January 2013 Brings Trains, Gems and Antiques to the Volusia County Fair & Expo Center

Though the holidays have come and gone, the family-fun events planned at The Volusia County Fair & Expo Center continue in January 2013, as the Fairgrounds host the Golden Spike Rail Show, Tomoka Gem & Mineral Sale, Antique Show and Senior Expo in the New Year.

The two-day Golden Spike Rail Show & Sale, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday through Sunday, Jan. 5 – 6, will showcase hundreds of model trains and railroad antiques in the Tommy Lawrence Arena. Popular train models include Lionel, American Flyer, LGBM, Marklin and many more.  Admission to the show and sale is $8; children 12 and under are admitted free. Visit www.gserr.com for $1-off admission coupon, or for more information, contact Alan Altman at (813) 949-7197.

 The annual Tomoka Gem & Mineral Show & Sale returns at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12. The show, “Fossils and Gems of the Southeast United States,” will be in Tommy Lawrence Arena from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13. Admission is $4.

The Antique Show & Sale will take place on Friday through Sunday, Jan. 25 – 27, at the Volusia County Fairgrounds. Adult admission is $6 on Friday, and $4 Saturday and Sunday, while children are admitted free. Event times are from 1 –5 p.m. Friday, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday. Contact Jim Antone or Donna Poor at (904) 755-2586 for more show details.

Funding out a busy month at the Volusia County Fairgrounds is the Senior Expo, Wednesday, Jan. 30. From 10 a.m.  – 2 p.m., the public is invited to meet local business representatives and learn about companies’ products and services available in our community. Giveaways, health screenings, entertainment and more are part of the free admission.

August at the Fairgrounds: Derby race, cat show and Wild West fundraiser

As the Central Florida temperatures continue to heat up, so does the action at the Volusia County Fairgrounds! This August, the Fairgrounds’ schedule includes competition by the Thunder City Roller Derby (the team’s last bout of the season), fabulous felines competing for love and prizes in the six-ring Tropical Cat Show, and a wildly popular Junior Service League fundraiser.

On Saturday, Aug. 11, The Thunder City Derby Sirens return to their Saturday night venue as they compete against the Gold Coast Derby Grrls at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Presale tickets are $8 (www.derbysirens.com) or $10 at the door. Tickets for children ages 6 and up are half-price, while children 5 and under are admitted free.

The Tropical Cat Show returns to the Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and children age 7 and up (children under 7 are admitted free).  Family ticket packages are available for $15; for details, visit www.catshows.us.

The Tropical Cat Show is a six-ring CFA all-breed cat and household pet show, with a 225-entry limit. Judges Don Williams, Wayne Trevathan, Barbara Summer, Rachel Anger, Carla Bizzell and Vicki Abelson will dole out rosettes and ribbons to winning entries.

The Junior Service League of DeLand is holding its popular Wild West fundraising event at the Fairgrounds on Saturday, Aug. 25. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Tommy Lawrence Arena. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door, and are available from Junior Service League members or through several DeLand-based businesses, including Mainstreet Community Bank (Downtown DeLand branch) and Quality Quickprint. Visit www.jsofdeland.org for details.

Youths planning to show livestock during the Nov. 1-11 Volusia County Fair & Youth Show are reminded to register their livestock at the Fairgrounds by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31.  Entry forms must have an attached bill of sale, a notarized waiver and a livestock-owner certificate. Incomplete and late entry forms will not be accepted; photocopying is not available at the Fair office and all documents should be completed in advance. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Fair office at (386) 734-9514 with questions regarding livestock entries.

Volusia County Fair announces 2012 headlining acts

The 68th annual Volusia County Fair & Youth Show in DeLand has announced the 2012 Fair Concert Series for the “South’s Greatest County Fair.” From Nov. 1 – Nov. 11, 2012, fans are invited to gather their friends and family and head on over to the Fairgrounds for three amazing performances: Tracy Lawrence, The Letterman and The Farm.  Concerts during the Volusia County Fair & Youth Show are free with gate admission, and limited general admission seating is available for all performances. 

Tracy Lawrence kicks off the 2012 Volusia County Fair Concert Series at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3. Performing his first hits “Paint Me a Birmingham" and "Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” to "Renegades, Rebels and Rogues" and the soundtrack of the movie “Maverick,” Lawrence will have fans singing along and dancing in the aisles. Lawrence is credited with four consecutive No. 1 hits – "Alibis," "Can't Break it to My Heart," "My Second Home," and "If the Good Die Young" – and continues to thrill fans around the world.

At 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6, The Lettermen will be performing on the Fair’s annual “Senior Day.”  While letter sweaters may make only a brief appearance, The Lettermen harmony promises to make a non-stop showing. From their first hit "The Way You Look Tonight" (1961), through current hits of today, the group’s sound remains distinct. Eighteen gold albums and scores of top singles attest to The Lettermen’s popularity and a style that generations have enjoyed.

The Letterman brought words to the Percy Faith hit, "Theme From A Summer Place," revived the classic Charlie Chaplin song, "Smile,” warmed us with "Our Winter Love,” and  begged, "Come Back Silly Girl.” In 1966, The Letterman produced one of the most loved holiday albums ever recorded, "For Christmas This Year.” Late 1967 brought about a live album, and arguably the group's most loved and requested hit, "Goin' Out Of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes Off You.”

Rounding out this year’s concerts will be up-and-coming group The Farm, set to perform on Saturday, Nov.10 at 8 p.m. The group’s hit “Home Sweet Home,” is climbing the charts; its debut, album The Farm, Inc., launched July 17.

In many ways, The Farm is a hybrid act: a trio deeply rooted in country music, which also folds in sonic elements from a variety of popular-music genres. All the while, however, the group has solid vocal harmony at its core.

 

Volusia County Fair & Expo Center Welcomes Railroad Show and Sirens Roller Derby this July

Summer in Central Florida just got a bit faster! Rolling into the Volusia County Fair & Expo Center July 14 will be the Railroad Show & Sale, and the Red, White & Bruised Thunder City Derby Sirens Roller Derby. Plus, July 2 kicks off preparations for the 2012 Volusia County Fair as applications will start being accepted for community arts and horticulture exhibits during the Nov. 1-11 event.

With only five months remaining until the 2012 Volusia County Fair & Expo, now is the time to submit applications for all divisions in livestock, baked goods, creative arts, sewing, canning, photography, Amateur Talent Show, Miss Volusia County Fair, and horticulture exhibits, including bees and honey.

Applicants are encouraged to turn in all paperwork during Fair office hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) now through October 5 except for all Livestock being due August 31, 2012. For a complete list of entries and exhibitions, contact the Volusia County Fair office at (386) 734-9515 or download the 2012 Exhibitor, Livestock and Small Animal Handbooks from the Fair’s website, www.volusiacountyfair.com.

The 40th Annual Florida Rail Show & Sale returns to the Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, July 14. More than 200 tables of model trains and railroad collectibles will be for sale and viewing. Visit www.gserr.com for more details and a $1 off admission coupon.

The Sirens Roller Derby returns to the Fairgrounds at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 14. Spectators can enjoy some swift competition between the Thunder City Derby Sirens and Dub City, which begins at 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $10 at the door, $8 in advance. Tickets for children ages 6-12 are half-price, while children age 5 and under are admitted free. Visit www.derbysirens.com for more information and to purchase tickets. 

June brings Youth Show contenders, Roller Derby and Health Fair to the Volusia County Fair & Expo Center

Year-round activities at the Volusia County Fair & Expo Center continue this June with Youth Show livestock weigh-ins, a Roller Derby, and the 6^th annual Univision community health fair.

The 2012 Volusia County Fair & Youth Show may be six months away, but for school-aged participants looking to show their livestock and small animals in the Nov. 1-11 competition, the time to start preparing is now. Youngsters interested in showing their livestock or small animals in the 2012 Volusia County Fair are encouraged to turn in all paperwork during Fair office hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) from June 1 through August 31. Competitors are encouraged to call the Fair office at (386) 734-9515 for more details.

On a similar note, the first 2012 market steer weigh-in will be Saturday, June 9, from 8 – 10 a.m. Entry forms, waivers, and fees for participants in the 2012 Volusia County Fair & Youth Show are due at that time.  Spectators are welcome and admission and parking is free.

Do you love bunnies? If you do, you'll probably enjoy seeing the cutest, fluffiest, most loved ones around at the Florida Rabbit & Cavy Show that begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, and concludes when all animals are judged. The event is hosted by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, which serves Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Puerto Rico. Parking and admission are free, and the event is open to the public.

It's Roller Derby Night at the Volusia County Fair & Expo Center again on Saturday, June 9! Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and competition between the Thunder City Derby Sirens and Lakeland Derby Dames begins at 7 p.m.  Adult tickets are $10 at the door, $8 in advance. Children ages 6-12 are half-price, children age 5 and under are admitted free. Visit www.derbysirens.com for more event information and tickets.

The 6^th annual Feria de Salud y Comunidad “Community Health Fair” will be from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, June 23, inside the Tommy Lawrence Arena.  The free health event is expected to attract 2,500, and its purpose is to provide health information and community resources to the community. 

39th Annual Model Train and Railroad Artifact Show Returns April 14

April 14 marks the return of the annual Model Train and Railroad Artifact Show at Volusia County Fairgrounds. The event, now in its 39th year, will take place inside the Tommy Lawrence Arena from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $7 for ages 12 and up, and free for children under 12. Plenty of free parking is available.
The Model Train and Railroad Artifact show is Florida’s largest combination show for “modelers” and “rail buffs”. With more than 200 tables at each show on average, patrons can expect to see models from past and present such as Lionel, American Flyer, LGB, Marklin or Ives Trains. Enthusiasts may also find dining-car china, lanterns, switch locks and keys, calendars, timetables or any other artifacts utilized by railroads.

The event is organized and promoted by Golden Spike Enterprises Inc., which also organizes the two-day January show at the Fairgrounds, typically welcoming 100 vendors and 2,500 guests. Attendees of the April 14 Model Train and Railroad Artifact Show will be able to relive the glory days of railroading in Florida when the Seaboard Railroad, Florida East Coast Railroad and the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad were king.

For more information about the 39th Annual Model Train and Railroad Artifact Show, please contact Alan Altman at (813) 949-7197, Charles Miller at (386) 736-8185, or visit www.gserr.com for more information.