Family Fun for Everyone at this year’s county fair beginning Monday | Local News

In Citrus County, there are a few things you can count on: manatees in winter, love bugs in May and the county fair at the end of March.

This year’s fair starts Monday, March 28, and runs through Sunday, April 3.

This year’s theme, “Family Fun for Everyone!,” means there’s something for all ages: from carnival rides to karaoke, contests to ‘cowboy circus,” live music to livestock, plus food, food and more food.

Here are the Top 6 reasons not to miss the 2022 Citrus County Fair:

1. Midway rides (of course). Spin, drop and/or fly on the Belle City Amusement midway rides beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, continuing daily through 10 p.m. Saturday, April 2.

Special prices include Tuesday Carload Night $30 for up to six people, Reduced Armband $20 from 5-10 p.m., Wednesday Chronicle Night Armband Special $23 with Chronicle coupon, Thursday Midnight Magic $25 Carnival Armband from 7 p.m. to midnight and Friday School Day Armband $25 from 1-5 p.m. and 7-11 p.m.

Also: Saturday Night Magic $25 Armband Special 6-10 p.m. and Sunday Carnival Ride Bonus $25 from 2-7 p.m.

2. Food, glorious fair food. Crackerbillies’ fried gator, candy apples from The Apple Cart, Asian Grill & Rice, Smitty’s buttermilk corn dogs, funnel cakes, kettlecorn, frozen treats, deep-fried everything. Come hungry.

3. Entertainment. Dylan Gerard in concert 7 p.m. Saturday, April 2 in the county auditorium. Admission is $5, not including gate admission.

Gerard comes from Macclenny, Florida, and appeared on Adam Levine’s team on “The Voice” season 13. He has opened for Country legends Hank Williams Jr., Clint Black and Trace Atkins.

Also performing on the 41 Stage throughout the week: Jimmy Mowrey Acoustic, from season 16 of “The Voice,” and Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant.

Reflections Dance Studio will be performing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, in the county auditorium, and the Citrus Youth Educational Symphonic Orchestra will be performing at 7 p.m. Friday, also in the county auditorium.

4. Competitive exhibits. Historically, the county fair was where people brought the works of their hands, from artwork to plants and produce, jellies, pies and cakes, their breads and quilts hoping to win a prized blue ribbon.

Come and see what your neighbors and friends can do.

5. Animals. Two-legged or four, livestock animals raised by kids and teens are the mainstay of county fairs. Stop by the barn for a visit or sit in the arena and watch a skill-a-thon.

6. Contests. Like to sing? Sign up for the karaoke contest Thursday, March 31. Registration is at 6 and the contest starts at 7 p.m. in the county auditorium. Cash prizes.

Have a kid who likes pie? Youth pie-eating contest is at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 2 at the auditorium picnic area. Pre-registration is required.

Also on Saturday, a youth public speaking contest is at 12:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Come and support local students.

Miscellaneous: Patriot Games Mobile Laser Tag, lots of local vendors, strolling entertainers, Daisy Mae the Cow educational display, Citrus Model RR Club exhibit and much more.

The fairgrounds is at 3600 S Florida Ave, Inverness, FL 34450.

General Admission is $8 ages 11 and older, $5 ages 4-10, ages 3 and younger are free.

Wednesday is Senior and Military Day. Seniors 55 and older and Military admission is $5 for the entire day.

On “School Day,” Friday, April 1, students are free until 5 p.m.

Sunday, April 3, gate admission is free.

For detailed information go to www.citruscountyfair.com.