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Hernando Today

Happenings at the state fairgrounds

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Special to Hernando Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 15, 2009

TAMPA - Enjoy the splendid spring weather with a variety of entertaining indoor and outdoor events taking place on the Fairgrounds property adjacent to I-4 and U.S. 301 in eastern Hillsborough County.

May 15-17: Tampa Bay Boat Sale

The boating event of the season opens today and features millions of dollars of inventory in new boats and watercraft on display in the Expo Hall. Visitors can shop for the boat of their dreams, check out special exhibits with the latest in supplies and accessories, or see one of a series of Florida fishing school seminars. Event hours on Friday and Saturday are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free for all ages. Parking is $5 per car and $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the U.S. 301 entrance. For more information, visit online www.tampabayboatsale.com or call Dave LaBell at 727-893-8523.

May 16: Dixie Paint Horse Show

The Dixie Paint Horse Club will host a two-judge horse show in the Covered Ring. The event begins at 8 a.m. Admission and parking is free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.dixiephc.com, contact Kim Evans by e-mail at kimevans@embarqmail.com Please call the show grounds office number at 813-740-3500 for questions during the event.

May 21: Taste of Brandon

Hosted by the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, this popular annual event showcases the best businesses and foods of eastern Hillsborough County. Visitors will have the chance to sample delicious foods and explore local business exhibits from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center. Advance tickets are available for $10 online at www.brandonchamber.com or in person at the Chamber's office. Tickets are $15 at the door. Admission includes a beverage ticket, entry for prize drawings and vote in the "Taste Off" contest. Parking is $5 per car and $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard entrance. For more information, visit online www.brandonchamber.com or call the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce at 813-689-1221.

May 22-25: Memorial Day Horse Show

Edmondson Management will host a four-day, AQHA and FQHA approved American Quarter horse show in the Charlie Lykes Arena. The event begins at 8 a.m. each day. There is no set end time; daily activities conclude when the last horse competes.

Admission and parking is free for spectators. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance. For more information, visit online www.fqha.net or call Peg Edmondson at 941-484-4687 prior to the event. Please call the show grounds office number at 813-740-3500 for questions during the event.

May 23-24: Bead Mercantile Show

This two-day bead and jewelry shopping extravaganza will be held in the Florida Center. Visitors can find an assortment of items including Japanese seed beads, Swarovski Crystal, lampwork beads and supplies, Delicas, Pearls, silver from all around the world, gemstone strands, vintage beads, handmade jewelry, Czech glass, beading & wire working tools, hand cast pewter beads and bead kits. Event hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free; parking is $5 per car or $10 per RV or bus. Visitors should enter the Fairgrounds via the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard entrance. For more information, visit online www.beadmercantile.com or call Tom Lester at 423-639-7919.

May 23-24: Southeast Hunter Jumper Horse Show

The Southeast Hunter Jumper (SEHJ) Association will host a two-day horse competition held in the Gran Prix Ring and Pony Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. The show starts at 8 a.m. each day. Competitions will be held in hunter and jumper divisions for children and adult categories with prizes to be awarded.

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.sehj.com or call Eric Lavin at 352-797-7469 prior to the event. Call the show grounds office number at 813-740-3500 for questions during the event.

May 24: Dressage Among Friends

Suncoast Dressage will host a rated horse show in the Covered Ring. 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.sdcta.com, e-mail Mary at hengleinmobley1@msn.com Call the show grounds office number at 813-740-3500 for questions during the event.

May 29-30: Special Olympics Equestrian Championships

More than 100 Special Olympics athletes will participate in equestrian competitions held in the Covered Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Events include Dressage, English Equitation, Stock Seat Equitation, Working Trails, Pole Bending, Barrel Racing, Showmanship at Halter or Bridle, and Unified Sports Drill Team. Opening ceremonies take place on Friday at 6 p.m. and competition begins at 6:45 p.m.

The competition continues on Saturday at 9 a.m. Admission and parking are free for spectators.

For more information, visit online www.specialolympicsflorida.org/calendar-of-events/... or call 352-243-9536.

May 30: Spring Gaited Classic Horse Show

Sponsored by the Florida Rocky Mountain Horse Association, this A rated horse show is sanctioned by Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH). All under saddle classes are restricted to horses at least three years old. Horses younger than 3 years old are permitted to enter conformation classes only. The show begins at 9 a.m. in the Pony Ring at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center.

Admission and parking are free for spectators.

For more information, visit online www.rmha.net or call Kathy Parrish at 352-406-1395.

June 2: Concert - No Doubt

No Doubt with special guests, Paramore, will perform in concert on Tuesday, June 2 at the Ford Amphitheatre. The gates will open at 6:30 p.m. and show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Ticket prices are $80 and $24.50 for reserved seating, $80 for PIT area, and $10 for lawn area seating. 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. 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. 301 or the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard entrance. Only guests with VIP parking access should enter through Orient Road.

June 6: PCHA nonrated 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. 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.

For more information on these and other events taking place at the Fairgrounds visit www.floridastatefair.com.

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