South Florida Fair

17 Days of Pure Fun
January in The Palm Beaches turns up the volume fun-wise when the South Florida Fair rolls into town. One of the top fairs in Florida, this fried-foods, tribute-band, dance-party extravaganza packs 17 days of pure delights with the thermostat set at perfect fair-going temperatures: 70s during the day and 60s at night. 

For more than 100 years, the South Florida Fair has been entertaining people at the South Florida Fairgrounds. The Palm Beach County fair event draws in hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists alike. In 2018, dozens of big-name concerts rocked the fair scene including Grammy winner Matthew West, Grand Funk Railroad, Chris Lane, Atlanta Rhythm Section and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. In all, visitors experienced more than 200 carnival games, thrilling amusement rides, and the best fair food in the region to fill their winter vacation days. 

Rides, Rides, Rides
New in 2018 was the Midway Sky Eye, a 155-foot-high portable observation wheel (North America’s largest!) with 36 gondolas for amazing views and romantic cuddles. Little ones can enjoy rides on Bulgy the Whale, Kiddie Bumper Boats, (tiny) Monster Trucks and dozens more while the teenagers get their thrills on the MegaDrop, Alpine Bobs, Zombie Apocalypse and dozens more spinning, whirling rides.

Fantastic Fair Food
When you’re not spinning and whirling, sink your teeth into the sweetness of a doughnut and the salty goodness of a burger in one bite with a Porky’s Doughnut Burger. Or why not cross breakfast and lunch into one tasty treat with Bianco’s Frosted Flakes Chicken on a Stick? Had enough of made-for-the-fair fare? There’s also a New Orleans Food Court where you’ll find Louisiana favorites like Bourbon chicken, jambalaya and even a crawfish boil. Finish it all off New Orleans-style with some tasty, freshly fried beignets.

Parades, Cover Bands and Racing Pigs
Daily parades, including the “New Orleans on Ice” Ice Parades Show, transport visitors to Mardi Gras and dazzle them with ice-skating moves. On Saturday, January 27, the best rock tribute bands competed, including Crush N’ Roses (a Guns N’ Roses tribute band), Smokin’ (for fans of Boston) and ZZ’s Best (an homage to ZZ Top). Just about anything goes at the South Florida Fair: Pigs literally fly around the racetrack at pork-defying speeds in pursuit of a handful of Oreos at the daily Hambone Express 3 event.

More Events at the South Florida Fairgrounds 
Florida’s rich history comes to life at Yesteryear Village within the South Florida Fairgrounds year ‘round. Whether you’re visiting during the South Florida Fair or not, spend a few hours exploring life as it was before 1940 as told by live period actors in original and replicated buildings including an old schoolhouse, a farm, a blacksmith shop, general store and period homes. The village is open year-round Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fast cars, cocktails and live music bring thousands of people together each April at the South Florida Fairgrounds for the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction. This event showcases millions of dollars’ worth of beautifully restored classic cars.

Beyond the South Florida Fair
The South Florida Fairgrounds aren’t far from Royal Palm Beach Pines Natural Area, where you can enjoy the more peaceful surroundings of 350 acres that are home to white ibis, red-tailed hawks and great blue herons once the sights and sounds of the fair have tired your family out.

Just a little farther west of the South Florida Fairgrounds, lions, rhinos, zebras and giraffes roam the Lion Country Safari park. America’s first drive-through wildlife preserve, it allows up-close experiences often only found on African safaris.

Visit the South Florida Fair website