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 extravaganza of fried foods, tribute bands, dance parties and great rides packs in 17 days of pure delight with the thermostat set at perfect fair-going temperatures: 70s during the day and 60s at night.  The theme for 2020 will be "Play Ball, Play Fair!" and will be a celebration of popular sports in The Palm Beaches.

For more than 100 years, the South Florida Fair has been drawing big crowds at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Each year, hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists alike stream in to experience an eye-popping array of rides and games, live entertainment on four stages and the best fair food in the region.

Rides, Rides, Rides
With more than 200 rides, games and attractions, there's fun for everyone at this Palm Beach County fair. Little ones can take a spin on mini-Monster Trucks, the Dragon Wagon, Wacky Worm Coaster and dozens more rides in Lil' Pardner Land, while the big kids can get their thrills on the Mega Drop, Cliff Hanger, Zero Gravity and other spinning, whirling, white-knuckle rides.

Fantastic Fair Food
When you're not zooming through the air, 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 combine breakfast and lunch into one tasty treat with Bianco’s Frosted Flakes Chicken on a Stick? Of course that's just a small sampling of the deep-fried, gut-busting goodies you'll find at this year's fair. 

Parades, Cover Bands and Racing Pigs
Daily parades, first-class stage shows and national concert performances are just a few of the many experiences at the South Florida Fair. Just about anything goes here; pigs literally fly around the racetrack at pork-defying speeds in pursuit of a handful of Oreos at the daily Hambone Express 3 event. There will also be competitions galore, agriculture and livestock shows, the Miss South Florida Fair and Miss Palm Beach County scholarship competitions, a Kids' Mile race and more! 

Friday Night Lights

Sticking with the sports theme, the fair will host a Friday Night Lights Dance Party on Jan. 24 at the Party Pavilion. The event will feature a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner and dancing featuring the ultra-energetic Private Property Band.

Throughout the fair's 17 days, fairgoers will also be able to try out virtual reality sports experiences, including football, golf, soccer, basketball and baseball. If you prefer real-life competition, you can show your stuff in the batting cages, pitching cage and field goal kick as well. Additionally, the Expo Center will play host to interactive sports exhibits in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and National Baseball Hall of Fame.
 

Other Events at the South Florida Fairgrounds 
Florida’s rich history comes to life at Yesteryear Village within the South Florida Fairgrounds. Whether you’re visiting during the 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