Fair marks 99th year
The Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair has been entertaining people for nearly a century with great rides, talented performers, all kinds of livestock and delicious (if not necessarily nutritious) food.
The 99th edition of the fair will take place from Feb. 23 to March 5 at the Lee Civic Center, which has served as the venue since 1979 after the event spent nearly 60 years at Terry Park.
After two years of COVID and on the heels of one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit Southwest Florida, Fair Board President Mike Peak said they are ready to go. Last year’s fair drew more than 100,000 people and they hope that trend continues.
“We don’t have any fears about the economy. We think people will be willing to pay for entertainment. We don’t scale back much, we think people still want to enjoy themselves,” Peak said.
Peak added that Hurricane Ian didn’t do much damage to the grounds or to the building, so there shouldn’t be much they can’t do.
“We feel very blessed to have the fair without having sustained much damage to make it so we couldn’t do it,” Peak said. “We’re hoping for good weather throughout the 11 days.”
Although the fair is advertised as “Making Memories since 1924,” the roots of the fair run a little deeper.
In 1910, a carnival on McGregor Boulevard served as a precursor to the fair, featuring a Seminole Indian tribe that performed its tribal dances. The carnival ended in 1917 when the United States entered World War I.
Two years later, the first Lee County Fair was held at Terry Park, a former cow pasture located just a couple of miles east of downtown Fort Myers, on Palm Beach Boulevard. The Lee County Commissioners allocated $250 to staff for the first fair.
In 1924, the name was changed to the Southwest Florida Fair, which it has been named ever since, making just one move in all those years.
One of the bread-and-butter attractions at the fair is the livestock. The kids at 4-H will put up the animals they have raised for months. Pigs, rabbits, chickens, beef and more will be judged and eventually auctioned off.
“The number of entrants has been about the same over the past few years. That hasn’t fallen off, so that’s good,” Peak said.
There also will be ribbons handed out in the civic center for artwork, crafts, fabrics and threads, home gardening, horticulture, photography, decoration and tablescapes. People from age 5 to 85 can compete in five age groups.
As for the entertainment, there always are local performers on the civic center stage dancing and singing. The Cowboy Circus with Danny Grant is returning, but aside from that, it was still a little too early to determine who exactly will be there, Peak said in a January interview.
The fair starts on Thursday, Feb. 23, with the Dollar Day Special, with $1 admission and $1 rides with a minimum purchase of 10.
Friday, Feb. 24 features a free gate from 4 to 6 p.m. and free rides for 5 to 6 p.m. It will also be the first Moonlight Madness from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. where $30 gets you on all the rides. March 3 will off a second Moonlight Madness.
Saturday, Feb. 25, Sunday, Feb. 26, and March 4 offers $40 ridebands after paying your admission.
There will be great specials during the week. Monday, Feb. 27, is Harry Chapin Food Bank Night with free admission with three canned goods per person and $1 rides.
Tuesday, Feb. 28, is $15 Tuesday, with $15 ridebands after paying admission. Wednesday, March 1 is Senior Day, with a 2 p.m. gate open. Kiddie Land opens at 2 p.m., with $10 ridebands.
Thursday, March 2, is $25 Pay-One-Price, where admission and all the rides are $25. The final Sunday, March 5, is the Last Blast Special, which is a surprise.
A Mega Pass can be used each day of the fair and are only on sale until the day before the fair begins. Advance admissions are $8 for adults and $4 for kids 4 to 12. Gate admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Kids 3 and under are in for free.
Retired and active military get free admission all day every day. First Responders Day is Saturday, March 4. All must show their valid IDs and proof of service.
There will also be a new policy at the entrance gate, requiring all who come to the fair to have clear bags for safety and because the insurance company has requested it, as it has become a national trend at the larger venues.
The Lee Civic Center is at 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers.
Visit swflcfair.com for more information including daily specials, calendar of events and hours of operation. NFMNL
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com