December Events at the Florida State Fairgrounds

Ongoing: Afternoons in the Country

Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday folks can re-live Florida’s rural past in Cracker Country. Visitors can learn about life in the 1890’s through costumed historical interpretations in select areas, as an audio history tour highlights the day. Hours are 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $2 per person and includes the use of the audio history tour CD and player. Groups of 10 or more should call 813-627-4225 for a reservation. Parking is free; visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance.

For more information, call 813-627-4225 or visit www.crackercountry.org.

Sept. 26 – Dec. 8: Cracker Country School Tours – 2006 Fall Season

Students will spend a morning learning about rural Florida history while visiting historic sites and doing hands-on historical activities. The tours are scheduled for Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., except on Nov. 21-27. Schools must register in advance to attend a tour.

For more information, call 813-627-4225 or visit www.crackercountry.org.

Dec. 1-3: Florida Whips Tampa Trials

Held in the Charlie Lykes Arena, this Arena Driving Trial (ADT) is a carriage driving event in which three phases of competition take place consisting of dressage, cones, and hazards/obstacles. Friday night kicks off at 7:00 p.m. with a darby fundraiser featuring high-speed carriage driving through cones and hazards. The action continues on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. with the dressage phase, and culminates on Sunday with the hazard phase beginning at 9:00 a.m. Parking and admission are free to spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance.

For more information, visit www.cypresskeep.com/tampatrials or contact Erika Matulich at ematulich@ut.edu.

Dec. 2: CONCERT – Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson with opening bands Little Big Town and The Wreckers, will be performing at the Ford Amphitheatre on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $59.50 and $49.50 for reserved seats; $35 for lawn seats. Prices include tax and parking. All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. There will be a Ticketmaster or Box Office Service Charge added and all tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service and handling charges. Tickets can be purchased online at www.livenation.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

For the latest concert information about Ford Amphitheatre events, call 813-740-2446 or visit www.livenation.com.

Dec. 2-3: Florida Academy State Finals

This state finals event is geared for beginner riders with Saddlebred and Morgan horses to participate in riding lessons in the Covered Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Classes from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There is no cost to participate and parking is free. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance.

For more information, contact Pam Roush at 813-765-1762.

Dec. 2-3: Suncoast Gun Show and Sale

The Suncoast Gun Show and Sale, one of Florida’s premier gun shows, returns to the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center. The show features firearms-related accessories including gun parts, knives, cases, ammunition and more. Concealed weapons classes will be held both days at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for a separate fee. Appointments and firearms are not needed for these classes. Show hours are Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, and children 12 and younger are admitted free and must be accompanied by an adult. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the MLK, Jr. Boulevard entrance.

For more information, visit www.suncoastgunshows.com or contact Suncoast Gun Collectors at 330-963-6964.

Dec. 3: CONCERT – 97X Next Big Thing 6

The 97X Next Big Thing 6 concert festival comes to the Ford Amphitheatre on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and features fifteen bands including My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday and 30 Seconds to Mars playing throughout the day on multiple stages. Ticket prices are $68.20, $52.15, $46.80 and $41.45 for reserved seats; $68.20 for PIT section general admission, and $34 for lawn seats. Prices include tax and parking. All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. There will be a Ticketmaster or Box Office Service Charge added and all tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service and handling charges. Tickets can be purchased online at www.livenation.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

For the latest concert information about Ford Amphitheatre events, call 813-740-2446 or visit www.livenation.com.

Dec. 7-10: Central Florida Hunter Jumper Show

Various equestrian breeds will come to compete in both flat and jumping classes at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Friday’s show begins at 12:00 p.m., and runs through the daylight hours. On Saturday and Sunday, the shows begin at 8:00 a.m. and runs through the daylight hours. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance.

For more information, contact Dani Becker at 813-571-0111 or log on to www.cfhja.com.

Dec. 9: Christmas in the Country

From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cracker Country, visitors can relive a pioneer Christmas as it was celebrated in early rural Florida. Enjoy live music performed by the Pleasant Family Old Time String Band, craft demonstrations and hands-on activities for kids. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors ages 55 and older and children ages six to 12; free for children five and younger. Parking is free; visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance.

For more information, visit www.crackercountry.org or call 813-627-4225.

Dec. 9: YuGiOh! Regionals - Constructed Deck

Held in the Pavilion at the Fairgrounds, registration starts at 9 a.m. and regional qualifier play begins at 10 a.m. Tournament format consists of 40 minute Swiss rounds, cut to Top 8 for 1 round of single elimination to determine Top 4. Top 4 players receive an invitation to the 2007 National Championships. Admission for spectators is free; entry fee is $15 to play. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via MLK, Jr. Blvd. entrance. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or Bus. For a detailed event itinerary, visit http://unityentertainment.net.

For more information contact Unity Entertainment at (352) 404-9500 or e-mail UnityEntertainment@earthlink.net.

Dec. 9-10: Cheer America Cheer and Dance Competition

Cheerleaders and dancers from nine surrounding counties, ranging in age from five to 15, will get the crowd pumped up as they battle it out at the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center. On Saturday, cheerleader performances are from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Sunday dancing performances are from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Cheerleader registration is $40 in advance or $45 the day of the show; dancer registration is $35 in advance or $40 the day of the show. General admission is $10 per person, or $5 in advance; children 3 and younger get in free. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the MLK, Jr. Boulevard entrance.

For more information or to purchase advance tickets, contact All American Youth Activities at 813-964-8805 or log on to www.allamericanyouth.org.

Dec. 16-17: Second Annual Tampa Model Train Show and Sale

Just in time for the holidays, train collectors and railroad fans can find over 250 tables of model items for sale in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center. There will be many larger operating model train layouts on display, plus train-related parts, accessories and collector items for sale. Show hours are Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $7 per adult; children 12 and younger get in free. Paid admission is valid for both days and a discount is available online. Only cash will be accepted for payment at the show.

For more information, visit www.gserr.com; or contact Golden Spike Enterprises at 813-949-7197 or gse99@aol.com.

Dec. 27-Jan. 2: Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show

America’s prestigious Winter Quarter Horse Circuit takes place throughout the entire Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. The event attracts quarter horses, their owners, trainers and riders from across the country to compete in English, Western, Driving, Reining, Trail and Working Cow Horse classes. Events take place throughout seven days and class times vary. There is an entry fee for participants and spectators may attend at no cost. Parking is free; visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance.

For more information, visit www.fqha.net or contact Peg Edmondson by phone at 941-484-4687 or e-mail Medmondson333@aol.com.

Dec. 30-31: Great Train Expo

A model train show for all ages, heralded as “America’s Coast to Coast Train Show,” will be held in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center. There will be huge operating model railroads, train dealers and collectors, hands on exhibits and demonstrations designed especially for kids as well as thousands of trains, toys and accessories for sale. Show hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $7 per adult; children 12 and younger get in free. Paid admission is valid for both days. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the MLK, Jr. Boulevard entrance.

For more information, visit www.greattrainexpo.com or contact Frank Hicks at 630-279-4048.

Media are welcome at all events held at the Florida State Fairgrounds. To cover Ford Amphitheatre events, please contact David Harb at 813-740-2446. For all other events, please enter the grounds via the Orient Road gate and sign in with the security guard.

For more information on these and other events taking place at the Fairgrounds, call 813-621-7821; check the Fairgrounds Info Line at 813-622-7275; or log on to www.floridastatefair.com and click on Calendar of Events. Media contact is Lizz Harmon, HarmonTampa, Inc. at 813-288-6909 or lizz@harmontampa.com.

The Florida State Fair Authority operates the Florida State Fairgrounds, in association with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner.

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