South Florida Sun Fun Guide

South Florida Fair

2018 South Florida Fair

Can you believe it's "that time of year" again? Time for the South Florida Fair! This year's theme is "Magical Parades", and Wade Shows brings a special treat - the largest mobile Ferris wheel in North America! I'm hoping the cold weather sticks around until (or comes back) then - who doesn't love hanging out at the fair all day until sunset and then warming by the fires in Yesteryear Village?

The Fair for 2018 runs from January 12th-18th, and promises fun for all. Every night features a themed parade, each presenting a famous parade from all around the globe. The exposition buildings will have interactive exhibits and displays from all across the US, including oceans and national parks. Yesteryear Village, always a fave of mine, will be in full swing with activities and displays.

Competitions this year include the Miss Florida Fair pageant, Starz of the Future, Rock Tribute Band, Creative Crafts and Skills, Beautiful Baby, and Twins. Registration and schedule information can be found here.

Wade Shows is back with their meticulously-kept rides, as well as a new spectacle, the Midway Sky Eye - an enormous Ferris wheel. They'll have all of the usual coasters and thrill rides, along with rides for the younger kids. Individual tickets or all-you-can-ride wristbands get you on the rides.

The entertainment this year promises to be outstanding, just as in past years. Featured performers include Matthew West, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Chris Lane, Grand Fuck Railroad, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Frankie Negron, Anthony La Makina, Samba New York, Grupo Impress, and La Esencial. A full list of performers and a schedule of events can be found . For a full schedule of other events, click here.

Hours this year are as follows:

Fair Hours
Monday thru Friday: open at 12 Noon
Saturday, Sunday, andMartin Luther King Jr. Day: open at 10 am

Exhibit/Building Hours
Monday thru Friday: Noon to 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10 am to 10 pm
Closes at 8:00 pm to January 28

Exposition Building
Monday - Friday: Noon - 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10 am - 10 pm
Closes at 8:00 pm on January 28

Midway
Open 1 hour after gate opening
Closes at 11 pm Sunday thru Thursday, 12 Midnight on Friday and Saturday

Yesteryear Village
Monday thru Thursday: Noon to 9 pm
Friday and Saturday: 10 am to 10 pm
Sunday: 10 am to 9 pm
Closes at 8:00 pm on January 28

Food concessions and outdoor exhibitors
Monday thru Friday: Open at Noon
Saturday and Sunday: Open at 10 am
Closes at 11 pm Sunday thru Thursday, 12 Midnight on Friday and Saturday
Closes at 8:00 pm on January 28

Click here for the complete listing of hours

Admission prices this year are as follows:

Tickets
Adult (12 and up): $10 in advance; $15 at the gate
Child (6 thru 11): $5 in advance; $8 at the gate
Senior (60+): $7 in advance; $9 at the gate

Ride/Wristband Voucher
$20 in advance; $25 at the gate
Saturday/Sunday Upgrade: $15

(advance tickets are available at Publix)

A complete list of prices can be found here.

Everyone enjoy The Fair - we'll see you there!

2017 South Florida Fair

The countdown is on yet again to the annual South Florida Fair, running this year from January 13 to January 29! As is tradition, I picked up my advance tickets at Publix just before Christmas as stocking stuffers, and we're ready to go! You can still get your own advance tickets through Thursday, January 12.

I couldn't be more excited - the theme this year is New Orleans! (Okay, yeah, I 'd be a little more excited if I were actually traveling to New Orleans, but this will do!) The daily Mardi Gras Parade should be awesome, and there will also be themed street performers, food, and music.

Wade Shows provides the rides and midway attractions as usual, and my husband and I are excited to see what they bring out.

2017 Ticket Prices

Advance tickets are available at Publix Supermarkets, BB&T bank branches, Bud's Chicken&Seafood, or online here.

Adults (12+): $10 ($15 at gate)
Seniors (60+): $7 ($9 at gate)
Children (6-11): $5 ($8 at gate)
Children 5 and under get in for FREE.
Ride/Wristband: $20 ($25 at gate)
Mega Saver Package (only available in advance): $89 for 4 weekday admissions plus 2 ride vouchers

2017 South Florida Fair Hours

General Fair Hours
Monday - Friday: opens at 12 Noon
Saturday, Sunday & Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: opens at 10 am

Exhibit/Building Hours
Monday - Friday: Noon - 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10 am - 10 pm
Closes at 8:00 pm on January 29

Exposition Building
Monday - Friday: Noon - 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10 am - 10 pm
Closes at 8:00 pm on January 29

Midway
Opens 1 hour after gate opening
Closes at 11 pm Sunday - Thursday, 12 Midnight on Friday & Saturday*

Yesteryear Village
Monday - Thursday: Noon - 9 pm
Friday & Saturday: 10 am - 10 pm
Sunday: 10 am - 9 pm
Closes at 8:00 pm on January 29

Information Booths
Monday - Friday: Noon - 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10 am - 10 pm
Closes at 8:00 pm on January 29

Food concessions and outdoor exhibitors
Monday - Friday: Open at Noon
Saturday & Sunday: Open at 10 am
Closes at 11 pm Sunday - Thursday, 12 Midnight on Friday & Saturday
Closes at 8:00 pm on January 29
(We're already planning our annual stop at Porky's, my husband for ribs, and me for the MASSIVE loaded baked potato!)

2016 South Florida Fair

Driving by the fairgrounds over the past few weeks, I've watched the rides being slowly assembled, and last night - the lights were on! So, it's officially Fair Time!

The 105th South Florida Fair open its gates on Friday, January 15th and runs through Sunday, January 31st. The Expo theme this year is "Discover The Palm Beaches", and representatives from local attractions will be on hand with information on any and every thing to do in Palm Beach County.

Wade Shows is back with more than 200 of your favorite midway rides. This family-owned company has been providing entertainment since 1912, and their pride in what they do shows in the spectacular quality and maintenance of their attractions.

2016 Ticket Prices

Advance tickets are available at Publix Supermarkets, or online here.

Adults (12+): $10 ($15 at gate)
Seniors (60+): $7 ($9 at gate)
Children (5-11): $5 ($8 at gate)
Children 5 and under get in for FREE.
Ride/Wristband: $20 ($25 at gate)
Mega Saver Package: $89 for 4 weekday admissions plus 2 ride vouchers

A Ride-A-Thon coupon for January 14th can be found here.

2016 South Florida Fair Hours

General Fair Hours
Monday - Friday: opens at 12 Noon
Saturday, Sunday & Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: opens at 10AM

Exhibit/Building Hours
Monday - Friday: Noon - 10PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10AM - 10PM
(Closes at 8:00 pm on January 31st)

Exposition Building
Monday - Friday: Noon - 10PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10AM - 10PM
(Closes at 8:00 pm on January 31st)

Midway
Opens 1 hour after gate opening
Closes at 11PM Sunday - Thursday, 12 Midnight on Friday & Saturday

Yesteryear Village
Monday - Friday: Noon - 10PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10AM - 10PM

Information Booths
Monday - Friday: Noon - 10PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10AM - 10PM

Food concessions and outdoor exhibitors
Monday - Friday: Opens at Noon
Saturday & Sunday: Opens at 10PM
Closes at 11PM Sunday - Thursday, 12 Midnight on Friday & Saturday

Entertainment

The Fair provides top-notch entertainment throughout all three weeks of its run - check out what's coming up!

Coca-Cola Stage:
TENTH AVENUE NORTH Sunday, January 17 8PM
HOOBASTANK Tuesday, January 19 8PM
EMERSON DRIVE Wednesday, January 20 8PM
THE GUESS WHO Thursday, January 21 8PM
ROCK TRIBUTE BAND COMPETITION Saturday, January 23 2PM
THE RAT PACK NOW Monday, January 25 1PM
THE BUCKINGHAMS Tuesday, January 26 7:30PM
THE GRASSROOTS Tuesday, January 26 7:30PM
BROTHERS OSBORNE Wednesday, January 27 8PM
STARSHIP WITH MICKEY THOMAS Thursday, January 28 8PM

Community Stage:
VOCAL TRASH January 15-19
STARZ OF THE FUTURE, Winner Takes All January 22-24
DENNIS LEE January 25-31
LOCAL BANDS
-Friday, January 15
--Big Medicine Band
-Saturday, January 16
--Alex Shaw and the Classic Rock Revival Band
--The Crush Band
-Sunday, January 17
--I-95 Latin Band
--JP Soars & the Red Hots Band
-Monday, January 18
--Prodigee
-Tuesday, January 19
--The Helmsmen
-Wednesday, January 20
--Casey Raines Country Rock
-Thursday, January 21
--Elegant Mess Band
-Monday, January 25
--The Cravens
-Tuesday, January 26
--Raggy Monster Band
-Wednesday, January 27
--Andrew Morris Band
-Thursday, January 28
--Knockdown Band
-Friday, January 29
--Orange Sunshine Band
-Saturday, January 30
--T-Wave Band
--Alex Shaw and the Classic Rock Revival Band
--Spred The Dub
Expo East Stage:
TYZEN "Hypnosis That Rocks" Show January 15-31, 2016
Miss South Florida Fair Scholarship Pageant Saturday, January 16, 2016
Impersonators
-FRANKIE & ANNETTE in Palm Beach Party Friday, January 22 2PM & 4 PM
-CELINE DION Tuesday, January 26 3PM & 7PM
-JIMMY BUFFETT TRIO Friday, January 29 2PM & 4PM
The Big Bang Spectacular
-Friday, January 15
-Sunday, January 17
-Saturday, January 30
-Sunday, January 31
Dance Arts Conservatory Sunday, January 17 Noon & 4PM
Maltz Jupiter Theatre Youth Touring Company Monday, January 18 Noon & 4PM
The Mark Doyle Trio +1 Tuesday, January 19 3PM
The Saxophonics Thursday, January 21 & Thursday, January 28 3PM
Ruby Hummingbird - Harp Lady Monday, January 25 2:30PM
Young Singers of The Palm Beaches Friday, January 29 7PM

Ford Theater:
TROPICS ON ICE Every Day

2015 South Florida Fair

I have my advance tickets, the ride trailers are all lining up, and the cars have been loaded on the Sky Ride - It's time for the fair!

The South Florida Fair has been happening since (can you believe it?) 1912, and this year runs from January 16 - February 1. The theme this year at the Expo Center is LAS VEGAS! Guests will be greeted with the traditional sand sculpture, this year in the form of the Vegas strip, and a mini fountain show with lights and music, along with overhead acrobatic performances and ice skating shows. There will be a tiger encounter, and also shows with fantastic impersonators of Vegas' legendary performers.

One of our favorite things at the fairgrounds is Yesteryear Village. You can visit year-round, but it's fully staffed and stocked during the fair, and just a fantastic experience, a glimpse into the past, with plenty of informative exhibits, building, and people to help explain it all.

Wade Shows is again the king of the midway, and with their love of carnival rides, everything should be spectacular as usual - no burned out lights here! You can find a complete list of rides here.

2015 Prices

Advance tickets are available through the day before opening at Publix, BB&T, Bud's, TD Bank, and online. Prices are as follows:

Adults (12+): $10 ($15 at gate)
Seniors (60+): $7 ($9 at gate)
Children (5-11): $5 ($8 at gate)
Children 5 and under get in for FREE.
Ride/Wristband: $20 ($25 at gate)

And, as always, you can use your advance ticket on opening night AND one other day!

There are coupons available, too - you can find those here.

2015 South Florida Fair Hours

General Fair Hours
Monday - Friday: opens at 12 Noon
Saturday, Sunday & Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: opens at 10AM

Exhibit&Building Hours
Monday - Friday: 12 Noon - 10PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10AM - 10PM (Exhibits and buildings close at 8PM on February 1st)

Exposition Building
Monday - Friday: 12 Noon - 10PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10AM - 10PM (Exposition building closes at 8PM on February 1st)

Midway
Opens 1 hour after gate opening
Sunday - Thursday: closes at 11PM
Friday & Saturday: closes at 12 Midnight

Yesteryear Village
Monday - Friday: 12 Noon - 10PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10AM - 10PM

Information Booths
Monday - Friday: 12 Noon - 10PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10AM - 10PM

Food concessions and outdoor exhibitors
Monday - Friday: opens at 12 Noon
Saturday & Sunday: opens at 10AM
Sunday - Thursday: closes at 11PM
Friday & Saturday: 12 midnight

2015 Entertainment

As usual, the fair has a little something for everyone. A full schedule can be found on the South Florida Fair website, but I'll post a few highlights here. All shows listed are free unless otherwise noted.

Coca-Cola Stage:
SANCTUS REAL with opening act Hawk Nelson: Sunday, January 18, 7:00 PM
JOSH THOMPSON: Tuesday, January 20, 8:00 PM
HINDER: Wednesday, January 21, 8:00 PM
FOGHAT: Thursday, January 22, 8:00 PM
THE LEROY VAN DYKE COUNTRY GOLD TOUR: Monday, January 26, 2:00 PM

PUDDLE OF MUDD: Tuesday, January 27, 8:00 PM
DAN + SHAY: Wednesday, January 28, 8:00 PM
ELVIS EXTRAVAGANZA: Thursday, January 29, 8:00 PM

Stardust Theater:
DALE K, Seriously Funny Hypnosis Show: January 16-25
MISS SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT: Saturday, January 17

Ford Theater:
LAS VEGAS ON ICE: every day

Community Stage:
ORANGE SUNSHINE BAND: January 16-19
STARZ OF THE FUTURE, Winner Takes All: January 23-25
DENNIS LEE: January 26-February 1

Yesteryear Village:
JIMMY RIFFLE OF THE GATOR BOYS & HIS ROAD SHOW CREW Presents "Scales, Tails & Teeth": January 28-30
RON DAVIS: January 23-February 1
THE HITCHITI DANCERS: Weekends & MLK Day

There's always way more going on than I can share here, so be sure to check the South Florida Fair website for more details, other activities and any changes! See you at the fair!

2014 South Florida Fair

Another January in South Florida, another Fair, and I can't wait to go! This theme of the South Florida Fair this year is "New York", and it runs from Friday, January 17 through Sunday, February 2. Visitors to the Exhibition Hall will be treated to a sand sculpture of the Statue of Liberty, a made-from-cans Empire State Building, and ice shows choreographed to your favorite Broadway tunes.

Wade shows is back for the midway, and - this is cool - there's a pre-opening ride-a-thon from 5PM to 10PM on Thursday, January 16. Tickets are $15, but there's a $5 South Florida Fair discount coupon here. For a list of rides, check out Wade Shows' website. Of special note is the South Florida Fair's flagship roller coaster, the Pinfari RC-48, is the only one in the world!

2014 Prices

Advance discount tickets are available online, as well as at Publix, BB&T, TD Bank, and Bud's through January 16th. The discount prices are as follows:

$10 Adult Admission ($15 at gate)
$5 Child Admission ($8 at gate)
Kids 5 and under get in FREE!
$7 Senior Admission ($9 at gate)
$89 Mega Saver (4 Any Day Admission, 2 Weekday Ride/Wristband Vouchers, 4 $5 Food Tickets, SAVE $41!)
$20 Ride/Wristband Voucher ($35 at gate)

And, my favorite thing about advance tickets, you can use it a second day if you use it on opening night!

Other ways to save:

GULFSTREAM GOODWILL Buy One Get One FREE Wednesdays
Buy one regular adult admission ticket, get one free; get tickets at any Goodwill Retail store, or on their website.

BIKE NIGHT - Thursday, January 25
Arrive on motorcyle before 6PM, ride in the motorcycle parade, get in for $5

SENIOR DAYS - Monday, January 27
All day, 60 and over pay only $5

AMERICA HEROES' DAY - Tuesday, January 28
Active Military, Veterans, Firefighters, Law Enforcement Personnel & their families pay only $7 each, plus get ride discounts at the Wells Fargo booth

2014 Hours

General admission hours are as follows:
Monday - Friday: opens at 12 Noon
Saturday, Sunday & Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: opens at 10AM
Most attractions close at 10PM

Midway hours:
Opens 1 hour after gate opening
Closes at 11PM Sunday - Thursday, 12 Midnight on Friday & Saturday

For more detailed information. visit the South Florida Fair website.

2014 Concerts & Shows

General seating is free with your fair admission!

Coca-Cola Stage:
CRAIG MORGAN - Tuesday, January 21 - 8PM - Reserved Seating: $10
CASSADEE POPE - Wednesday, January 22 - 8PM - Reserved Seating: $10
EDDIE MONEY - Thursday, January 23 - 8PM - Reserved Seating: $10
THE LEROY VAN DYKE COUNTRY GOLD TOUR - Monday, January 27 - 2 PM - Reserved Seating: $10
Featuring Leroy Van Dyke, Lynn Anderson, Bobby Bare and T.G. Sheppard
THE SWON BROTHERS - Tuesday, January 28 - 8PM - Reserved Seating: $10
THE LONE BELLOW - Wednesday, January 29 - 8PM - Reserved Seating: $10
THE FAB FOUR - Thursday, January 30 - 8PM - Reserved Seating: $10
BROOKE EDEN - Sunday, January 19 - 7:30PM

More information on these concerts can be found at the South Florida Fair website.

Ford Theatre, Expo Stage & Grounds:
CATHERINE HICKLAND HYPNOTIST - every day
NEW YORK ON ICE - every day
HAM BONE EXPRESS PIG RACES - every day
HIGH DIVE SHOW - every day
JIMMY RIFFLE OF THE GATOR BOYS PRESENTS SCALES, TAILS AND TEETH ALLIGATOR ROAD SHOW - January 22-24 & January 29-31
DIVAS ON BROADWAY - January 27-February 2
10TH ANNUAL FLORIDA MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - February 1 & 2
BIKE NITE PARADE - January 23
SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR PARADES - Sundays at 1PM, Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6:30PM
HIGH VOLTAGE STREET BREAKZ - every day
PETTING ZOO & PONY RIDES - every day
OSCAR THE ROBOT - every day
PALM BEACH MODEL RAILROAD CLUB - every day

More information on these shows can be found at the South Florida Fair website.

2013 South Florida Fair

It's January, and here in Palm Beach County that means FAIR TIME! This years South Florida Fair runs from Friday, January 18 through Sunday, February 3. The theme this year is "Washington, D.C., Our Nation's Capital", and the highlight of the exhibition is a huge replica of a portion of the Air Force One used by Presidents Kennedy through Reagan. Visitors will also be treated to the Oval Office - with a photo op at the President's desk, a tribute to past Presidents, and a display of gowns worn by First Ladies amid other Presidential memorabilia.

Wade Shows returns as the provider of midway rides, and we'll certainly be there to see what new rides they have to offer. Scroll down to our older update to read about Wade's love of amusement rides!

2013 Prices

Discounted tickets to the South Florida Fair are available online and at Publix, BB&T, TD Bank, and Bud's through January 17th. The discount prices are as follows:

$10 Adult Admission ($15 at gate)
$5 Child Admission ($8 at gate)
$7 Senior Admission ($9 at gate)
$89 Mega Saver (4 Any Day Admission, 2 Weekday Ride/Wristband Vouchers, 4 $5 Food Tickets, SAVE $41!)
$20 Ride/Wristband Voucher ($35 at gate)

As always, if you use your advance ticket on opening night, you can return another day for free!

And don't forget Senior Days!

January 28 - $5 Admission ALL DAY for Seniors!
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays - $7 Admission for Seniors!

2013 Concerts and Shows

General seating is free with your admission to the South Florida Fair. Reserved seating is $10, tickets are available here.

Pepsi Stage:
January 22 - 7:30 PM - Justin Lynch
January 24 - 8 PM - Jackyl
January 26 - 2 PM-9 PM - 4th Annual Classic Rock Tribute Band Competition
January 29 - 8 PM - Tenth Avenue North
January 28 - 3 PM - The Leroy Van Dyke Country Gold Tour
January 30 - 7 PM - The Price Is Right - LIVE!

Ford Theater:
Daily - America On Ice

Expo East Stage:
January 19 - 4 PM - Miss South Florida Fair Scholarship Pageant
January 26 - Meet Author James Patterson
January 27 - 3:30 PM - Girl Scout Cookie Eating Contest
February 2 - 11 AM - Baby Beautiful Contest
February 2 - 1 PM - Twins Contest
January 18, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30, and February 2 - Gulfstream Goodwill Fashion Show
Daily - The Game Show
Daily - Mark Yuzuik, Master Hypnotist

Sun Sentinel Community Stage:
January 18-22 - Gary Roland and the Landsharks Band
January 18 - E.S.P. Band
January 19 - Emily Brooke
January 19 - Brooke Eden & The Devil's Cut Band
January 20 - Dusty Road Rangers
January 20 - Alex Shaw Band
January 23 - Roger Rossi & Class Action
January 23 - Midnight Rodeo
January 24 - The Sally Bennet Big Band Hall Of Fame Orchestra
January 24 - The Charron Band
January 25 - Sha-Boom
January 25-27 - Starz of the Future Winner Takes All! Competition
January 28-February 2 - The Dennis Lee Show
January 29 - The Samantha Russell Band
January 30 - Second Chance Band
January 31 - Panic Disorder
February 2 - Jess Taylor
February 3 - The Pied Piper of Percussion

Grounds Attractions:
Daily - Ham Bone Express pig racing
Daily - Elephant Encounter
Daily - The Firefighter Training Show

2012 South Florida Fair

It's that time of year again - the fair is coming to town! The South Florida Fair is one of the events I look forward to every year, and this year is no exception. The fair runs from January 13-29 this year, and the theme is "100 Years", featuring displays and exhibits from years past. Special centennial events include a pre-opening Ride-a-Thon on January 12; opening ceremonies on January 13th; and the "Party of the Century" on January 14th, with a cocktail reception and catered dinner buffet (reservations required).

Wade Shows is back for a sixth year. Scroll to the bottom of the page to our older update to read about the love that Wade has for amusement rides. You're sure to see rides at the South Florida Fair that are not found elsewhere, and it's one of the reasons we even go!

Discounted tickets are available here through January 12th. The regular (and I LOVE this) use-your-ticket-opening-night-and-come-another-day-for-free is in effect! Senior Days are every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during the fair, when admission for seniors (60+) is $7 .

South Florida Fair 2012 Prices
Adult $15
Child ages 6-11 $8
Senior (60+) $9
Ride Wristband M-F $25 (not including admission)
Ride Wristband Sat-Sun $35 (not including admission)
Ride Ticket $1
We noticed no discount for bulk ride ticket purchases, 1 ticket was $1, 20 tickets are $20. Rides start at 3 tickets, most rides are 5 or 6.

Monday, January 23rd is Special Senior Day - only $5 admission for seniors!

South Florida Fair 2012 Shows and Concerts:

General seating at these shows is included with your fair admission. Reserved seating is available here.

JOHN ANDERSON - FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
AARON LEWIS - Acoustic Solo - TUESDAY, JANUARY 17
NEW FOUND GLORY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18
JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY - THURSDAY, JANUARY 19
FUEL - FRIDAY, JANUARY 20
COLT FORD - TUESDAY, JANUARY 24
ELI YOUNG BAND - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD - THURSDAY, JANUARY 26

Tickets for the following shows include fair admission and can be purchased here.

Sunday, January 15 â€¢ 2:00 p.m - MIA Fest featuring Luis Enrique, Chino & Nacho, Tairon Aguilera, Puerto Rican Salsa Project, DJ Mate, DJ Richard G., DJ Abby, DJ O.D. Blaze and MUCH MORE!!!

Sunday, January 22 at 4:00 p.m - Larry Hernandez in Concert with Alerta Zero & El Triangulo de Oro

See you at the Fair!

2011 South Florida Fair

The 2011 South Florida Fair is January 14-30. This year's South Florida Fair theme is "Really Cool Stuff" which focuses on science, technology, space and the environment. There's the Agrium Seed Survivor exhibit with virtual reality games, seed plantings, and a watershed center. The Wyland Waters Extreme Journey maze turns you into a drop of water, traveling from the sky to the sea.

Wade Shows provides the midway for the fifth year in a row. Scroll to the bottom of the page, in our older update, to read about the love that Wade has for amusement rides. You're sure to see rides at the South Florida Fair that are not found elsewhere.

Discount South Florida Fair tickets are available online through January 14th. The discounts are the same as last year. The discounted fair tickets are also available at Publix.

South Florida Fair 2011 Prices
Adult $15
Child ages 6-11 $8
Senior (60+) $9
Ride Wristband M-F $25 (not including admission)
Ride Wristband Sat-Sun $35 (not including admission)
Ride Ticket $1
We noticed no discount for bulk ride ticket purchases, 1 ticket was $1, 20 tickets are $20. Rides start at 3 tickets, most rides are 5 or 6.

South Florida Fair 2011 Shows and Concerts:

General seating is free with fair admission, reserved seating is available for $10. Reserved tickets are available here.

Saving Abel 1/14 Fri 8pm
Jerrod Niemann 1/18 Tue 7:30p
The Band Perry 1/19 Wed 7:30p
Kansas 1/20 Thu 7:30p
Tenth Avenue North 1/25 Tue 7:30p
The Used 1/26 Wed 7:30p
Travis Tritt Acoustic 1/27 Thu 7:30p

Jan 14 Fiesta Mexicana Friday (Mexican Band Battle)
Jan 14-17 Yesterdayze
Jan 17 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebration
Jan 18 Palm Beach County Chapter Barbershop Quartet
Jan 19 Ben Grisafi & The Sally Bennett Big Band Hall of Fame Orchestra
Jan 20-23 Starz of the Future Competitions
Jan 20 Bike Nite Parade
Jan 20 Roger Rossi & Class Action
Jan 21 Hurricane Harmonizers
Jan 24 SENIOR DAY Sha-Boom / Les Mack & The Southern Gents
Jan 25-30 Dennis Lee
Jan 28 Fiesta Mexicana Friday (Mexican Band Battle)
Jan 29-30 7th Annual Florida Matchplay Championship

Every Day: Bella Luna Cirque
Every Day: Nerveless Nock's Extreme Aerial & Motorcycle Stunt Show
Every Day: Extreme Canine Stunt Dog Show
Every Day: Kandu Magic Show
Weekends: Tyzen Master of Laughter - Hypnosis Show

2010 South Florida Fair
The 2010 South Florida Fair is January 15-31. This year's theme is America's National Parks. Discount tickets are available online until January 14th. The discounts are substantial, particularly on adult tickets, which are $10 advance versus $15 at the gate. You can pick these up at Publix as well. Discounted wristband vouchers are also available, they are priced at $20 advance versus $25 at the fair. There's also a "Mega Saver" priced at a $89 dollars. The big price gets you a lot of fair - 4 admissions, 2 wristbands, and four $5 food tickets. That's more than $40 cheaper than buying these items individually at the fair.

The National Parks theme should fit really well, since the South Florida Fair is more outdoorsy than the average fair, due to Yesteryear Village (Yesteryear Village alone is worth the price of fair admission). Exhibits planned for the National Parks theme include an 8 foot saltwater aquarium and a replica of the Boca Chita lighthouse in Biscayne National Park, a 25 foot waterfall representing Yosemite, a 35 foot replica of a giant Sequoia tree, a working replica of Old Faithful, and quite a bit more! It should be really fun and interesting.

2009 South Florida Fair
The South Florida Fair is back again this year with the super superb Wade Shows midway! The schedule of events is too long to list here, you'll have to roll over to www.southfloridafair.com if you want to see the events and discounts for 09. You can see pictures of the midway at the Wade Shows website.

Making a return appearance is the Pinfari RC-48 roller coaster, the largest mobile roller coaster in the US. In 2008, Wade Show purchased this from Morey's Pier in New Jersey and the South Florida Fair was its first use since 2004. Wade also introduces their new Wisdom Drag Strip Mega Slide , the largest US-made portable slide. The gigantic 8 lane slide is 160' long, over 70' tall, and travels on two 53 foot trailers.

Original article
The South Florida Fair comes to West Palm Beach for three weeks every January and it is absolutely a can't-miss event. There's everything you'd expect at a country fair (from pig racing and mechanical bull riding to arts and crafts), plus a huge midway full of rides and games, a huge exhibition hall with a different theme every year, and a dozen smaller exhibition halls. From historic Yesteryear Village to the 80+ ride midway with its cutting-edge rides and the huge kiddie midway, saying that the South Florida Fair offers something exciting for all ages is not just delivering a sound bite, it's the damn truth.

The main Exposition Center hosts vendors and exhibits with a different theme each year. Smaller exhibition buildings house more vendors and craftspeople, and also a local favorite - the HO scale model railroad room. Animals are everywhere, with contests for the biggest and best, as well as contests for cooking and crafting, and the annual Miss South Florida Fair pageant. A trip into Yesteryear Village takes you back in time through various eras in local history, featuring dozens of restored local historic buildings and houses, with volunteers in period garb to answer all of your questions. The kids love the tractors, steam engines, and fire engines! Yesteryear Village is a fixed part of the fairgrounds and is open year round.

In 2006, Wade Shows replaced Conklin Shows as the midway provider and the fair has never been better! Aside from the large number of rides (almost 90!) in all shapes, sizes, and styles, the units were all immaculate, bright, clean, freshly-painted, and all illumination fully functional. I can't stress enough how impressed I was with the quality and maintenance of the rides. In addition, many had descriptive signs explaining the origins of the rides. The array of rides was just amazing, too - tame kiddie rides (also in near-perfect condition and upkeep) walk-through funhouses and dark rides, the spinning roller coaster Crazy Mouse, and many of the gut-churning "big spinning arms on huge bolted pylons" rides like Spin Out, Space Loop, and the aptly-named Freak Out. A true connoisseur of rides, Wade's owner even brought in Jimmy Drew's one-of-a-kind Seattle Wheel, a 90 foot tall fully restored 15 car Ferris Wheel from the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Wade pulls together an incredibly well-thought array of rides for this midway and the quality really shines.

And the food... do I need to go into the food? Standard fair fare, with all manner of fried dough, enormous turkey legs, anything you could imagine battered and fried, ice cream, frozen bananas, yummy yummy grilled corn, Mexican-inspired arepas...the list is seemingly endless. It's fun to see the gimmicks the different vendors use to entice the hungry patron - maybe a large tent-covered picnic area or perhaps an animated singing stuffed pig! A new addition this year was a booth serving beer and mixed drinks (at prices not much higher than a local bar), and another offering frozen rumrunners and magaritas.

Throughout the fair you can catch performances by local talent as well as national acts. Information on the shows and events is available at www.southfloridafair.com, there's just too much for me to type.

Admission is $15 for adults and $8

Pinecrest Gardens

I honestly can't believe that I haven't written about Pinecrest Gardens before! I was there many times when it was Parrot Jungle (founded in 1936!), and the gardens themselves were just as interesting as the birds. Parrot Jungle (now Jungle Island) moved to an Watson Island on the MacArthur Causeway in 2002, leaving the historic gardens behind. The property was soon purchased by the Village of Pinecrest, and turned into a public park.

The grounds of Pinecrest Gardens are truly amazing, with varied and beautiful plants all around the nature paths carved through the original coral. Solution holes filled with water and fish are scattered throughout the park. The trees and plants are native and astounding. There are still remnants of the old Parrot Jungle, and that's part of the fun, trying to remember what animals and birds were housed where. Also, there are now signs at some chosen sites, with QR codes to scan for an audio description of the area.

Originally, admission to the gardens was free of charge, and there were no amenities aside from restrooms. Now, there is a splash park for the kids, a petting zoo (wasn't real impressed with the condition of the animals, sadly), and snack stands. I'll be honest, I preferred it when it was still just a plain botanic garden, but I do understand the need to attract guests. A visit won't take a full day, but it's definitely worth a stop if you're in the area - we went after visiting Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. There was a farmer's market happening in the parking lot on the day we visited - it's a weekly Sunday event - and there are other events and entertainment throughout the year.

Pinecrest Gardens is open from 10AM to 5PM Monday through Friday, and 9AM to 5PM on weekends, with hours extended until 6PM during the spring and summer. General admission is $5, seniors get in for $3, and members of the military visit free.