Hillsborough County Fair: A Thin Slice of Southern
The gates to a toned-down Hillsborough County fair are a welcome site. It's southern hometown feel and slower pace were just what the doctor ordered.
Life at times is just too noisy. I needed a break and headed out to the country for the Hillsborough County Fair for a taste of home town love. Located in East Hillsborough County, there’s lots going on here but it just seems less frenetic.
Volunteer audience members get tips on what to do when things heat up at the Fire Safety Show
The Disc-Connected K9s show uses abandoned and adopted dogs to show their talents and promote animal wellness and pet adoption
Where else can you see an antique truck and tractor pull, a youth agriculture exhibit and show, and most importantly, get a Smitty’s original hand dipped buttermilk corndog!
SRD Motorsports competes at the Truck and Tractor Pull at the Hillsborough County Fair Truck & Tractor Pull
Some tractors were 60 years old or older. The contest was sponsored by the Florida Antique Pullers
There were gospel singers, a kids fire safety show, and a slower/simpler approach to life- all delivered with a strong southern drawl. Southern comfort indeed, ya'll.
Hillsborough County 4H Club and FFA Chapter youth compete in the youth agriculture and livestock shows featuring rabbits and the annual sheep show, shown here.
Gospel singers join in 4 part harmony to spread their message.
Fans watch the Hernandez Thrill Riders at the Family Thrill Circus
Smitty's Original Hand Dipped Buttermilk Corndog served up delicious fair food on the small midway. Paired with a glass of lemonade all for $7 it’s easy to see why there was a line here.
The Hillsborough County Fair is so much simpler than the state fair. Less is more here. Still, good food, fun rides for all, running at a slower county fair pace is a respite from the stress of being a city slicker.
A freak show is probably not as PC as some exhibits, but it harkens back to a simpler time when more thrills came from simple experiences and less from electronic devices.
The fair runs through Sunday October 3, and wraps this year up with a Demolition Derby.
215 Sydney Washer Road Dover, FL 33527
(813) 737-FAIR
FAIR HOURS
Thurs, Sept 23 – 5 pm – 10 pm – DOLLAR DAYS
Fri, Sept 24 – 5 pm – 11 pm
Sat, Sept 25 – 10 am – 11 pm
Sun, Sept 26 – 10 am – 8 pm
Mon 9/27- Wed 9/29 – 5 pm – 11 pm – CARNIVAL & FAIR FOOD ONLY
Thurs, Sept 30 – 5 pm – 10 pm – DOLLAR DAYS
Fri, Oct 1 – 5 pm – 11 pm
Sat. Oct 2 – 10 am – 11 pm
Sun, Oct 3 – 10 am – 8 pm