Nov 13, 2009 12:47 am US/Eastern
Economy, Unique Location Force Broward Fair "Lite"
Get information on the fair here.
POMPANO BEACH (CBS4) ―
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Broward County Fair, Inc./CBS
The Broward County Fair starts next weekend, but don't look for rides, elephant ears, or games of skill. No giant bears to win. No midway. No food booths. No attractions. The 33rd annual fair has been moved inside a mall this year, a first for a Florida county fair, and that means some major changes in what fairgoers will find.
"What we didn't want to do was cancel the fair," said spokesperson Elaine Fitzgerald.
The only county fair in the state of Florida without a permanent home, fair organizers were unable to find a place this year to hold a traditional fair with a midway and concessions people have come to expect from the fair. Complicating things was the poor economy; the not-for-profit Broward County Fair has been hit by the economic downturn and found itself unable to fund a traditional fair, even if they could find a suitable location.
So what fairgoers will see starting next weekend is what might be called "Fair Lite".
The entire 9-day run of the fair will be held inside the Pompano Citi Center in Pompano Beach, and instead of focusing on rides and food, it will focus on livestock and student exhibits.
"That is a great loss for some, but it will give all fair visitors time to concentrate on what are the most essential and important elements of any and all Fairs...the community's agri-business and its students," said Fair Executive Director Ina Nadler. "Agri-business and the students of Broward County will not be forgotten."
There will be no charge to attend the re-designed fair, which will be centered on the mall's center courtyard and some nearby storefronts.
Fair officials admit this isn't quite what most people have come to expect from the fair, and agree that the idea of holding a "fair" inside of a mall is a bit unique.
But City Centre management had what fair officials did not, space for exhibits, and rather than disappointing kids who had made crafts, created art, and raised animals, fair organizers scaled down the event, re-focused it on the kids and the animals, and are hoping people will come out to support it without the traditional trappings.
Broward County Schools art students will re-design the entrance to the mall's courtyard. Students with plants to display have found room at the Lowe's garden center in the mall. Animal exhibits will be near the entrance to Sears, just off the central courtyard. The spelling bee will be in a room over Lenscrafters.
Shoppers will be able to look for gifts and see pigs and chickens in the same trip.
"These things are very important to lots of kids," Fitzgerald said. "Not to have a place to display them would have disappointed a lot of people."
In addition to the student displays, fair organizers have found room for the popular contests and events which have always been a part of the fair. In addition to the spelling bee, other events like Baby Beautiful, Miss Broward County Fair, Talent, Step Dance and Drumline competitions will be held on the courtyard's community stage.
Fair officials don't know how many people will come specifically to see the exhibits, but they're quick to point out that they don't expect this to be a permanent change.
The biggest problem is a lack of space. Creating a suitable temporary fairground each year has been a bureaucratic and financial challenge, as the permits needed and infrastructure required has been a challenge for the fair's non-profit sponsors.
"I can't really say anything about it now," said Fitzgerald, but she said fair organizers are working toward major changes for next year's fair.
This year's fair will from from November 20th through November 29th, and will be open noon-9 p.m. every day except Sunday, when the fair closes at 6 p.m., and Thanksgiving, when like the mall the fair will be closed.
2009 Broward County Fair Schedule
All events at Pompano City Centre, Federal Highway (US1) and Copans Road, Pompano Beach
STUDENT AND COMMUNITY EXHIBITS:
Noon to 9pm weekdays & Sat,
noon to 6pm Sun (Excluding Thanksgiving)
HORTICULTURE EXHIBITS:
On display in the Lowe's Garden Center
during regular Garden Center Hours
COMMUNITY STAGE (Center Court):
Fri, Nov. 20
Awards Ceremony 6:00pm
Step Team Competition 7:00pm
Sat, Nov. 21
Art & Jazz Festival 11:00am
Presented by Pompano Citi Centre
-Benefits Light of the World Clinic
Noche Latina 4-9:00pm
Featuring: SunDanz, Artistic Expressions & City of God
Sun, Nov. 22
NASCAR Street Tour 12-6:00pm
Words to Live By I Noon
AMP Band 1:00pm
Music by Lauderdale Lakes Middle School Students 3:00pm
Vision Dance Studio 5:00pm
Mon, Nov. 23
Words to Live By 6:00pm
Xpress Yourself Dancers 7:00pm
Tue, Nov. 24
Words to Live By 6:00pm
Drum Line Competition sponsored by ProMark 7:00pm
Pompano Beach High School Chorus 8:00pm
Wed, Nov. 25
Girl Scouts Sing-A-Long 6:00pm
Scripture (Band) 7:00pm
Thu, Nov. 26
THANKSGIVING CLOSED
Fri, Nov. 27
Critter Crowning 12:30pm
Pennhouse Productions 1:00pm
The Villagers of John Knox Village 2:30pm
ATT Karate 4:00pm
Cliff & Company 5:00pm
Alternative Music Showcase 7:00pm
Sat, Nov. 28
Dynamyk Entertainment Inc. Noon
Baby Beautiful Pageant 1:00pm
Face of Hip Hop 2:00pm
Actors Inc. 3:00pm
Talent Competition 4:00pm
Cliff & Company 5:00pm
Pro-Am Dancers 6:00pm
Charity Auction 7:00pm
Sun, Nov. 29
Miss Broward County Fair Competition
--Little Miss Broward County Fair 2:00pm
--Young Miss Broward County Fair 3:00pm
--Jr. Miss Broward County Fair 4:00pm
--Miss Broward County Fair 5:00pm
ANIMAL SHOWS:
Fri, Nov. 27
Market Lamb 12-4:00pm
Rabbits & Poultry 12-4:00pm
Sat, Nov. 28
Beef Cattle Show 1:00pm
Sun, Nov. 29
Market Steer Futurity Show 11:30am
Market Lamb Show 2:00pm
EVENTS:
Fri, Nov. 20
High School Spirit Night 7:00pm
Sat, Nov. 21
Spelling Bee - Located above LensCrafters 1-4:00pm
Sun, Nov. 22
NASCAR Street Tour 12-6:00pm
Fri, Nov. 27
AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour 12-9:00pm
Senior Day 1-6:00pm
Sat, Nov. 28
BP Oil presents "Renew Your Valves Tour" 12-6:00pm
Santa Arrives at Pompano Citi Centre Noon
All New Prize Treasure Hunt 1-4:00pm
Beekeeper Visit 12-7:00pm
AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour 12-9:00pm
Sun, Nov. 29
BP Oil presents "Renew Your Valves Tour" 12-6:00pm
AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour 12-6:00pm
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