Maddux NewsWire

TAMPA, FL. – September 14, 2009. As the summer concludes, the Fairgrounds offers two more weeks of entertaining indoor and outdoor events in September taking place in eastern Hillsborough County. A brief listing of the month’s remaining events is provided followed by a detailed event description.
Sept. 15: Florida High Speed Rail Public Info Meeting
Sept. 18-20: Gear Fest
Sept. 19: Youth Ag Educational Seminars
Sept. 19-20: World’s Largest Garage Sale
Sept. 19-20: PCHA Non-Rated Horse Show
Sept. 25-27: CFHJA Fall Horse Show
Sept. 26: SBI Graduation
Sept. 26-27: Florida Sportsman Fishing & Boat Show
Sept. 26-27: Tampa Reptile Mania & Exotic Pet Expo
Sept. 27: Concert – Blink 182 with Fall Out Boy and All-American Rejects
Sept. 15: Florida High Speed Rail Public Info Meeting
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a Public Information Meeting in the Florida Center building at the Fairgrounds from 4 to 7 p.m. The meeting is an update to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Florida High Speed Rail (FHSR) Tampa to Orlando project. FDOT staff and their representatives will be available to answer questions and discuss changes in the project and environmental impacts that have occurred since the FEIS was published in July 2005. Parking is free for this event. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information about this meeting or project, please contact Sharon Phillips at (813) 281-8300 or Nazih Haddad at (850) 414-4534.

Sept. 18-20: Gear Fest
Gear Fest Productions presents a three-day, action-packed motorcycle festival full of extreme entertainment inside the Expo Hall and outdoor displays. Special activities include an American Biker rodeo, an American & Metric Bike Show, a Star Boyz stunt riders competition for pros and amateurs, a Miss Gear Fest super model contest and a tattoo artist competition with thousands to be awarded in cash and prizes. There will also be an entertainment kids park with rock climbing, video game area, skate demo, live DJ and bands, and much more. Event hours are Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission for ages 13 and older is $10 on Friday, $15 on Saturday and Sunday, and free for ages 12 and younger. Military personnel may receive $3 off admission on Saturday only with valid I.D. Parking is $3 for motorcycles, $5 per car, or $10 per RV or bus for each time a vehicle enters the grounds. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, visit www.gearfestusa.com, e-mail info@gearfestusa.com or call 813-624-1104.

Sept. 19: Youth Ag Educational Seminars
The Florida State Fair Authority is offering an educational seminar for all youth interested in participating in livestock competitions at the 2010 Florida State Fair. Held in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center, the seminars are designed to help youth exhibitors prepare for their State Fair animal project and skilathon topics. This is open to all youth planning to show animals in beef, dairy, sheep, dairy goat, boer goat, swine, rabbit, poultry, dog, and llama competitions. Starting at 8 a.m., there will be a seminar geared for new, first-time exhibitors. At 10 a.m. begins the Specie Specific Seminars for returning exhibitors. This is the only session offered this year to prepare agriculture exhibitors for the 2010 Fair. Admission and parking are free; visitors must enter via the Orient Road entrance for this event. For more information, call the Fairgrounds Agribusiness department at 813-621-7821 ext. 387 or 388.

Sept. 19-20: World’s Largest Garage Sale
Rock the Mike Productions presents a two-day, huge garage sale event showcasing more than 200 booths of merchandise inside the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall. There will be three areas under one roof: the garage sale area will feature residents selling all kinds of valuables; the business trade show area will have local businesses who are liquidating inventories at a savings up to 75% off regular prices; and the health & wellness area will feature some of the latest trends and technologies. In addition, there will be live music and entertainment, jumpy jumps for kids, and a rest area with a big screen TV for everyone to enjoy all day. Event hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be health & wellness speakers on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. and live celebrity karaoke on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adult admission is $5 for ages 18 and older or free for ages 17 and younger when accompanied by an adult. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus for each time a vehicle enters the grounds. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, visit www.rockthemikes.com, e-mail mharter45@aol.com or call 877-290-5665.

Sept. 19-20: PCHA Non-Rated Horse Show
The Pinellas County Hunter Association (PCHA) hosts a two-day horse show featuring horses and riders competing in hunter, equitation and jumper classes at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Competition begins at 8 a.m. each day. There is no set end time; all show rings go until the last horse competes. Please inquire with the show office for entry fees to participate in the show. Admission and parking is free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.pcha-fl.org or call Michelle Drain at 727-546-7664 prior to the event. Please call the show grounds office number at 813-740-3500 for questions during the event.

Sept. 25-27: CFHJA Fall Horse Show
The Central Florida Hunter Jumper Association (CFHJA) will host a three-day, USEF sanctioned horse show at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Hunter and jumper competitions begin at 8 a.m. on Friday and at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Entry fees and stall rental charges apply for participants. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Participants and visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.cfhja.com or call Dani Becker at 813-839-0111. Please call the show grounds office number at 813-740-3500 for questions during the event.

Sept. 26: SBI Graduation
Sanford Brown Institute of Tampa will hold its graduation ceremony in the Florida Center. Doors open at 10 a.m. and ceremony begins promptly at 11 a.m. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information, e-mail Rod Kelly at rkelly@sbtampa.com or call 813-393-4286.

Sept. 26-27: Florida Sportsman Fishing & Boat Show
Florida Sportsman Magazine hosts its annual Fishing & Boat Show in the Expo Hall for two fun-filled days. The event features a huge indoor tackle sale with seminars, a live fishing tournament at the lakes, and various hands-on demonstrations including bait rigging, flycasting and castnet lessons. Come meet Florida Sportsman editors, factory reps, or shop for a fishing boat and find accessories for all your fishing needs. Kid-friendly activities include an indoor spincast pond, a virtual reality bass fishing display, a sportfish face painting by paraplegic artist Tony Ryals and a Fish Identifier Game where kids are challenged to match pictures of fish placed throughout the building. Show hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $8 per person and children ages 12 and younger are admitted free with a parent. A discount coupon for reduced admission is available in the Florida Sportsman Magazine and on the show’s website. Parking is $5 per car and $10 per RV or bus for each time a vehicle enters the grounds. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. Hwy. 301 entrance. For more information, visit online www.floridasportsman.com/shows/tampa or call 941-378-0411.

Sept. 26-27: Tampa Reptile Mania & Exotic Pet Expo
Gila Productions presents a two-day reptile and exotic pet expo featuring vendors selling thousands of reptiles, small mammals, birds, pet supplies and more. Held inside the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center, there will be live shows and special activities on both days. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. General admission is $9 for ages 11 and older, $6 for children ages five to 10, and free admission for ages four and younger. Advance VIP Tickets are available on the show’s website for early admission at $12 for a one-day ticket or $18 for a two-day ticket. Parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus for each time a vehicle enters the grounds. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. entrance. For more information, visit online www.gilaproductions.com, e-mail alex@gilaproductions.com, or call Alex Russell at 919-495-3233.

Sept. 27: Concert – Blink 182 with Fall Out Boy and All-American Rejects
Blink 182 with special guests, Fall Out Boy, All-American Rejects and Asher Roth will perform in concert on Sunday, September 27 at the Ford Amphitheatre. The concert is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $69, $45 and $31 for reserved seating, $69 for the PIT area, $26 for each lawn seat or $20 for an “all-in” special-priced lawn seat. Both the PIT area and lawn area are general admission; no specific area is assigned for seating. There will be a parking fee and service charge added to the price of each ticket unless otherwise noted if tickets are bought during an “All-In or No Fees” special. All dates, times, and acts are subject to change or cancel without notice. Rain or shine. Tickets to all Ford Amphitheatre events can be purchased in person at the Ford Amphitheatre Box Office or online exclusively at www.livenation.com. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 877-598-8698. Concert guests should enter the Fairgrounds via U.S. Hwy. 301 or the M.L.K., Jr. Blvd. entrance. Only guests with VIP parking access should enter through Orient Road. For the latest concert information about Ford Amphitheatre events, call 813-740-2446 or visit www.livenation.com.

OTHER FAIRGROUNDS NEWS: The 2010 Florida State Fair will take place on February 4-15, 2010 for twelve consecutive days. Vendor space applications for the next Florida State Fair are now available online at http://www.floridastatefair.com/vendor-application. All interested applicants are advised to print, complete and send in their applications immediately as space is limited for new vendors!
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For more information on these and other events taking place at the Fairgrounds, please call the main office number at 813-621-7821 or visit www.floridastatefair.com and click on the Events Calendar. Media are welcome at all events held at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Media wishing to cover a Fairgrounds event should contact Denise Shreaves at 813-627-4314 or e-mail shreavd@doacs.state.fl.us. To cover Ford Amphitheatre events only, please call David Harb with Live Nation at 813-600-1003. Media should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance and check in with the security guard to notify the appropriate contact person.

The Florida State Fair Authority (FSFA) is not responsible for any incorrect or misprinted information regarding events held on the Fairgrounds property which are not organized or managed by the FSFA. The event organizer, not the FSFA, is solely responsible for the advertising of its event and management of exhibitors, vendors, or sponsors participating at an event held at the Fairgrounds. All scheduled times, prices, and any other advertised information is subject to change and/or cancel without notice.

The Florida State Fair Authority is a non-profit organization which operates primarily from revenues generated from the annual State Fair and other ongoing operations during the year. Presently, the FSFA does not receive any state tax appropriations from Hillsborough County, City of Tampa, nor the State of Florida. The FSFA operates the Florida State Fairgrounds year-round in association with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson leads the Fair Authority Board, which oversees the Florida State Fairgrounds and the annual Florida State Fair.

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