Every January since 1912, over a half million visitors head out to the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach to enjoy the weeklong festivities at the South Florida Fair. As one of Florida's oldest and largest community events, fairgoers can once again get in on all the action January 15 through 31. For the 2016 installation, fairgoers enjoy live music, midway rides, learn about Florida history in the Yesteryear Village, come face-to-face with livestock at the Agriplex, and shop from craft and art vendors. This year’s fair theme is “Discover the Palm Beaches" and will include an 80-square-foot themed display at the Exposition Center.
But the best part, in our opinion, isn't the rides, shows, or exhibits. It's all that crazy fair food. When it comes to outrageous eats, nothing beats the South Florida Fair. From the classic fried dough and cotton candy to bacon on stick and pork parfait. (Yes. Pork and parfait, together as one. 'Murica.)
If you're looking for a way to justify all those deep-fried calories so soon after making your New Year's resolutions, help others fill their stomachs first by making a donation to the Palm Beach County Food Bank — and get yourself some free tickets to the fair.
The annual Food 4 Funevent to benefit the Palm Beach County Food Bank is a partnership between the Palm Beach Outlets and the South Florida Fair. Just donate at least two nonperishable food items and receive one free ticket to the fair good for admission on any Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday for the run of the fair.
Donations should be made Saturday, January 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Palm Beach Outlets, 1751 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach. Donate as much as you want or can, but the free ticket limit is two per person. Call 561-515-4400.
The South Florida Fair takes place from January 15 through 31on the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach. Admission is $15 for adults, $9 for seniors (over 60), $8 for children ages 6 to 11, and children under 5 are free. Unlimited ride wristbands are $25 per person Monday through Friday, and $35 on Saturday and Sunday. Call 561-793-0333, or visit SouthFloridaFair.com.
Rebecca McBane is the arts and culture/food editor for New Times Broward-Palm Beach. She began her journalism career at the Sun Sentinel's community newspaper offshoot, Forum Publishing Group, where she worked as the editorial assistant and wrote monthly features as well as the weekly library and literature column, "Shelf Life." After a brief stint bumming around London's East End (for no conceivable reason, according to her poor mother), she returned to real life and South Florida to start at New Times as the editorial assistant in 2009. A native Floridian, Rebecca avoids the sun and beach at all costs and can most often be found in a well-air-conditioned space with the glow of a laptop on her face.
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