Reminder: Time for the Pasco County Fair | Entertainment

Dade City, Florida -- The 65th Annual Pasco County Fair will be a week of Ridin,' Rockin,' and Livestockin' --- the theme of this year's seven-day event that will run Monday, Feb. 20, through Sunday, Feb. 26, at the 40-acre fairgrounds on State Road 52 in Dade City.

"There'll be plenty of rides, plenty of livestock, and plenty of fun at this year's fair," said Wilton Simpson, president of the non-profit Pasco County Fair Association Inc. "And the fair remains one of the best bargains around. We're packed full of entertainment and it's all free with admission to the fair. That includes the professional rodeo and demolition derby."

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 through 12. Parking is free.

Tuesday will feature a special gate admission where all fairgoers admission is $3.

Daily free entertainment will include a bear show by A Grizzly Experience; Robinson's Racing Pigs and Paddling Porkers; Tropical Illusions, magic and illusion shows; Sean Emery, a funny guy who juggles stuff; Ron Diamond, hypnotist, illusionist, and magician; Steve the Pretty Good, strolling; and Lisa Lou, a strolling circus act. 

The plenty of ridin' will include unlimited midway rides each day with the purchase of wristbands. The wristbands are $18 each day, Monday through Thursday, and $22, Friday through Sunday. Discounted wristbands will be sold at Walgreen's locations throughout Pasco and surrounding counties from Friday, Feb. 3, through Sunday, Feb. 19. Discounted prices are $15 and $19, respectively. The midway special is in addition to gate admission to the fair.

Special highlights will include the Showcase of Talent, 6 p.m. Feb. 20; Rockin' with Elvis, with Billy "Elvis" Lindsey as a tribute artist, 7 p.m. Feb. 21; The Little Roy and Lizzy Show, bluegrass music concert, 5 and 8 p.m.  Feb. 22; Gospel Music Night, featuring The Dixie Melody Boys and The Whisnants, 5 and 8 p.m. Feb. 23; Miss Heart of Florida Pageant, 7 p.m. Feb. 24; Miss Pasco County Pageant, 7 p.m. Feb. 25; and Baby Pageant, 1 p.m. Feb. 26.

Livestock shows will feature the Youth Heifer and Bull Show at 6 p.m. Feb. 20; The Youth Steer Showmanship Contest, 6 p.m. Feb. 21; Youth Steer Show, 6 p.m. Feb. 22; Youth Steer Sale, 7 p.m. Feb. 23; Youth Dairy Show, 3:30 p.m. Feb. 24; Youth Hog Show, 8 a.m. Feb. 25; Youth Hog Sale, 6 p.m. Feb. 25; Open Dairy Goat Show, 9:30 a.m. Feb. 25; and Youth Sheep Show, 12:30 p.m. Feb. 26. The Youth Poultry Show and Youth Rabbit and Cavy show will run throughout the fair. Other agricultural exhibits will include the Youth Plant Show which will also run throughout the fair, with the plants sold at auction at 2 p.m. Feb. 26.

The eighth annual Pasco County Fair Championship Rodeo, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the rodeo arena in the back of the fairgrounds. The demolition derby, a Stoney Roberts Production, will be held there at 2 p.m. Feb. 26.

The fair also includes the Back Porch, where Pasco County adults display their homemade and hand-made items; Youth Exhibits; Art Exhibit; and Community Exhibits, as well as commercial booths in Higgins Hall and outside on the independent midway where everything from corndogs and cotton candy to leather belts and airbrush art will also be featured.

The Pasco County Fair will get underway at 1 p.m. Feb. 20 with the annual fair parade through downtown Dade City. Applications for the parade, as well as information on entering the various exhibits and shows, are available online at www.pascocountyfair.com.                

For more information call the Pasco County Fair Office, (352) 567-6678.