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News-Sun file photo by KATARA SIMMONS The Highlands County Fair begins Friday at 5:00 p.m. at Firemen's Field in Sebring.

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published: Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Fair season in full swing, kicks off Friday

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

SEBRING - It's that time again. A time for thrills, fun and entertainment during the 2013 Highlands County Fair and Livestock Show. The annual event draws thousands each year for fun and friendly competition.

Reithoffer Shows has been putting together the fair at the Midway for more than 20 years adding new rides and activities with each passing year. Everything from giant slides to fun houses await fair attendees looking for a night, or two, of fun.

The fair begins Friday and runs through Saturday, Feb. 16 giving visitors a full week to enjoy a number of events, entertainment and tasty fair foods.

Each year during opening weekend, the fair brings together dozens of the county's young ladies to compete for the titles of Jr. Miss and Miss Highlands County.

Friday at 7 p.m., girls will take the stage for the Junior Miss Highlands County Beauty Pageant. The older girls event follows on Saturday as the competitors face off for the Miss Highlands County crown. The Miss Highlands County Beauty Pageant will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Several entertainers will take the stage throughout the week including Lotela Gold, The California Toe Jam Band, the Avon Park High School Choir, Sebring High School Choir, The Florida Bluegrass Express band, the Shannon Reed Band, and more. Performances by local dance teams, Dance Unlimited and Edge Cheer are scheduled as well as acts by the famous Mark Yuzuik, the Master Hypnotist Show.

The fair also features a number of livestock displays by local students. Pig, calf, chicken and rabbit are just a few of the shows scheduled for the full run of the fair. The livestock shows will take place in the Small Animal Barn or Livestock Barn beginning at 5 p.m. each night.

The Highlands County Fair and Livestock Show is a stable for the community bringing together families and friends for nearly eight decades. The 76th annual fair will open gates from 5 p.m. until midnight Friday. The fair is open at 1 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.

General admission to the fair is $8 every day; kids 10 and under are free. Reithoffer Shows arm bands, which allows for unlimited rides the day of purchase, are $22.

Each day of the fair is sponsored by a local business and provides discounts to certain attendees. Students Day is Feb. 14. Students will be admitted with a canned food item from 5-7 p.m.

For a complete list of discount days, sponsors, show schedules and more visit www.hcfair.net/.