Hillsborough County Fair Opens

It's time again for the Hillsborough County Fair, which is scheduled to open today, Oct. 17, at 5 p.m., for a night featuring three shows, vendors, exhibits and a midway. The event runs through 9 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Dover, just east of Brandon off State Road 60, at 217 Sydney Washer Road.

"The most important thing about the fair is it's an opportunity for young people to develop their skills and build their confidence, whether it's through one little thing, such as the canning competition, or whether it's something larger, like showing you've fed and raised," said Betty Jo Tompkins, a long-time member of the fair's board of directors.

The fair kicks off at 5 p.m. today, Oct. 17, with "continuous shows in the entertainment tent with Donny and Sandy and a talent showcase of variety acts." Also, with exhibits, shows (see below), vendors and a midway.

The fair closes today at 10 p.m. The cost of admission for "One-Dollar Day" is, as noted, $1. The cost for rides is $1.

To find out more about the fair, visit the event's website.

What's your favorite thing about the fair? Let us know in the comments section! If you go, be sure to upload your pictures to Lutz Patch, too!

The Oct. 17 schedule continues as follows: