News Summary
The Florida State Fair returns to Tampa from February 6 to 17, showcasing 27 new food items alongside classic fair favorites. Attendees can enjoy an array of innovative dishes from various vendors, including Southern Comfort funnel cakes and BBQ waffles. The fair also features interactive exhibits, thrilling rides, live entertainment, and daily eating contests, ensuring fun for the whole family. Free parking is available, making it an accessible event for everyone. Experience the best of food, fun, and excitement at this year’s fair!
Florida State Fair Kicks Off in Tampa with New Tasty Treats!
Get ready, Tampa! The Florida State Fair is back and it’s more exciting than ever! Running from February 6 to February 17, this year’s fair is a delightful blend of new and classic experiences just waiting for you. The festivities were kicked off recently in style by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who ceremoniously flipped the switch to turn on the bright lights illuminating the event.
Delicious New Food to Tempt Your Taste Buds
One of the most thrilling aspects of the fair is undoubtedly the food. With a whopping 27 new unique food items making their debut, there’s something for everyone! Vendors have pulled out all the stops to create mouth-watering delicacies that will surely send your taste buds into overdrive. For instance, you can try the Southern Comfort funnel cake adorned with hearty sausage gravy – a taste you won’t forget.
If you’re in the mood for BBQ, look no further than Low-N-Slow Catering. They’re offering a delectable waffle stuffed with BBQ pulled pork and bacon, all drizzled with a sweet maple butter sauce that’s just divine. Fancy a twist on pasta? All American Concessions has you covered with portable rigatoni noodles swimming in homemade marinara sauce and cheese, perfect for enjoying on-the-go!
And for the fearless foodies, you might want to stop by DeAnna’s Donut Burger which serves a delightful concoction of smoked gouda, sliced hot dog, and an Angus beef patty nestled inside a sugary bun. Meanwhile, Ryals Sweet Shop takes a bold spin on traditional fare by offering hand-battered chicken atop a fluffy funnel cake instead of the regular waffle.
Another showcase of creativity comes from Holy Macaroni, where mac & cheese meets street corn, peppers, and the option to add scrumptious chicken, chorizo, or carnitas for that ultimate comfort dish. If you’re feeling bold, try the unique creation by Our Noire Kitchen, where you’ll find a brisket patty with smoked pork belly and BBQ pulled pork, all on a savory brioche bun.
Don’t miss the chance to taste the classic mac & cheese from Chester’s Gators & Taters, now crowned with crunchy fried pickles and drizzled with ranch dressing. It sounds like pure comfort food perfection!
Interactive and Fun Experiences Await
But that’s not all! The Florida State Fair is packed with new **interactive animal and agricultural exhibits**, alongside plenty of live entertainment to keep the excitement flowing. Thrill-seekers can look forward to trying out new rides such as “The Kraken” and “The Thunderbird.” Plus, there’s a sensory-oriented Candy Adventure Fun House that promises to be a sweet delight!
The fair will light up the sky with fireworks on both the opening and closing weekends, creating a festive backdrop for your fair experience. Don’t forget to catch some impressive performances from tribute bands, including the ever-popular Taylor Swift tribute band, “Blank Space.” Performance lovers will find lots to dance and sing along to!
Daily Fun and Excitement
And if you’re up for it, you can participate in daily eating contests happening at 3 p.m., which sounds like a fun challenge for families and friends looking to make memories. Just a little heads up for those bringing along the kids: the fair’s youth admission policy requires guests under the age of 18 to be accompanied by adults after 6 p.m..
Oh, and here’s a bonus: parking at the fairgrounds is completely free, allowing you to save those extra bucks for all that delicious food and fun activities!
So gather your family and friends, mark your calendars, and make your way to the Florida State Fair! With inventive eats, thrilling rides, and lively entertainment, this year’s fair is set to be a memorable one!
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Additional Resources
- WTSP: Florida State Fair Food 2025
- Wikipedia: Florida State Fair
- Fox 13 News: Florida State Fair 2025
- Google Search: Florida State Fair 2025
- St. Pete Catalyst: Florida State Fair Returns
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida State Fair
- ABC Action News: BBQ Stuffed Waffles at Fair
- Google News: Florida State Fair 2025
