The Florida State Fair
Every year, the Florida State Fair lights up Tampa with thrilling rides, exciting games, live performances and delicious festival food. Learn about Florida's unique history and culture and then grab an armband and hit the carnival rides. Local farms and small businesses show off their wares and operate petting zoos that the whole family can enjoy.
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
The Florida State Fair offers a range of activities, shows, contests, vendors and exhibits. These are a few of the events to enjoy:
• Aaron Radatz Magic
• Baton Twirling Championships
• Demolition Derby
• Florida State Fair Fireworks
• Fritzy Brothers One Man Circus
Your choice of exhibits includes:
• Cattle Ranching Museum
• Forest Discovery Center
• Giraffic Menagerie Petting Zoo
• Live Wall Mural Painting
• 3D Chalk Art
The fair has plenty of rides, including the Starship 4000, Orient Express, Lost City Glass House, Giant Wheel and Everglades Adventure.
ON-SITE AMENITIES
When you're hungry, browse the food vendors selling burgers, pasta, waffles, sandwiches, desserts, sides and festival food. Other amenities include:
• ATMs
• Restrooms
• Lost-and-found center
• Information booth
• First-aid stations
• Baby care center
• Wheelchair and scooter rentals
• Guest services
LOCATION
The Florida State Fair takes place at the Florida State Fairgrounds, which resides at 4800 US Hwy. 301 North, Tampa FL 33610. Major highways and interstates surround the fairgrounds, making the trip easier.
LINEUP
Check back for the 2024 lineup.
RVING AT THE EVENT
During the festival, only vendors can stay at the Florida State Fairgrounds. If you plan on camping before or after the fair, apply online for a reservation. The sites come with full electric, water and sewer hookups. The campgrounds do allow pets. With the exception of service animals, however, pets may not be brought into the Florida State Fair.
In addition to the RV camping opportunities at the actual fairgrounds, there are plenty of other RV park options in the Tampa area. One nearby option is the Lazydays RV Resort in Seffner. Located about 5 miles from the fairgrounds, it has 300 RV sites with hookups, a heated pool with a hot tub, and complimentary Wi-Fi access along with cable television.
Another option is the Spanish Main RV Resort in Thonotosassa, which is approximately 7 miles away. It offers 270 sites with full hookups, a playground, a heated pool, game courts, and stocked ponds for catch-and-release fishing. Learn about the top 10 campgrounds in Tampa for additional options.
You don’t need to own an RV to enjoy the fun and convenience of RV camping. Many owners list their RVs on RVshare, which provides a platform for people who want to rent. Tampa is located in central Florida, and stopping at the Florida State Fair makes any road trip more fun. Motorhomes, towable pop-up trailers and campervans are just some of the rental options on RVshare, so you can choose the vehicle that’s right for your needs.
For more activities, check out the perfect 2-day itinerary for Tampa, FL.
WHERE TO STAY
If you'd prefer to stay at a hotel, Red Roof Inn, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham and Comfort Suites are right across the street. You can find dozens of other options within a short drive.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are three entrances to the Florida State Fairgrounds: the Orient Road entrance, the MLK Boulevard entrance, and the US-301 entrance. Here's how to enter the park:
• If you’re traveling north or south on I-75: Exit at MLK Boulevard West, travel to the MLK Boulevard entrance, and turn right.
• If you’re traveling east on I-4: Merge onto US-301, travel to the US-301 entrance, and turn right.
• If you’re traveling west on I-4: Take the Orient Road exit, continue a short distance, turn right on Orient Road to the Orient Road entrance, and then turn left.
• If you’re traveling north on US-301: Turn left when you reach the US-301 301 entrance.
• If you’re traveling south on US-301: Turn right when you reach the US-301 301 entrance.
PARKING
Parking at the Florida State Fair is free. The fairgrounds have thousands of spaces, so consider writing down your lot so that you don't get lost. Once you park, you'll walk to one of the entrance gates.
If there is no room for an RV, consider leaving it at your campground and hitching a ride with a friend or using public transportation. Make sure that you've securely packed up your campsite and locked your RV before you leave. You'll probably be gone for several hours.
TICKETS & PRICING
Advance tickets offer the following tiers:
• Adult admission: $11
• Child admission: $7
• Senior admission: $9
• Armband and Fast Pass: $57
• Anyday Armband: $35
• Monday-Thursday Armband: $25
Armbands give you unlimited rides for one day only. Without an armband, you'll buy individual ride tickets. Fast Passes allow you to skip the lines.
On-site tickets might have different prices. Check the official website for more information.
WRAP UP
Each year, visitors travel hundreds of miles to enjoy the Florida State Fair. Dozens of rides, vendors, shows and exhibits gather to make sure that everyone has a great time. When the festival ends, relax at your RV campsite in the quiet wilderness. Check the official website to stay in touch until the big day.
Please note, this is not the official source of the event information. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible, some details may have changed since the time this article was written. Please confirm final details with the official event page .
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