South Florida Fair facts for kids
| Previously known as Palm Beach County Fair (1912–1960) | |
South Florida Fair logo
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| Location | 9067 Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida |
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| Status | open |
| Opened | 1912 (113 years ago) |
| Owner | South Florida Fair & Palm Beach County Expositions, Inc. |
| Operating season | 12-28 January 2024 |
| Attractions | |
| Total | Over 100 (at least) |
| Roller coasters | 4 |
| Water rides | 1 (until 2007) |
The South Florida Fair is a super fun annual fair that happens every January in West Palm Beach, Florida. Imagine a huge area, about 100 acres, filled with excitement! It's located where the old Palm Beach Speedway used to be.
Each year, almost 500,000 people visit the fair. It's a place where you can find a thrilling midway with rides, games, and yummy snacks. There are also cool exhibition halls with different themes and a special area for farm animals and crops called the agriplex. Don't forget Yesteryear Village, a history park right on the fairgrounds!
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, West Palm Beach Police, and security guards help keep everyone safe at the fair.
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Fair History: A Journey Through Time
The South Florida Fair started way back in March 1912. It was first called the Palm Beach County Fair. The very first fair was held under one big tent in downtown West Palm Beach. It lasted for four days!
Local leaders wanted to show off farm animals, winter crops, and even land for sale. Farmers could even win money prizes from a famous person named Henry Flagler. In 1913, the fair moved to a spot near the railroad station.
Fair Challenges and Comebacks
The fair grew quickly at first, but then the Great Depression hit. From 1930 to 1937, the fair could only have a carnival with rides. After that, it stopped completely for a while. Plans to bring it back in 1942 were put on hold because of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
But the fair didn't give up! It started again in 1946 at the National Guard Armory. Two years later, it moved to Morrison Field (which is now the Palm Beach International Airport). It had to move again when the airport became a military base for the Korean War.
Finding a Permanent Home
In 1953, the fair became an official organization. For a few years, it was held at the Palm Beach Speedway. Then, in 1956, it moved to the current location of Palm Beach State College. But that didn't last long! The land was given to the college instead.
Finally, in 1957, the fair bought the Palm Beach Speedway property, which was about 35 acres. They got more land from Palm Beach County, making the fairgrounds about 100 acres! This helped the county expand the college. On January 27, 1958, the fair opened at its current, permanent home. In 1960, its name officially changed to the South Florida Fair.
Fair During the Pandemic
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 2021 fair was a bit different. All the exhibits and shows were held outdoors, and only smaller rides were open. They also had a safety plan to follow CDC guidelines. A full fair event for 2021 was held later, from May 7 to May 23. In 2022, the fair went back to its usual full-size event in January, with most pandemic rules removed.
Fairgrounds: A Place for Fun and Learning
The South Florida Fairgrounds covers about 135 acres. It's divided into different areas like parking lots, Yesteryear Village, the Coral Sky Amphitheatre, and big exhibit buildings. There's over 200,000 square feet of space for trade shows and exhibits!
During the annual South Florida Fair, the southern parking area turns into the exciting "midway" with all the rides, shows, games, and food stands.
Annual Fair Events
The main event at the fairgrounds is the annual South Florida Fair. It lasts for 17 days, usually in the last two weeks of January. Each year, the fair often has a special theme to make it even more interesting! Past themes have included "Florida," "Alaska," "Hollywood," and "A World of Fun."
One of the best parts of the fair is the agricultural and livestock exhibits. You can see and learn all about farming and animals. Many kids who live in the city might not know much about agriculture, but at the fair, they can see a calf being born or learn how a dairy farm works! While nearly 500,000 people visit the annual fair, about 650,000 people attend different events at the fairgrounds throughout the year.
Yesteryear Village: Step Back in Time
Yesteryear Village is a cool history park that covers 10 acres. It shows buildings and items from the 1850s to the 1950s. You can see old schools, a farm, a blacksmith shop, a general store, a church, and even a fire department!
It also has the only big band museum in the United States, called the Sally Bennett Big Band Hall of Fame Museum. You can take guided tours to learn all about the past!
See also
- Americraft Expo Center
