Transcript
[panel 1]
[Fairgrounds map with lettered buildings]
World's Largest Winter Exposition
The Florida State Fair is right in the heart of downtown Tampa…With 25 modern exhibit buildings and 300,000 square feet of floor space…grandstand, race track, Midway and other facilities, it attracts more than a million visitors each winter.
Don’t miss a single feature
Plan your tour of the Fair
SEE IT ALL! There’s so much to see and so much to do. Plan a leisurely tour of the Fair so you won’t miss a single interesting feature… the hundreds of elaborate exhibits, including those of Florida counties…auto races, thrill shows, stage presentations and the fun-packed Midway f Royal American Shows.
SEE FLORIDA! In this great show window of the Sunshine State, you’ll find displayed every phase of Florida’s progress and productivity.
Enjoy several days and nights at the Fair this year. Keep this folder handy for quick reference- for special events, building locations, and other information.
A. Snow Building
B. Administration Building
C. Electrical Exposition Building
D. Electric Building No. 2
E. Woman’s Building
F. Jackson Horticulture Hall
G. Art Building
H. Streider Building
I. Brorein Building
J. Midway, Royal American Shows
K. Grandstand and Bleachers
L. Pan American Building
M. Fire Station
N. Swine Building
O. Livestock Building
P. Poultry Building
Q. Rabbits, and Commercial Building
R. Fish and Game Building
S. Negro Exhibits
T. Commercial Building No. 1
U. Florida Building
V. Commercial Building No. 2
W. Red Cross Building
X. Commercial No. 3 and General Offices
Entrances
1. Main Gate
2. Boulevard Gate
3. Cass Street Café
4. East Gate
[panel 2]
Florida State Fair
and Gasparilla Celebration
Febraury 3-14
Tampa 1953
[Illustration of a male pirate]
[panel 3]
Special days of Fun, Thrills, Parades, and Pageantry
[The beginning letter of each paragraph is large and filled with a photograph of the event described in the paragraph.]
Auto Race Days
WED., FEB. 4
SAT., FEB. 7
SAT., FEB. 14
Action-packed races. Thrills and spills as America’s fastest dirt track drivers bring a crowded grandstand to its feet on every lap.
Shrine Day
TUES., FEB. 3
From early morning until late afternoon it’s Merry- making with a capital “M". Precision drills by famous marching teams are a high spot of the Shrine Parade. Everyone has fun on Shrine Day.
Armed Forces Day
THURS., FEB. 5
The Fair salutes the men of our Armed Forces and they participate in the impressive ceremonies that make this day one of patriotic enthusiasm. A crowded grandstand cheers as they pass in review.
Future Farmers Day
SAT., FEB. 7
From all over Florida hundreds of Future Farmers of America will come to celebrate the Silver Anniversary of this youth organization, and they'll find time for a world of fun, too.
Gasparilla Day
MON., FEB. 9
A half million will watch as the picturesque pirate crew of Gasparilla captures Tampa with the booming of cannon, fun and festival parade and pageant. You’ve never seen anything like it!
Governor’s Day
TUES., FEB. 10
After an active day in Tampa, Florida’s Chief Executive “checks up” on Florida’s agricultural, industrial, and commercial progress. His tour of the Fair is a highlight of the day’s activities.
Children’s Day
TUES., FEB. 10
They come by the thousands for a day of fun and frolic and you'll find most of them enjoying the thrills and excitement of the Midway. On this day, the fair-grounds ring’ with the laughter of children.
Children’s Parade Day
WED., FEB. 11
It’s the youngsters’ day to parade and they do it in grand style. The cleverly decorated miniature floats and the costumed kids capture the hearts of the spectators. It’s young America on parade.
4H Club Day
SAT., FEB. 14
The “Four Leaf Clovers” are everywhere as the boys and girls of Florida’s 4-H Clubs combine exhibits of their endeavors with a fun-filled holiday. They contribute much to the success of the Fair each year.
Every Day is Midway Day at Royal American Shows
Calendar of Events
Here’s a handy calendar that will give you daily
highlights at-a-glance . . . County days, parade
days, and other special features.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Colorful Opening Ceremonies, Shrine Day Honoring Imperial Potentate Harvey A. Beffa, and Parade by Egypt Temple and Shrine Clubs of Royal American Shows, Brooksville, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Sara- Mana, Fort Myers, Lake County, Osceola County and Orlando. Manatee County Day, Pinellas County Day and Polk County Day. Night Thrill Show.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Hernando County Day, Wild-life Conservation. Auto Races.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Pasco County Day, Bradford County Day, Armed Forces Day, Tourist Day. Afternoon Thrill Show.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Negro Day. Special grandstand program, 10 a. m. by New Farmers and New Homemakers of America. Parade of Dairy Show champions 7:30 p.m. before grandstand.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Future Farmers and Future Homemakers of America with special grandstand program at noon. Auto Races.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Closed to the Public.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Gasparilla Day and Parade. Highlands County Day, Indian River County Day and Volusia County Day.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Governor's Day. All Florida Day, Children’s Day and Hillsborough County Day.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Children’s Gasparilla Parade. Boy Scout Day.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12
International Day with special programs by Pan American Commission. Night Gasparilla Illuminated Parade. Columbia County Day, Gadsden County Day.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
County Commissioners’ Day. Marion County Day, St. Johns County Day. Parade of Beef Show champions 7:30 p. m. before grandstand. Afternoon Thrill Show.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
4-H Clubs Day. Flying Farmers Day, Everybody's Day. Auto Races.
11 big days and nights
[panel 4]
[Illustration of Gasparilla the Pirate]
[Collage of fair pictures]
See them all!
Florida Agriculture
Florida Industry
Florida Living
Parades Exhibits
Thrills Shows Midway
Grandstand Attractions
Come for fun! Come for thrills! You'll find plenty of both! But take time out from fun for a serious tour of the Fair. For here is a real education in Florida—in its growth, its progress and productivity. An impressive presentation of Florida’s diversified resources . . . agricultural, industrial, and commercial activities . . . cultural pursuits, and everyday living.
The Florida State Fair is an achievement of the men and women of Florida .. . a tribute to the efforts of our farmers and industrialists, our business men and women, our State, County, and Municipal officials, and other progressive citizens. Through their efforts, we are able each year to pre- sent this picture of Florida — for your entertainment and education.
We invite you to visit the Florida State Fair between February 3 and 14, 1953. FLORIDA STATE FAIR AND GASPARILLA ASSOCIATION
An Opportunity For You
If you have never enjoyed a vacation in Florida, come down for a few weeks this winter. Have fun in the sun—fishing, golfing, swimming. Attend thrilling spectator sports...visit famous attractions...or just take
it easy and store up energy for busy days ahead.
That’s how so many people have discovered the real Florida. They came for a vacation, traveled around the State and discovered that Florida is much more than a glamorous playground. Many of these former visitors are citizens of Florida today. They found their opportunity here—in business, in industry, in farming, or in happier year-round living.
As Florida continues its amazing growth, the same opportunity may exist here for you. Why not find out?
Visit Florida this year. Have a grand vacation. See ALL of Florida! There may be a sunnier future here for you — your family and your business.
County Exhibits
[Each county listed has a picture of their exhibit]
Bradford Columbia Gadsden Hernando Highlands Hillsborough Indian River Manatee Marion Pasco Pinellas Polk St. Johns Volusia
Florida State Fair and Gasparilla Celebration Feb. 3 to Feb. 14, 1953
Listen: The Blues Program
