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Florida State Fair 2020 Opens February 6

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeXpress Realty SL3199320

Florida State Fair 2020 Opens February 6

Grew up in Tampa.  Remembering now that the Florida State Fair was the next best thing since Christmas.  The schools were closed for a "teacher's planning day" allowing us to all go the the fair on student's day, the first Monday after opening.

It Was Not Just About the Food

Fair food has changed drastically since the childhood years.  Cotton Candy was the big deal. Only the fair had cotton candy and it was an amazing joy.  Pure, fluffy, colored sugar!  You could pull it off from the paper cone and draw a long string of heaven.  You could have your friend split the 25 cent piece of joy.

But, It Was The Rides

The thrill was going on the "rides."  Especially the rides your friend was afraid to go on and you could not resist making a "double dog dare" to your best friend.  You knew they did not want to go on the scary ride with you.  When your friend rejected your dare, you moved on relieved it was not accepted.  

At an even younger age, it was the small airplane ride where you could pull the handle back and raise the plane to it's full extension in the sky.  Also, there was the machine gun available to blast the plane in front of you.  Their plane would rise and you could follow firing away at their defenseless position, not even thinking about the pilot behind you shooting at you with glee.

Personally I Liked The Pigs

Visiting all of the animals not as fun as the rides, but it gave the parents some time to settle down from all the ride adrenaline.  Not only that, but it was free.  The Florida alligator was always nice to see, but they were boring as they laid around offering few great memories.

But the pigs!  They moved around, played the audience for snacks and primed themselves for their upcoming race.  "Mom, can we get a pig? ... Don't be silly Son!" 

 

Never Too Old For The Fair

Now it is not just the memories that draw us to the fair.  It is the creation of the newest collasal calorie, fat flowing, torture tempting foods that have made their way to the modern day fair.

It is "booths' selling items like Super Soap for $30 in concentrate form that cleans just as good as Dawn dish detergent.  

It is called The Florida State Fair.

Comments (5)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Rick... I've yet to attend a state fair in any state... for me it would be about the food... not all that crazed about rides or farm animals. Enjoy Florida's State Fair if you get to attend.

Feb 05, 2020 06:20 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Rick,  Are fair is not till August in our state.  It is always fun to attend and see so much.

 

Feb 05, 2020 08:58 AM
Rick Frissell
HomeXpress Realty - Valrico, FL
aka "The Red Baron of Real Estate"

Will Hamm thanks for your comment.  We call the fair folks "Carnies."  Gibsonton Florida was the winter home for them and Tampa was their first fair. In the 50's and 60's they fair was near downtown near the railroad tracks.  In those days, the carnies loaded everything on their train and off they would go until Labor Day and their return to Gibsonton

Feb 05, 2020 09:46 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Rick- we never attended the State Fair when we lived in Florida but it does sound like a lot of fun!!!!!

Feb 05, 2020 06:18 PM
Rick Frissell
HomeXpress Realty - Valrico, FL
aka "The Red Baron of Real Estate"

Good morning Kathy!  We are never to old and it is never to soon to attend a State Fair.  Especilly since it is about the food.  Thanks for your comment.

 

Feb 06, 2020 04:18 AM