An Annual Tradition of Laughs, Thrills and Togetherness at the South Florida Fair

January 26th, 2025

My family and I made our annual trip to the fair this past Saturday, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! After a week of cold, rainy gloom, Saturday graced us with perfect weather—sunny skies, a light breeze, and the kind of warmth that makes you crave fair food. This year’s theme, “Imagine the Future,” was on full display the moment we stepped into the expo center. From interactive exhibits to high-tech entertainment, it felt like stepping into a carnival from the year 2050! Even the ice show embraced the theme with a sci-fi spectacle that had the whole audience captivated.

Speaking of the ice show—what a blast! The skaters dazzled with gravity-defying moves, but my son’s favorite part? The glow-in-the-dark juggling act on ice! Who knew neon bowling pins could be so mesmerizing? The costume changes were nonstop—aliens, robots, space explorers—it was like watching a futuristic Broadway production on skates.

But the magic show with Josh Knotts may have stolen the spotlight. This wasn’t your ordinary “pick-a-card” kind of magic. Josh made a motorcycle appear out of thin air with several volunteered children on stage with him, used props we had never seen before (including a robotic dinosaur in a dream sequence!) and had the audience roaring with laughter. The highlight? Watching two unsuspecting dads get pulled on stage for an impromptu toilet paper dance-off. It was pure comedic gold.

South Florida Fair. photo by Louis Shapiro

Of course, the fair isn’t just about the shows—it’s about the thrills! After marveling at the art exhibits and learning some fun facts about bees (did you know they can recognize human faces?), we hit the midway. Rides, games, and flashing lights stretched in every direction. The little ones in our group were thrilled to finally be tall enough for the big-kid rides, and we spent the better part of the day spinning, soaring, and screaming our lungs out on one of the rides.

Then came the ultimate challenge: choosing what to eat. Sure, the classics were there—pizza, cotton candy, cinnamon rolls—but we were feeling adventurous. Korean corndogs? Yes, please. Mexican street corn? A must. Donut burgers? Why not! And for the truly daring—chocolate-covered bacon. Let’s just say we left the fair with full stomachs and zero regrets.

By nightfall, the fairgrounds were packed, and the lines started to get longer. We didn’t make it to the animal exhibits this year (sorry, roosters—we’ll catch you next time), but after a day packed with excitement, we were ready to call it a night. The only downside? The traffic getting in and out of the fair was no joke. Parking was a bit of a nightmare, with some folks having to what seemed like a mile just to reach the entrance. Here’s hoping for a smoother system next year!

The South Florida Fair is always a guaranteed good time. Whether you’re catching a live band, indulging in deep-fried delights, shopping for quirky finds, or screaming your heart out on a carnival classic, there’s something for everyone. The only challenge? Figuring out how to squeeze it all into one day!