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Featured Story

The Florida State Fair is Coming to Town

But with rising costs and increased security, are you still planning to go this year?

If you grew up anywhere around Hillsborough County, chances are the Florida State Fair was part of your childhood at some point. School field trips, Students Day, rides that felt a little questionable, and food that somehow tasted better because you only ate it once a year. For a long time, the fair wasn’t just an event. It was something people looked forward to.

But as the fair returns again this year, it’s fair to ask how many people still make plans around it the way they used to.

Over time, the conversation around the fair has shifted. What used to feel like a simple night out has become harder to justify for many families. Ticket prices, food costs, and parking add up quickly, and the event has picked up a reputation that isn’t always centered around family fun. Fights, safety concerns, and large crowds have become just as much a part of the discussion as funnel cakes and livestock shows.

This year, more than 1,000 deputies are assigned to work the event, and new rules require anyone under 18 to have a chaperone who is at least 21 years old after 5 pm. The intent is clearly to keep things safe, but it also raises a bigger question. What changed to make that level of security necessary in the first place?

Seeing that many officers walking the grounds doesn’t exactly bring back feelings of nostalgia. For some, it reinforces the sense that the fair has become something different than what people remember growing up.

Because of that, many locals say they skip the state fair altogether and wait for the Strawberry Festival in Plant City instead. Less chaos, less hassle, and for many, closer to the kind of experience the state fair used to provide.

The Florida State Fair will still draw crowds. Families will still go, kids will still ride rides, and someone will still spend too much money trying to win a stuffed animal. But it’s worth asking whether the fair still holds the same place in the community it once did, or if it’s slowly becoming more of a tradition people remember than one they actively attend.

What do you think? Are you going this year? Is the fair still worth it? When was the last time you went?

Let us know in the comments or send us an email. We’d love to hear your take.

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🐝 WHAT’S BUZZING AROUND TOWN 🐝

Another Reason to Skip the Mall Closer to Home?

International Plaza announces major expansion, giving Brandon shoppers more reasons to head into Tampa for premium shopping and dining

For many Brandon area shoppers, there’s always been a tradeoff. Brandon Exchange handles the everyday stops, but when you’re looking for higher-end brands, better dining, or more of a full day out, a lot of people still make the trip into Tampa.

That option is about to grow.

International Plaza recently announced plans for a 50,000 square foot expansion that will add new retail and dining space as part of an effort to modernize the property and keep it competitive as shopping habits continue to change. The expansion is expected to focus on creating a more open, experience-driven environment that encourages visitors to stay longer rather than just shop and leave.

While the mall sits closer to Tampa International Airport than Brandon, its reach extends well into eastern Hillsborough County. Many Brandon and Valrico residents already view International Plaza as the place to go for premium brands and a more upscale shopping experience that isn’t always available closer to home.

The expansion also reflects a larger shift in retail. Malls that continue to grow are leaning into entertainment, dining, and atmosphere rather than relying only on traditional retail stores. For shoppers, that means more choices and more reasons to leave the house instead of ordering online.

Brandon Exchange will continue to serve the everyday needs of local shoppers, but International Plaza’s expansion reinforces something many locals already know. When you want something a little different, plenty of Brandon residents don’t mind making the drive.

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A Final Note

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