Message from the Executive Director


It’s been a great Summer for the Federa- tion – we had a great Summer Workshop in Jacksonville hosted by the Greater Jack- sonville Ag Fair. The staff and Board defi- nitely rolled out the red carpet to make it a memorable event!


Fair Trip 2013 was GREAT! If you haven’t gone on one of


these trips, you should really think about it for next year. It is so great to get to know other “Fair folks” from around the United States but it is also such a great time to get to know one another in our own group. Fair Season - can’t believe so many of our Florida Fairs have


already finished their event while others are just starting. I had the wonderful opportunity to visit several of our Fall Fairs – what great events and GREAT folks! Most of my life has been spent involved with Fairs. I grew up


showing steers at the Pasco County Fair, Southeastern Youth Fair, and the State Fair. Just the mention of the word “Fair” con- jures up a variety of thoughts, feelings, smells, and sounds – memories that will last a lifetime and that are always renewed with the taste of cotton candy or the sound of the “slap” of a Grand Champion steer being chosen. As Fairs it is important for us to remember that we are a vital


part of our communities. From local Fairs to the State Fair, people gather every year to


participate in this strong American tradition. Fairs provide an op- portunity for our exhibitors to “show off” their prize heifer or their quilts and jams; for local clubs to participate with food booths or displays; and for our community to come together to celebrate their roots as well as their future. County Fairs are where the local Cattlemen’s Association serves up bar-b-q sandwiches; Farm Bureau as well as the local banks and hardware stores show up to support the youth auctions; where you can get in the back gate if you have a bale of hay in the back of your truck or an FFA jacket hanging in your backseat; where everyone knows eve- ryone and neighbors have been competing against neighbors for that prized Grand Champion for generations in friendly rivalries. The State Fair still holds fond memories for me growing up


showing at the old fairgrounds downtown in Tampa. If you ride the area today you can still pick out familiar landmarks – some of the barns still stand though converted to new uses but the memo- ries are still there. Along with the smells of Italian sausage sand- wiches grilling with onions or the taste of those tangerine ice cream cones, come back a host of other thoughts….seeing the grandstand full of blue & gold FFA jackets while state and local dignitaries congratulated students on their participation, hearing the roar of the races in the grandstand, going through steer weigh -in with Don Wakeman reading the scales, washing your animals in the freezing cold with the drawbridge over the Hillsborough River in the background, walking the Parade of Champions with flowers and pomp and circumstance as the best livestock in the state were paraded one final time, preparing for the Poultry Judg- ing contest or giving oral reasons out behind the barn – where friends were made and memories were created. Remember, through your work at your Fair, you are creating


those memories that will last a lifetime…. Please don’t forget – YOU are the Federation and our organiza-


tion is here to serve you! Lisa


GREATER JACKSONVILLE AG FAIR For Hosting The Summer Workshop And Co-sponsoring the Welcome Dinner


FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRI- CULTURE


AND CONSUMER SERVICES –


COMMISSIONER ADAM PUTNAM Summer Workshop Program


BELLE CITY AMUSEMENTS &


EVENT MARKETING CORPORATION Co-Sponsoring the Welcome Dinner


FLORIDA STATE FAIR &


FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL Refreshment Breaks


MIAMI DADE COUNTY FAIR & EXPO Coffee Station


SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR Scholarship Sponsor


VOLUSIA COUNTY FAIR &


ST. LUCIE COUNTY FAIR Friends of the Federation Summer Workshop


NORTHEAST FLORIDA FAIR Door Prizes


SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR Signage


FLORIDA STATE FAIR Technical & AV Support


SUMMER WORKSHOP SPONSORS


A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2013


SUMMER WORKSHOP SPONSORS


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