wfla.com/story/20969903/do-not-ask-harry-no-more |title=Tampa Amphitheater changes name to Live Nation - WFLA-TV News Channel 8 |access-date=2013-06-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927153739/http://www.wfla.com/story/20969903/do-not-ask-harry-no-more |archive-date=2013-09-27 }}</ref>
[[MidFlorida Credit Union]] signed a 3-year naming contract and the name continues through 2025.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/blogs/soundboard/os-midflorida-credit-union-amphitheatre-tampa-live-nation-renames-tampa-venue-midflorida-credit-union-a-20130515,0,2495173.post| title = MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, an improved name for Tampa concert venue - Orlando Sentinel}}</ref> The venue manager is still Live Nation, and as of summer 2025 the Pavillion roof, which suffered severe damage by [[Hurricane Milton]] in 2024, had not been replaced.<ref>{{cite web |title=MIDFLORIDA credit Union Amphitheatre |url=https://www.midflorida.com/amphitheatre |website=midflorida.com |publisher=MIDFLORIDA Credit Union |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref>
===Bob Thomas Equestrian Center===
{{main|Bob Thomas Equestrian Center}}
Featuring exercise grounds, rings, and 471 stalls, it hosts various horse events, including youth and Olympic qualifiers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-09 |title=Equestrian Center |url=https://floridastatefair.com/equestrian/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Florida State Fair |language=en-US}}</ref>
The Stampede Premium Covered Arena is the largest structure in the center and hosts the "Ranch Rodeo Finals". The TECO Arena seats 2,500.
===Expo Hall===
{{main|Expo Hall}}
Formerly known as the Tampa Fairgrounds Arena, the Expo Hall has been used as a home arena for various sports teams while also being used for concerts, trade shows, exhibitions, and conventions. Its most iconic notable tenant being the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] of the [[NHL]] from 1992 to 1993.
===Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Building===
{{main|Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame}}
The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame ('''FAHOF''') was founded in 1980, three years after the fairgrounds opened, but the first members were inducted that year. The building includes a permanent exhibit dedicated to preserving the history of Florida agriculture and commemorating the lives and achievements of inductees.<ref name=FDACS/>
The facility also includes the interactive ''Ag-Venture'', which educates third graders about agriculture<ref name="FDACS">{{cite web |title=Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame |url=https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/Agricultural-Awards-and-Honors/Florida-Agricultural-Hall-of-Fame |website=fdacs.gov |publisher=Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref> during three designated weeks during the school year. At the event, children are assigned to groups designated by the color of the cowboy hat given to them and visit five stations which present different parts of agriculture with hands-on experiences.<ref name=FSFF/>
Traditionally the fair's opening ceremonies begin with a by-invitation-only ''Fresh from Florida'' breakfast at the FAHOF building,<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 Florida State Fair: A 'Fresh From Florida' Look Back In Photos |url=https://www.hillsboroughswcd.com/2023-florida-state-fair-a-fresh-from-florida-look-back-in-photos#:~:text=There%27s%20so%20much%20to%20see,fair%2Dand%2Dfestival%20fun! |website=hillsboroughswcd.com |publisher=Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> celebrating "Florida's agricultural bounty" and sourced locally. The "Flip the Switch" event, which officially opens the fair, either precedes or follows the breakfast.<ref>{{cite web |title=‘Fresh From Florida’ breakfast kicks off Florida State Fair with showcase of produce |url=https://www.observernews.net/2018/02/15/fresh-from-florida-breakfast-kicks-off-florida-state-fair-with-showcase-of-produce/#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20stars%20of%20the%20show,icing%20and%20Key%20lime%2D%20and%20local%2Dhoney%20icing.&text=%E2%80%9CAgriculture%20is%20a%20big%20part%20of%20this%20economy. |website=observernews.net |publisher=The Observer News Publications |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref>
The induction ceremony for new members is part of the FAHOF Banquet held yearly at the FAHOF building during the Florida State Fair.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeVault |first1=Nancy |title=Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Honors Ag Leaders and Promotes the Future of Farming |url=https://floridafarmfamily.com/farm/florida-agricultural-hall-of-fame-honors-ag-leaders-and-promotes-the-future-of-farming/ |website=floridafarmfamily.com |publisher=Florida Farm Bureau |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Florida State Fair]]
* [[
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*
{{Florida State Fairgrounds}}
{{IMSA GT circuits}}
{{World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series race venues}}
[[Category:Fairgrounds in the United States]]
[[Category:
[[Category:
[[Category:Sports venues in Tampa, Florida]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Tampa, Florida]]
[[Category:Florida State Fair]]
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