South Florida Fair is offering up an ocean-themed fun time in 2024 with music, rides and more
The 2024 South Florida Fair is here and this year will be filled to the gills (note the ocean-themed reference) with rides, shows, great music, arts and crafts, decadent food and more.
The 112-year-old event has been adopting an annual theme since 1993. Among other things, we've seen robots, and dinosaurs; this year is one to "Dive into the Fun" with a celebration of the ocean and marine wildlife. The themed expositions have proven to be some of the most popular attractions at the fair, and the ocean-centric theme is offering up a lot of fun options.
The fair will draw sea lions, sharks and stingrays (and also ships and pirates) to its inland venue off Southern Boulevard.
More: New rides, new food: 7 things to know about the 2024 South Florida Fair
The Sea Lion Splash features live sea lions putting on comedy and educational shows; the Live Shark Encounter presents a massive aquarium filled with the toothy predators and at the Live Stingray Encounter, patrons can safely view and even touch the amazing creatures.
On the human side of the equation, "The Dueling Pirates" performance features a huge set, pirate ships, Olympic springboards and an 80-foot-high high dive. Indoors, the marine-themed "Ice In Paradise" show features world-class skating with elaborate costumes and more.
More: Newly opened Boca Raton restaurant boasts massive menu, local ingredients
South Florida Fair 2024: new rides and great music
For die-hard landlubbers, this is still the fair. There will dozens of rides including the Cliff Hanger, Downdraft, Infinity, Rock Star, Sea Ray and many, many, more.
One of these, the Midway Sky Eye, is 155 feet tall and North America's largest, portable observation wheel. Promoted as the "ride of lifetime," it's so tall that it actually requires FAA clearance. It features 36 gondolas that hold six riders each and delivers a view from the top that stretches for miles. New rides this year include the double decker Venetian Carousel, Drag Strip Mega Slide, the high-speed Tesla and, for thrill seekers, the Cyclops.
Live music acts celebrating almost every genre of music will perform daily on multiple stages throughout the fair.
Among the headliners who will be taking the Coca-Cola Zero Sugar stage: Meat Loaf tribute band "Meet Loaf" on Saturday, Jan. 13; country music singer Justin Lee Partin on Sunday, Jan. 14; the Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Nuthin Fancy on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Also, singer/songwriter Taylor Austin Dye will bring her brand of Southern rock on Friday, Jan. 19; The Nameless bring a blend of hip hop and pop punk plus a dash of Latin culture Sunday, Jan. 21; Atlantic City Boys with their world-class vocals and comedy appear Monday, Jan. 22; and The Linkin Park Tribute Band out of Orlando are featured Friday, Jan. 26.
South Florida (better than) Fair food
Because it's not a fair without food, there will be plenty of that ― including traditional favorites but also some of the most incredibly delicious food you couldn't have dreamed of (or maybe you did dream of it but couldn't imagine someone would actually serve it up).
So, forget (or at least put them hold) those resolutions and go all in! Spend a few extra minutes on the treadmill, promise yourself you'll eat only kale for a week afterward or whatever, but dig into some decadent goodness and live!
Want some help on where to dig in first?
How does Rosie's Nachos sound? Debuting at the fair last year and even featured on the Cooking Channel's "Carnival Eats," Rosie's has got you covered (and smothered). Yes, there are chicken, steak and shrimp gourmet nachos, but let's go for dessert first (you know you want it). For 2024, Rosie's is introducing their Banana Cream Pie Nachos. This dish features cinnamon sugar-tossed tortilla chips topped with banana pudding, whipped cream, graham cracker crust and fresh banana pieces (see, it's healthy!). Dig in and live!
More: Bucket list: 55 best must-try things to do, hidden gems in Palm Beach County
In addition marine-themed shows, rides, music and food, there will be shows like "The Texas Trick Riders" featuring dozens of white horses, "Extreme Illusions & Escapes" with Josh Knotts, comedy hypnotist Brad Matchett and much more.
When does the 2024 South Florida Fair open in West Palm Beach? Tickets information and more
Where: 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach
When: Jan. 12 to 28
Cost and more information see website for ticket prices: southfloridafair.com
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He has lived in the West Palm Beach area for more than 30 years and, from mild to wild, will cover noteworthy community happenings. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: South Florida Fair 2024 opens: Location; tickets; Expo center info
