Avast, landlubbers! Swashbuckling shenanigans from the high seas are on the way to the 2026 South Florida Fair.
It’s a “Party with the Pirates” for the 114th annual event, taking place from Jan. 16 to Feb. 1 at the fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. So look for a treasure trove of themed attractions, shows, rides, games, exhibits, shopping opportunities, animal encounters, and, of course, those sweet and savory deep-fried foods.
“The South Florida Fair has become a yearly tradition for so many families and friends,” said Matt Wallsmith, the fair’s president and CEO. “We think the pirates theme appeals to people of all ages and is an entertaining one that will tie in to different activities”
Dead men tell no tales, but we’re spilling all of the details on what you shouldn’t miss at the fair. (And we won’t make you walk the plank to get the loot, savvy?) Grab your mateys and check out all the shiver-me-timbers experiences this year.
A PIRATE’S LIFE
For starters, the fair will feature a Speakeasy, but you can’t just saunter in Capt. Jack Sparrow-style. It’s secret, it’s hidden, and you’re going to have to follow clues and look for coins to gain entry. Inside, you’ll be transported to the golden age of piracy and meet actors portraying famous pirates of the past, Wallsmith said. (Crossing our fingers for Davy Jones!)
Meanwhile, over at Yesteryear Village, the fairgrounds’ living history park, you’ll find the island of Tortuga, known as a notorious pirate haven in the Caribbean during the 17th century. Visit a pirate encampment, take part in scavenger hunts (with treasure included) and explore a pirate trail.
Then, there’s the “Skull and Crossbones Wheel of Death” show, with the Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean performing stunts while walking, running and balancing on a 35-foot rotating wheel. They’re also bringing in a 60-foot pirate ship on which performers will sword fight, rope slide and do stunts above on the high wire 20 feet in the air.
LET’S GET TO THE FOOD
There’s no deep-fried rum, but what’s a pirate’s second-favorite fair food? Mac & Darrrgghhritos! Food vendor Fork’et Me Not has created “Blackbeard’s favorite party snack” — consisting of Doritos topped with housemade macaroni and cheese, fried chicken or shrimp, and yum yum sauce (or cajun chicken and ranch).
Or, warm up during any intermittent cold fronts with Pirates Bounty Gumbo from The Purple Shrimp. It’s simmered in a pot with shrimp, crab, smoky sausage and a secret blend of spices in a dark roux.
Slider sandwiches will be in the spotlight at the Bianco’s Foods stand, with options such as ham and cheese, chicken bacon ranch, meatball, and the Bird Dog with cheddar cheese, bacon and honey mustard on top of a fried chicken tender.
A new item from AMC Foods’ Holy Macaroni this year: Birria Mac & Cheese, featuring cavatappi noodles, a five-cheese blend, topped with beef birria, which is braised in-house for more than eight hours. Toppings include chopped onion, cilantro and seasonings served with consommé. Add jalapeños, tomato, corn and beans, if it suits your fancy.
The “Taste the Treasure” Fair Foodie Tour includes items from 19 vendors competing for best fair food. Among them are:
- Captain Jack’s Pineapple Chicken Bowl by Denton Fun Foods Bourbon Chicken
- Kraken’s Biscoff Butter Cheesecake by Polar Bear Concessions
- Pirate Popper Donut by Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts
- Ship Wrecked Buffalo Chicken Stacks by Butcher Boys
- Cap’n Crunch Korean Corn Dog by Miller & Co. Fries
Find the full list at southfloridafair.com/foodietour, or on the South Florida Fair app. Try them all and then cast your vote for your favorite item from Jan. 16-25.
COME ON, RIDE IT
Three rides — Wipeout, Charlie Chopper and Light House Dive — have received makeovers and are back at the fair after last appearing on the Wade Shows midway in 2019. They are part of a lineup of 200 rides and games this year, which includes the Midway Sky Eye, a 155-foot-high Ferris wheel with 524,000 LED lights.
New rides are Candy Adventure, which combines funhouse, glasshouse and interactive elements, along with KMG X-Drive and Crazy Dance.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
On the Coke Florida Stage, catch the following acts:
- South Florida country music singers Emily Brooke, Amber Leigh and Maggie Baugh will have a homecoming during “Country Comes Home,” a day of performances from 1:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17.
- “The KVJ After the Show” podcast will be live, with WRMF-97.9 FM morning radio show hosts Kevin Rolston, Virginia Sinicki and Jason Pennington, from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23.
- Anberlin, the alternative rock band from Winter Haven, will take the stage at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27. The band recently released the EP “Silverline.”
- The Classic Rock Tribute Band Competition returns from 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. Each band performs for 30 minutes, with the winner getting an hourlong show at 8 p.m. Vying to be named the Best Tribute Band are The Chili Poppers (Red Hot Chili Peppers), The LoveCats (The Cure), Foo Fight (Foo Fighters), Godsmacked (Godsmack) and STP Unglued (Stone Temple Pilots).
The acts coming to the Shiner Law Group Expo Center:
- “Legends of the Frozen Cove,” a pirate-themed ice skating show by Rosstyn Ice Shows, runs throughout the fair with several performance times every day in the Ford Theater.
- Comedy hypnotist Brad Matchett brings his Vegas-style show to the Deck & Drive Theater. He’ll be looking for volunteers for several shows each day of the fair.
ALL ABOUT THE ANIMALS
Past the neon lights of the midway and rows of food vendors, find the heart and history of the South Florida Fair — the agriculture area.
Get up close with chickens and rabbits, watch calves being born in the Moo-ternity Educational Exhibit in the Kubota Ag Zone, and visit the Ag-Ventureland Kids Area, which features crafts and activity stations.
A longtime fair tradition, the Show-Me Swine Racers are racing pigs that dart around a track set up near the firehouse in Yesteryear Village.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: South Florida Fair
WHEN: Jan. 16-Feb. 1
WHERE: South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach
COST: Advance admission and ride tickets are available online and at all Palm Beach County Publix stores
through midnight Jan. 15. Regular gate admission is $15 on Mondays-Fridays (except for $2 Tuesdays) and $20 on Saturdays-Sundays. Kids age 10 and younger have free entry. At the gate, ride wristbands are $35 on weekdays and $50 on weekends. (Click on “Visit” and “Special Days & Ways to Save” for details on the Jan. 15 Ride-A-Thon, opening day specials and other discounts.)
PARKING: General parking is $15 and premium is $25. Only cards are accepted. Free shuttle services are available on select days from The Mall at Wellington Green (between Dillard’s and Macy’s), 10300 Forest Hill Blvd., and at Palm Beach Central High School, 8499 W. Forest Hill Blvd., both in Wellington.
INFORMATION: southfloridafair.com
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