The Ultimate Tip Guide For The Florida State Fair
It’s that time of year! The Florida State Fair is taking place at the Florida State Fairgrounds (4800 US Hwy. 301 N., Tampa) from February 8-19. Everyone knows the best…
It's that time of year! The Florida State Fair is taking place at the Florida State Fairgrounds (4800 US Hwy. 301 N., Tampa) from February 8-19. Everyone knows the best part about the Florida State Fair is the amazing (and sometimes ridiculous) food creations. Whether it's your first year going, or want to make the most out of your experience, we put together a few Florida State Fair tips to remember.
The Florida State Fair is open daily from February 8-19. Entry gates open at 11 a.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m. Friday-Sunday & Presidents Day. Weekday tickets cost $6 for kids (ages 6-11) on the weekdays and $11 on the weekends. Adults will have to pay $12 on weekdays and $16 on weekends. Click here to see the 2024 discount days. If you like the thrill of the fair rides, an armband to get you unlimited access to all the rides is $27 for weekdays and $42 for weekends. You can also buy individual tickets if you are only interested in one ride. Click here for more info. Parking is free for fair attendees and there are three entrances to the fairgrounds: Orient Road, Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, and US Hwy 301.
What's New At The Fair?
Some new events are taking place at the fair this year that you don't want to miss. There will be a silent disco on February 9-10 ONLY. There will also be a concert featuring country sister duo Tigirlily Gold on February 10 ONLY. And don't forget the fireworks only happen on opening and closing weekends (Feb 9-10 and 17-18).
Here Are Some Tips On Going To The Florida State Fair
- Take a day off of work and go during the week. (but look out for the fair school days) - The best way to experience the Florida State Fair is to go during the weekday. We know everyone can't take off work, but if you can, it's highly recommended. Also, look out for the designated county school days, otherwise, it will be just as busy as going on a weekend.
- The Amish donuts are a MUST - Let's be real, all the food is really good. But we think about those Amish Donuts year-round.
The glaze dripping off the doughnuts is hypnotizing.
Speaking of eating... Here's what's new on the menu at the Florida State Fair
A Pop Rocks Pickle and 4 Other Strange 2024 Florida State Fair Foods
The Florida State Fair opens February 8 and runs through February 19th at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. It's that time of year when it's time to finally do away with those New Year's resolutions. Counting calories is strictly forbidden and carbs are king. This year, there are the usual things on the menu like cotton candy, popcorn, deep fried Twinkies, pizza, turkey legs and fried dough. And there's no fair in Florida where you won't find gator nuggets for the adventurous eater.
For those with a sweet tooth, there are some creative new items to hunt down. I will definitely find the Oreo Cookie Cinnamon Bun that Cinnamon Saloon is serving up this year. What an awesome combination of words. And with the Barbie movie being so popular, Paulette's Food Service has created the Barbie Funnel Cake. It's got pink icing, powdered sugar and various kinds of sprinkles.
But how about those really weird fair foods? The ones that you dare someone to try. There are always a handful of strange, weird and cringeworthy creations at the Florida State Fair. 2024 will be no different. Pickles are being incorporated into pizza and Pop Rocks. For those who love doughnut burgers, there's the next level with honey buns and cheese curds. And Mama Jane, famous for her creations on the cable TV show Carnival Eats is back with a new savory funnel cake that is a big departure from the usual.
Let's dive in. Here are the 5 oddest fair foods that'll raise your eyebrows when you wander around the 2024 Florida State Fair. Then you can see more things on the Florida State Fair menu that sound a bit more appealing if you're not the type that dips your dill pickle in chocolate.
Cheddar Pickle Crunch Pizza
Courtesy of the Florida State FairPickles on a pizza isn't new. It has definitely gained in popularity since it went viral a few years ago. I tried it in studio once and was surprised how good it was. To be honest I haven't tried it again since, but it's not as bad as it sounds! Pizza Emporium has decided to up the weird by using a cheddar ranch drizzle and Goldfish Crackers! People have debated toppings like anchovies and pineapple on pizza for years. But I don't think anyone ever thought of Goldfish Crackers until now.
Apple Fries with a Twist
Courtesy of the Florida State FairI am down to try an apple dessert anytime anywhere. I can't believe I've still yet to have apple fries. I first read about them at Legoland years ago. Maybe this will be my year. These though have a definite unique twist as they're adding bacon, Ghirardelli caramel and peanut butter powder on top. If that's enough, you're done. But you can also add ice cream.
Honey Bunny Curd Burger
Courtesy of the Florida State FairThe doughnut burger has been done. So Shockley's Food Service decided to up the ante by using two honey buns to cradle their burger with a melted blanket of cheese curds.
Temperamental Hog Funnel Cake
Courtesy of the Florida State Fair"Mama Jane" Harris from The Best Around has been seen on the TV show Carnival Eats countless times. Her Funnel Bacon on a Stick is legendary at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City. But for the Florida State Fair this year, she created a new savory funnel cake with pulled pork on a funnel cake with cornmeal and a BBQ seasoning rub to give it some crunch. You can opt for one of 3 temperatures... happy (sweet), angry (hot) or furious (super hot). Top it with cream cheese! I had Mama Jane on my podcast "Geno Ate Tampa" to talk about her new creations for both the Florida State Fair and this year's Strawberry Festival. Check it out on Apple Podcasts.
Pop Rock Pickle
Courtesy of the Florida State FairThis is probably the Florida State Fair Food that's turning the most heads. Shockley's Food Service is actually giving you 3 choices. You can get your chocolate-dipped kosher dill pickle wrapped in Pop Rocks like you see on the right. Or they're serving them up like you see on the left with Flaming Hot Cheetos. That one in the middle? Those are Fruity Pebbles! Odd. Very odd.
Pickle Ranch Loaded French Fries
Courtesy of the Florida State FairApparently pickles are all the rage this year huh? Chester's is known for their gator bites, but this year you can pair 'em with a side of fries topped with cheddar, bacon and a pickle ranch sauce.
Oreo Cookie Cinnamon Bun
Courtesy of the Florida State FairOK this is the one you saw me mention earlier. This one will be a must-try for me. Introducing Oreos to a cinnamon bun is pure genius. Way to go to the Cinnamon Saloon for dreaming up this one.
Jalapeño Lemonade
Courtesy of the Florida State FairAn interesting twist for lemonade. Give it a spicy kick with a hint of jalapeno. This one is done by Coastal Concessions.
Strawberry Shortcake Kebab
Courtesy of the Florida State FairThis one sounds like it's ideal for Plant City. I LOVE the combination of strawberry and lemon in my desserts. DeAnna's Fried Banana Pudding has created these kebabs using mini donuts and a lemon infused honey. You can also have it dipped in chocolate.
Barbie Funnel Cake
Courtesy of the Florida State FairHere's the most 2024 creation of all the 2024 Florida State Fair Foods. Barbie is everywhere after last year's movie and Paulette's Food Service is capitalizing with this creation. The Barbie Funnel Cake is topped with all things sweet and sparkly... powdered sugar, pink icing and two kinds of sprinkles.
Florida Quesadilla
Courtesy of the Florida State FairI told you there's no escaping alligator foods at the Florida State Fair. Gator nuggets inside a quesadilla with salsa and sour cream sound good? Look for Mexican Grill's truck to try this one.
BBQ Fried Burrito
Courtesy of the Florida State FairLow N Slow Catering came up with this one. It's barbecue pulled pork with mac & cheese stuffed into a burrito. And then you guessed it, they deep fry that sucker and toss on some BBQ sauce after. I'm totally down to try this one.
Lemonade Funnel Cake
Courtesy of the Florida State FairOK, enough of the weird and strange. Let's look at some other ideas that caught my attention on the menu this year at the Florida State Fair. Craving lemonade but kind of hungry for a funnel cake? Well here ya go. Topscan Funnel Cakes came up with this one.
Poutine Burger
Courtesy of the Florida State FairI've been to Montreal many times. Poutine is a cold weather comfort food staple in Canada. I LOVE cheese curds and fries... it's just that I'm not a gravy fan. But if you are, this one from DeAnna's will be right up your alley.
Spicy Korean Corndog
Courtesy of the Florida State FairCorndogs are one of the fair foods you see everywhere. But these from Seivers Smokehouse Grill are rolled in crushed spicy hot Cheetos. Cool, or hot, idea.
Waffle Chicken Sandwich
Courtesy of the Florida State FairChicken and waffles is a Florida breakfast staple. The Bean Bar Co steps it up with a pepperjack cheese to give it a spicy kick. Throw in a couple eggs and get some Cuban coffee to go with it.
Bacon Waffle Cheeseburger
Courtesy of the Florida State FairBurgers, bacon and waffles? That's a great combo. Macken's Sliders is serving these with a pearl sugar baked into the waffle.
Banana Cream Pie Nachos
Courtesy of the Florida State FairThis one's got my name all over it. I love banana flavored desserts. This one form Rosie's Nachos has flour tortilla chips with cinnamon sugar, banana pudding, graham cracker crumbs and of course bananas.
Bang Bang Tacos
Courtesy of the Florida State FairSeasoned Green came up with this one for vegetarians. It's fried cauliflower, oyster mushroom (or vegan shrimp) tossed in with their Bang Bang sauce. You can get it in a flour or corn tortilla. They top it with an Asian slaw, vegan creama, cilantro, green onions and chili pepper.
Campfire Dog
Courtesy of the Florida State FairDeAnna's is mostly known for their Donut Burger. But this hotdog with baked beans and applewood bacon sounds pretty amazing. Looks good too doesn't it?
Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Iced Tea
Courtesy of the Florida State FairTiki Tea is serving up their freshly brewed iced tea that's flavored with tastes you definitely don't associate with iced tea. The drink is topped with 3 chocolate dipped strawberries.
