Citrus County Fair News

Hello Everyone!

The Citrus County Fair is almost here! We are March 27 - April 2 this year.

We are excited to announce that Modern Midways will be here this year. There will be specials on the midway all week. We know you will enjoy the thrilling rides the carnival will bring.

We have a great lineup of Fair Food for our patrons to enjoy. There is nothing like "Fair Food."

The entertainment lineup includes Danny Grant’s Cowboy Circus, Brad Machett Comedy Hypnotist Show, Rowdy Rooster, RoboCars, Fritzy’s One Man Circus, and Robinson's Racing Pigs. Jimmy Mowry will be here on Friday, March 31st for two shows.

We also have some great shows in the auditorium. The Citrus Youth Symphonic Orchestra will be here on Monday, and The Juke Box Memories Tour will be here on Saturday with lots of golden oldies for your entertainment. There will be a host of local talent performing all week.

Contests include; Karaoke, Pie Eating, Ag Bowl Competition, Public Speaking, and new this year, a Youth Tractor Driving Competition.

The Fair Livestock Program will be going on all week with our youth on display with their projects. They are so grateful to our community for helping them have a successful end to all the hard work they have put into their animals.

We just completed our 23rd Tractor and Truck Pull. Lots of noise, smoke, and raw power for 2 days. This event helps fund our scholarship programs for Citrus County Youth. We had a great 2 days.

The theme this year is "Carnival Lights and Home-Grown Delights". We invite everyone to come join the fun.

Please go to citruscountyfair.com or our Facebook page for all the details and updates.

The Citrus County Fair is from March 27 through April 2*, 2023. *Midway only on 2nd

2023 Manatee County Distinguished Citizen Award

Each year, the Manatee County Distinguished Citizen Award is presented by the Manatee River Fair Association in cooperation with the Manatee Board of County Commissioners. This award recognizes those individuals who have made significant and meritorious contributions to Manatee County in the way of volunteer community service.

Since 1956, the award has been presented at the Manatee County Fair in January. The award recipient has their footprints cast in concrete which are placed at the Historic Manatee County Courthouse in Bradenton.

This year, Popi and Manny Ameres were selected as the 2023 Distinguished Citizens for Manatee County. One of the letters written on their behalf, it describes them perfectly. “Popi and Manny Ameres have always had a heart for people, especially for the community that gave them the chance to have the American Dream. Because they love Manatee and Sarasota Counties so much, they always had the heart to give back to those who supported them for so many years”. Both Popi and Manny were born in Greece and came to Manatee County in 1975 to begin their life’s work and raise their wonderful family. Congratulations to both Popi and Manny Ameres! Manatee County is a better place because of you.

Congratulations to Popi & Manny County Fair's Distinguished Citizen's Award for all you do for the communities!

Spring 2023/18

Spring 2023/9

Meet Kyle Robinson

Greetings! My name is Kyle Robinson, and I am the President-Elect of the Florida Strawberry Festival. I will be taking over the day-to-day operations for the Festival upon Paul Davis’ retirement in April. While I will be new to the position of Festival president, I have been a longtime visitor of the Festival and made many fond memories here with my family and as a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. I look forward to serving the Florida Strawberry Festival and the Florida Federation of Fairs & Livestock Shows community for many years to come.

Some of my fondest childhood memories were spent riding the golf cart through the Festival midway with my grandfather and former Festival President Jack Dempsey. My sisters and I spent many years visiting the festival to ride the Ferris wheel, eat loads of cotton candy and candied apples, and snag a stuffed animal or two. I can recall how fun it was sharing in the excitement with my family at that time. The Festival atmosphere is like no other. It’s like “old home week” when the city and visitors from far and wide come together to share in celebrating the sweet strawberry that has come to make us so famous. However, it wasn’t until many years later in my life, in my career as a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office, that I formed a deep appreciation for the Festival and the individuals behind the berry.

Prior to my employment with the Festival, I worked for the Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office for 27 years and devoted 25 years working security for the 11-day event. Working the Festival was a privilege not too many attain, and I feel blessed that I was given so many memorable years. The Festival’s relationship with law enforcement, specifically the Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office spans many decades. The time- honored alliance between our organizations has cultivated a unique partnership that values the importance of security and safety of the fair-going public. In my earliest years working the 11-day event, I remember meeting a highly decorated veteran deputy seated at the pit of the stage sharing his excitement for the Festival with fellow officers, guests, and quite frankly, anyone who was willing to listen! His enthusiasm for the Festival was infectious. Little did I know it at the time, but this supremely tailored, mustached man would have an enormous impact on the future of the Festival and my life. His name was Paul Davis.

I am honored to have been selected to serve the Florida Strawberry Festival as President. It is humbling to know the board of directors, associate directors, staff, and Paul have enough confidence in me to serve in this capacity. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul for the years of mentorship he has afforded me without which I surely would not be where I am today both professionally and personally. Paul is a trailblazer of innovative ideas, has superior management techniques, is a natural-born leader and, more importantly, a righteous family man we all can aspire to exemplify. He has gained local and state recognition for his outstanding leadership skills and commitment to excellence. We thank you for your service, Paul. I know I have big shoes to fill, and, like always, I hope to make you proud.

I knew I was in the right place at the right time when I walked into the Festival administrative office to see our staff – my new Festival family – gathered around the table reading scripture and joining together in prayer. Not too many people can say they have two dream jobs, but I am blessed with the opportunity of a lifetime. The Festival is different because of the people who put their heart and soul into this organization. The spirit of the Festival is alive and well in this community with more than 2,500 volunteers who come together each year to make our event possible. Make no mistake, the Lord has shown His favor on our event, and we are grateful for his wisdom and protection. We will continue to seek his guidance in all we do.

I am looking forward to the future of the Florida Strawberry Festival with high hopes. As we move into a new era, it is my wish that we continue to preserve the past and move forward with excitement and hope for a bright future. We aim to share a fresh Festival experience with our guests for many years to come.

This year’s convention theme is "The Greatest Fairs on Earth" and will be held May 18th through the 20th at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando. I encourage you to attend the summer convention to share in celebrating the 72 years of Florida Federation of Fairs & Livestock Shows. It will be a great time to network with executives from within our industry and fellowship with friends from across the Central Florida area.

Stay safe, my friends, and God Bless.

Kyle Robinson President- Elect Florida Strawberry Festival®