Baby Pageant, Chili Mark Last Day for Hillsborough County Fair

The Hillsborough County Fair winds up today, Oct. 21, with a day filled with exhibits, shows, vendors, midway rides and more at the Hillsborough County  Fairgrounds in Dover. Of special note are the chili cook-off presented by Rotarians and the fair's Harvest Pageant for babies and children.

"The fair is great, it's getting better every year," said George Parker, who has a years-long association with the fair, serving on the board and as a past president and chairman. "Every year we have improvements."

Those improvements are to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds in Dover, just east of Brandon off State Road 60, at 217 Sydney Washer Road. Improvements this year include paved roads, street lights and sidewalks. Coming soon, two new structures, each with 20,000 square feet: a covered facility for livestock shows; and an enclosed, multi-use, multipurpose facility for exhibitions, special events, shows and community rentals.

First, though, comes the wrap up for the final day of the 2012 Hillsborough County Fair, which marks the fifth year the fair has been at its permanent home just east of Brandon in Dover. In years past, the fair was held at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Raymond James Stadium and the Winthrop Pole Barn.

Today's final day includes a chili cook-off contest presented by the Rotary Club of FishHawk/Riverview. Also, the Harvest Pageant for babies and children.

General Admission to the fair costs $7 for adults and $5 for students, ages 6 through high school. Children ages 5 and under are admitted for free. There is no charge for parking.

Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m.

The five-day fair opened Oct. 17, at 5 p.m., and is scheduled to close Oct. 21, at 9 p.m.

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2012 Hillsborough County Fair Schedule Highlights — Oct. 21

10 a.m. Gates Open 10 a.m. Chili Cook-off Noon Harvest Pageant for Babies and Children (Entertainment Tent) Noon, 3, 5, 7:30 Robinson's Racing Pigs 12:30, 3:30, 5:30 Firefighter Show 1:30, 4, 6:30 Horsest Got Talent Too 9 p.m. Gates Close

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2012 Hillsborough County Fair Events And Competitions
(For more information, click the "Events" or "Competitions" links)

EVENTS COMPETITIONS 4-H Foundation BBQ Dinner Battle of the Bands Antique Tractor, Trailer and Equipment Show Cow Whip Contest Babies & Kids Pageant Chili Cook-Off Bay Area Bandits Shooting Club Coloring Contest Children's Group Tours Kids Cooking Contest FNGLA Plant Auction Family Living Arts & Crafts Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Fundraiser Speed Shows Hay Bale Decorating Harvest Queen Pageant Spotlight Talent Competition Hillsborough County Talent Showcase Horticulture Competition Horse Show Recycled Yard Art Livestock Shows Scholarships Rodeo Visual Arts Swine Sale

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Brandon Patch has been posting Hillsborough County Fair updates daily. For more information, visit the Hillsborough County Fair Web site.

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