Volusia County Fair wins state award!

At the annual convention of the Florida Federation of Fairs in St. Augustine this May, the Volusia County Fair & Youth Show was once again named a “Blue Ribbon Fair.”  This designation shows the Volusia County Fair & Youth Show is a top fair in the state that excels in a rigorous judging process and is an award the Fair has received annually since 2001.

The mission of the Florida Federation of Fairs is to increase the overall quality of Florida's Agricultural Fairs, provide the members the support and guidance needed to enlighten our youth and fairgoers on agriculture, trade, entertainment and the heritage of Florida.

For additional information about the award of the Florida Federation of Fairs, please contact Thom Giordano, Volusia County Fair & Youth Show marketing director, at (386) 734-9515.

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. 

Orchid Show May 12 - 13 at the Fairgrounds

Don't forget the Volusia County Orchid Society Show and Sale this weekend at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, presented by the Volusia County Orchid Society.

The event will be Saturday and Sunday, May 12-13, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Great plants and custom floral arrangements at very low prices. Go to www.vcosonline.org for your $1-off admission coupon.

Happy Mother's Day!

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.

March brings crafters, bikers and coin collectors to Volusia County Fairgrounds

February has Valentine’s Day, but what’s not to love about March? March will be another busy month at the Volusia County Fair & Expo Center, including the Down the Street Bead Show & Sale, Bike Week camping, an Antique Motorcycle Auction and the returning Coin Show & Sale.

The Down the Street Bead Show & Sale starts the month off, returning to the Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, March 3, and from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, March 4.  For an entrance fee of $5, bead lovers and crafters can purchase beads and findings of all varieties, take classes on topics that cover doll-making and soldering, or shop the handmade jewelry from a variety of artists and vendors.  Download a $1-off coupon from www.downthestreetbeadshow.com.

ABATE of Florida is organizing Bike Week camping at the Fairgrounds, and gates will be open from noon Friday, March 9, to noon Sunday, March 18. General admission fees start at $15 plus tax per day, or $90 plus tax for the full week. No reservations are necessary. Visit www.abateflorida.com/bikeweek.php for more information.

From Wednesday, March 14, through Friday, March 16, the Volusia County Fair & Expo Center will be hosting J Wood and Company’s 25^th annual Antique Motorcycle Auction, where bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts can meet to buy and sell vintage motorcycles. On March 15, patrons can participate in an auction for parts and memorabilia, and participate in a bike auction March 16.  Visit www.jwoodandcompany.com for schedule updates.  

The Coin Sale & Show will be in town Friday, March 16, through Sunday, March 18, beginning at 9 a.m. Coin collectors can browse and buy coin exhibitions and other related supplies. 

Crafts, RVs and Cats fill February Volusia County Fair and Expo Center Calendar

November’s Volusia County Fair has come and gone, but the Expo Center on S.R. 44 in DeLand knows no downtime, and February 2012 is no exception. From Feb. 1 through 26, the facility is hosting weekly events, including Senior Expo on Feb. 1, the Buckler Craft Fair Feb. 4 and 5, Florida’s RV Sale & Show February 16 - 19 and the Cat Club of Palm Beaches February 25 - 26.  

Volusia County Fair & Expo Center is kicking off the month with the West Volusia Senior Expo; it’s an opportunity for visitors to meet local businesses to learn more about their products and services. Seminars, giveaways, health screenings, demos, entertainment and more run from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1.  Admission and parking are free.

The Buckler Craft Fair is returning to the Fair & Expo Center from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, and 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5. Admission for adults is $6 and free for children. Buckler’s visitors will enjoy free parking; and those who donate a canned good can receive $3 dollars off one adult ticket.  Buckler Craft Fair offers patrons a wide variety of merchandise, such as jewelry, furniture, clothing, and toys, plus handmade fudge and gourmet foods.  For more information, visit www.bucklercraftfair.com.

The Florida RV Sale and Show, one of the Florida Trade Association’s most popular RV events, returns from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, through Sunday, Feb. 19. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 16 and under. To learn more about the RV Trade Association and its events, visit www.frvta.org.

The Cat Club of Palm Beaches will be visiting the Volusia County Fair Saturday, Feb. 25 and Sunday, Feb. 26. The Cat Club of Palm Beaches will be presenting their 10-ring, all-breed cat show. Show hours begin 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday; Sunday’s show hours are 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Check-in time for participants is Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Visit www.cfasouthern.com/shows.html for more information.