Year’s First State Fair is a Fun Place

You can write it in stone. The Florida State Fair: always in Tampa and always in February.

The 12-day showcase of Florida's best in agriculture, industry, entertainment (shows, music, games, rides and food) and achievement is celebrating its 110th year from February 6 through 17 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa near I-4/I-75. 

Advance tickets are now on sale at Walgreens locations throughout Florida and also at participating AAA Tampa Bay area locations.

The theme “1st Place For Fun” reminds fairgoers that the Florida State Fair is the first state fair of the year in the country. Boasting the largest independent midway and highlighting the largest traveling roller coaster in North America, the Fair also offers 110 free things to do; four featured concerts including America, Country Gold, Sister Hazel and Uncle Kracker; amazing animals and livestock; the Mildred W.and Doyle E. Carlton Jr. Cracker Country; bizarre side show spectacles like sword swallowing and fire eating; an exciting FMX Motorcycle Thrill Zone; fantastic fair food and other exciting entertainment throughout the twelve days of Fair fun. 

“We’ve created expanded daily discounts and promotions to appeal to every group from honoring our heroes on opening day and four senior days to college day and four student days touching nine surrounding counties,” notes Charles Pesano, Executive Director of the Florida State Fair Authority. “This is a great year to experience the fair and the key for having epic fun on a budget will be to buy early and save.”

Parking is free. Advance admission pricing is $7 for seniors (select senior days only), $9 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-11. Children 5 and under are free. Ride armbands – $25 in advance.

Country Gold concert tickets on Wednesday, February 12 can only be purchased through the Florida State Fair Authority. Shows will be at noon and 4 pm. 

Visit www.floridastatefair.com for details.

For more information about top events in Florida take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida.

Nation’s Biggest Springtime Celebration

The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC is the nation's greatest springtime celebration. 

The 2014 Festival, from March 20 to April 13, includes three spectacular weeks and four weekends of events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. 

The 2014 Festival commemorates the 102nd anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan.

One of the Festival’s largest signature events, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC. is on Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 10am until noon along Constitution Avenue, NW. Vibrant costumes and blossom-inspired décor create the look of the nation’s premier springtime parade. Giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, and performers burst down Constitution Avenue in a grand spectacle of music and showmanship seen only once a year during the Festival.

National Cherry Blossom Festival 2014 signature events and programs include:

• Thursday, March 20: Pink Tie Party fundraiser at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
• Saturday, March 22: Opening Ceremony at the Warner Theatre 
• Saturday & Sunday, March 22 & 23: Family Days presented with the National Building Museum 
• Saturdays (March 22, 29, April 5): Step Into Spring Fitness Programming at the Jefferson Memorial 
• Saturday, March 29: Blossom Kite Festival on the Washington Monument grounds
• Thursday, April 3: Grand Sake Tasting at Carnegie Library 
• Saturday, April 5: Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival 
• Saturday, April 12: Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival produced by The Japan-America Society of Washington DC 
• Saturday, March 22 - Sunday, April 6: Festival Welcome Center at the Tidal Basin produced with the National Park Service 
• Ongoing: City in Bloom and the Petal Pass Program presented by Capital One Bank® 

Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org for more information.

For news of other top events in Washington DC take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Washington DC.