Fair opens Thursday
Since it opened in 1924, the Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair has brought lasting memories and thrills to hundreds of thousands of people.
Starting Thursday, Feb. 27, the fair is again expected to do just that for the 96th time when it opens at the Lee Civic Center. Now in its 42nd year at that location, the fair will continue through Sunday, March 8.
The fair once again will feature the kids from 4-H showing off their livestock for the judges, thrilling rides, fun shows and incredibly delicious fair fare for everyone to enjoy.
As usual, there will be amazing specials throughout the 11 days of the fair. It all starts at 4 p.m. on Thursday with the sneak peek, with $20 admission and rides.
Friday, Feb. 28, will feature free gate admission from 4 to 6 p.m. with free rides from 5 to 6 p.m.
That will be followed by Moonlight Madness from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., where a $25 wristband will get you entrance and on all the rides. There will be a second one the following Friday.
Saturdays and Sundays will feature $40 wristbands after regular admission costs with things starting at 11 a.m. It will be during the week where the real specials happen.
Monday is Harry Chapin & Old-Fashioned Dollar Day, featuring free admission with the donation of three canned goods and $1 rides with the purchase of 10.
Next is $15 Tuesday, with that being the cost of a wristband after admission. Wednesday is Senior and Military Day, with $5 admission from 2 to 5 p.m. After 5 p.m. are $20 wristbands. Thursday offers pay-one-price for $25, including gate admission and rides. There will also be a Last Blast Special on the final day of the fair, which is usually kept a secret until the day before.
Throughout the fair there will be lots of free shows, including Billy Lindsey, Lady Houdini, The Moogician, Pauly & The Goodfellas, Those Funny Little People, Eudora Farms Petting Zoo, Matt’s Family Jam, Ron Diamond Hypnosismagic, Danny Grant’s Cowboy Circus, Fritzy Brothers One-Man Circus and much more.
There will be livestock shows daily, with awards given for the best pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits and more, leading up to the Market Animal Auction on Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m.
Inside the civic center will include The Crafting Corner, The Community Stage, where school choruses, bands and dance teams will perform, a 4-H Talent Show, a 5th grade math bee, school and 4-H Club booth exhibits and the Miss Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair Beauty Contest.
Mega Passes can be purchased for $25 until Wednesday, which includes admission and rides.
Adult admission is $10 and children 6 to 11 is $5. Tickets are $8 adult and $4 children id purchased in advance. Parking is free. Gates open Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays at 4 p.m. and Wednesday at 2 p.m.
The Lee County Civic Center is at 11831 Bay Shore Road in North Fort Myers.
For more information, visit swflcfair.com.