Pasco County Fair Association Celebrates 71st Annual Fair

By: Mila Cordeiro

TAMPA – Volunteers, sponsors and vendors all came together in Pasco County this past weekend to host its 71st annual fair in Dade City.

The Pasco County Fair was originally charted in 1947 and put on for the first time in 1948. It was created by five businessmen who came together and purchased the fairgrounds and wanted to showcase the talent of that times youth in Pasco County.

“The five men created the Pasco County Fair Association,” said Tracy Thompson, Annual Fair Chairman. “The association is not owned by the county, it is privately owned by the association which a lot of people get confused about.”

There are five buildings on the fairgrounds, each one dedicated to original members of the association.

The entire fair is put on by unpaid volunteers. There are 30 members on the board who volunteer their time to help run this county wide event. Altogether, there are hundreds of volunteers that come together to keep the fair running.

“It takes a village to put on the fair for seven days,” said Thompson.

The fair hosts many events for children of all ages such as a plant showing and sale, a hog show, a steer show, art exhibits, entertainment, games, food vendors and of course rides from the Midway.

This year’s entertainment included The Fearless Flores Thrill Show, Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Extreme Illusions & Escapes and many more. Vendors include food such as funnel cakes, french fries, candy apples, pizza and boiled peanuts.

“For the past 12 or 14 years, we’ve had the PRCA Rodeo,” said Thompson. “This year we’re having what called the ranch rodeo, which will be run a little differently.”

The ranch rodeo which will consist of a group of men that will exhibit the different competitions that makes up a regular rodeo.

The fair lasts for seven days and typically begins its first day on President’s Day. The fair accommodates its opening times to children in the area, since the fair’s intention is to bring together the county’s youth. The fair opens at 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday.

Some of the major sponsors this year include Covanta Energy, Jim Browne Dade City, Jarrett Ford Dade City, TECO and Pepsi.

“The biggest thing that I want people to take away from the fair is put on by a volunteer organization,” said Thompson. “It is not related to or run by the county.”

The fairgrounds hosts other events such as Sparklebration, weddings, parties and gun shows all to assist with the upkeep of the grounds.

If you are interested in volunteering or discovering what other events the Pasco County Fairgrounds offers, you can visit their website at www.pascocountyfair.com.