Celebrate Florida Agriculture at 2024 Fairs and Festivals Across the State
In partnership with: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Florida offers many exciting annual events that pay homage to its farming heritage. From fairs featuring livestock shows and fascinating ag exhibits to mouthwatering food festivals celebrating some of Florida’s top commodities, these upcoming 2024 events provide a fun and educational way to experience state agriculture up close.
Florida State Fair
February 8-19, 2024, Tampa
The Florida State Fair in Tampa is the state’s official and largest celebration of agriculture. The 12-day event features thrilling rides on the nation’s largest midway, an impressive lineup of live music, family entertainment and attractions, and an assortment of classic and new treats to delight fair foodies. But even if it’s the Ferris wheel and funnel cakes that draw you in, you’ll want to stay for all the competitions and exhibits showcasing the best of Florida agriculture.
Youth livestock shows, educational displays, cow milking demonstrations, petting farms and hands-on learning activities are just some of the can’t-miss stops highlighting the state’s ag industry. The fairgrounds are also home to the nationally recognized Cracker Country, a living history museum with 13 historic buildings and guides demonstrating what life was like in 19th-century rural Florida. And make sure to save time for enjoying the fair’s vast assortment of creative competitions in everything from baking and preserved foods to fine arts and horticulture.
See more: Magic on the Midway at the Florida State Fair
Sweet Corn Fiesta
April 28, 2024, West Palm Beach
Florida ranks No. 1 in the nation for production of fresh-market sweet corn, and this crop gets its moment in the spotlight on the last Sunday in April at the annual Sweet Corn Fiesta. This family-friendly celebration of local agricultural heritage, now in its 24th year, takes place in Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach – a fitting home for the event considering Palm Beach County produces more sweet corn than any other county in the U.S. and accounts for more than half the sweet corn production in the state. Festivities include corn-eating and corn-shucking contests, games, children’s activities, live music, and carnival rides. Come hungry to enjoy all the food offerings including a variety of delicious sweet corn dishes from hot buttered corn on the cob to fresh corn fritters and more.
Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival
May 3-5, 2024, Fernandina Beach
Satisfy your seafood cravings with all the fresh shrimp you can eat prepared in every way imaginable at the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival on Amelia Island in May. The free event in the heart of downtown Fernandina Beach celebrates northeast Florida shrimping and local history with three days packed full of activities and attractions for all ages. The festival hosts several food vendors – all organized, staffed and run by Nassau County nonprofit organizations – as well as musicians, an antiques show, and a juried fine arts and crafts show featuring more than 300 award-winning artists and craftspeople. Other festival highlights include decorated shrimp boats, a parade, the 5K Shrimp Run, the Miss Shrimp Festival Pageant, pirate costume competitions for both children and adults, an ice cream eating contest, and a kids’ zone offering several booths with children’s activities.
See more: The Spicy Datil Pepper Is a Local Florida Favorite
Hillsborough County Fair
October 31-November 10, 2024, Dover
The Hillsborough County Fair in Dover celebrates community and agricultural heritage each fall with 11 days of activities, events and attractions for the whole family. From carnival rides, games and traditional fair foods to livestock shows and exhibits spotlighting farming and horticulture, the fair offers something for every visitor. Youth livestock shows are one of the most important agricultural components, showcasing the hard work of Hillsborough County youth. Fairgoers can also experience local agriculture through educational exhibits, crop displays and farming demonstrations. Feeling competitive? Battle it out for the blue ribbon in the pie eating and pumpkin carving contests. The fair also hosts several competitions featuring local talent, including baking contests, pageants, and competitions in horticulture, arts and crafts, music and more.