The Osceola County Fair is a go!

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  • The Osceola County Fair will begin Feb. 12.
    The Osceola County Fair will begin Feb. 12.
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The Osceola County Fair will go as planned this year, running from Feb. 12 – 21.

“This past year has been challenging for everyone and we were fortunate enough to get our 2020 fair in the books when hundreds of fairs and festivals were cancelled,” said Larry Berry, general manager of the Osceola County Fair.  “The feedback we’re getting from the general public over the past few months is they want to return to some type of normalcy.  After being cooped up in our homes for so long during this pandemic, we believe people will be ready to come outdoors to safely enjoy a variety of fair fun, food, and activities.”

This year’s Osceola County Fair will have a different feal about it as additional safety measures are put into place with COVID-19. This includes all guests must have a mask on when entering the fair grounds.

“We get asked this question all the time, ‘Do we have to wear our mask outdoors when we can physical distance?’  The answer is, we suggest you wear your mask when not eating or drinking; however, when you can physically distance outdoors you are welcome to take them off.  Of course, we do not expect you to eat a corn dog or funnel cake with your mask on. We want everyone to have a mask so if you visit the rabbit or poultry exhibit tent, enjoy some of our awesome live entertainment in our main stage tent, or just to need to use the facilities, it can be worn in these required indoor locations,” Berry said.

Other measures include placing hand wash stations throughout the grounds, adding hand sanitizer stations in our buildings, more janitorial personnel wiping down touch points, having attendants to assist with physical distancing in our venue locations and the carnival provider has an approved plan for sanitizing rides and providing for que lines. The fair has been working closely with the Florida Department of Agriculture, as well as our county health and operational officials to make sure it opens responsibly.

This years’ opening main stage talent includes the return of Tobacco Rd Band out of Tallahassee, Jocelyn Hsu, a talented musician and singer who recently completed a tour with Jon Anderson of Yes, and the return of the band Think Big on Sunday night.

Friday night will have fireworks at 9:30 p.m. sponsored by Ford.  The highlight of opening weekend will be something new and exciting as the Osceola County High School Battle of the Bands will be both Saturday and Sunday. Come watch as some of the high school bands compete for the title of 2021 Osceola County Band Champion.

During the week we will also feature Harlequin, the Alex Hayes Band, Slickwood and Thursday night Nashville recording sensation Eli Mosley.

The final weekend will feature a Battle of the Voices competition, with some exceptional choral groups from the Osceola County schools on Friday.  On Friday night, the evening will start with local favorite and recording star Kenyon Lockry.  On Saturday and Sunday, people can see world class illusionist and America’s Got Talent quarterfinalist Jay Mattioli to provide wonder and amazement to close out the fair. And there is more with dance groups and other talent including Stilt Fun who will be walking the midway.

“Our grounds acts this year are fantastic as well,” said Berry. “We have the return of Eudora Farms Petting Zoo, Rosaire’s Royal Racers, and because you asked for it, the return of the World Champion dog frisbee team, Disc-Connected K9’s. Throw in the 3 Ring Super Circus with acrobatics and comedy and add in Bob Bohm’s Family Entertainment with three different shows, and we have a full and diverse lineup of things to do.”

This is the 77th year for the Osceola County Fair put on by the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show and Fair. KVLS as it is known, supports the youth of Osceola County providing scholarships, grants, and premiums to youth including 4H and Future Farmers of America kids, as well as a show venue for livestock shows throughout the year.

For more information, visit www.osceolacountyfair.com.