Fairgoers will see plenty of superheroes at the 2019 South Florida Fair, which kicked off with its popular ride-a-thon at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17 with the full fair set to open on Friday, Jan. 18.
The fair will run from Jan. 18 through Feb. 3. The 2019 theme is “A Super-Tastic South Florida Fair: Where Heroes Unite!”
Fair organizers will be honoring superheroes of all forms — from everyday heroes to the superheroes of the silver screen. Throughout the 17 days of the fair, guests can expect to see appearances by their favorite Marvel and DC Comics heroes. Local superheroes also will be recognized. Daily “Not All Superheroes Wear Capes” parades will feature local community heroes, who will be invited to ride on a float and toss beads to guests.
Also new to this year’s fair is “Illusions and Beyond!” — a show of grand illusions with special effects, cirque acrobatics, quick changes, comedy, choreography and mind-blowing magic all fused together. Justino and Daniela Zoppe, seventh generation professional entertainers, will perform three shows daily.
Also new to the fair is the XPogo Stunt Team, which is expected to thrill audiences. Xpogo is approved by Guinness World Records to be the official record keepers for all extreme pogo world records. The stunts include jumping over consecutive cars, most backflips in a row, fastest mile on a pogo stick and highest backflip.
The Zaji Acrobats of China also will perform all 17 days with multiple shows. They’ll dazzle audience members with an array of acrobatics from an age-old Chinese tradition. Tumblers, contortionists, jugglers and other surprises will show the tremendous dexterity of the human body and feats of balance and coordination.
Also performing all 17 days, Tyzen the Comedy Hypnotist, the Hitchiti Dancers and a fair favorite, the racing pigs, otherwise known as the Hambone Express 3.
The fair also will host its inaugural Craft Brew Fest & Home Brew Competition in partnership with the Angler Action Foundation and Due South Brewing Co. on Sunday, Jan. 27. Judging will be held in the fair’s Party Pavilion beginning at 1 p.m. for VIP ticket holders only, prior to Craft Brew Fest doors opening to the public at 3 p.m. A separate ticket to this event must be purchased in addition to a fair ticket.
On the first two Saturdays of the fair, First Lego League will host a science and technology competition for students in grades 4 through 8. The participants will program an autonomous robot to score points on a thematic playing surface, create innovative solutions to a problem, all while being guided by the program’s signature Core Values. Guests can watch the competition, and there also will be robots and related materials on display.
The fair will continue to host an award-winning agriculture and livestock program featuring more than 1,000 exhibitors from over 30 Florida counties, and the popular Moo-Ternity Tent. Additional features include more than 200 rides, games and attractions; four stages of music and entertainment; historic Yesteryear Village; a creative crafts and skills competition; the Miss South Florida Fair and Miss Palm Beach County scholarship competitions; the Starz of the Future contest; and Artist Alley, featuring local painters, photographers and sculptors.
And what would the fair be without its lineup of unusual dishes and fried foods, including a new take on corn dogs known as the Dilly Dilly Dog, available at this year’s fair for the first time. It begins with the coring of pickles, then putting hot dogs in the pickles and frying them in a trough of batter.
A single admission ticket for ages 12 to 59 is $15 at the gate Monday through Friday and $20 on Saturday and Sunday. Senior admission for 60 years of age and older pay $9 at the gate. A child’s admission, under 12, is $8 at the gate. Children age five and younger are free. Admission on both Tuesdays of the fair is just $2. For more information, call (561) 793-0333 or visit www.southfloridafair.com.
