Manatee County Fair begins with nonstop entertainment
By
Vinnie Portell
| 6:30 p.m. January 19, 2025
East County
Neighbors
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Those who attended the Manatee County Fair Saturday needed to stick to their itinerary to see all that was happening.
From the time the gates opened at noon, the action was jam-packed.
The day kicked off with the 22nd annual Baby Pageant, followed by a steer sale and then the 10th Annual Corndog Eating Contest.
In between were shows of blacksmithing and woodworking, magic, wrestling matches and dinosaurs.
When one show ended, another began almost instantly, with some overlapping to give fairgoers multiple options for entertainment.
In the midst of it all were performers, vendors, fair games, rides, music and plenty of seating to take a break or enjoy a variety of food options.
The Manatee County Fair will run through Jan. 26 at 1303 17th Street West across the street from Palmetto High School.
For more information, including a schedule of events, history of the fair and more, visit ManateeCountyFair.com.
The Claw was one of the most popular rides at the Manatee County Fair Saturday.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
The Manatee County Fair featured several games offering prizes, including this balloon-pop game.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
A velociraptor tries to take a bite out of a young onlooker during the Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show at the Manatee County Fair on Saturday.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
A T-Rex stares down the crowd after being introduced at the Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show at the Manatee County Fair Saturday.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
John Myers, 7, tries to maximize his corndog-eating efficiency during the 10th annual corn dog eating contest at the Manatee County Fair.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Keaton Winget lends a hand to Trenton Tye, owner of Purgatory Ironworks, during a blacksmith demonstration at the Manatee County Fair Saturday.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Marc Dobson, the "One Man Band," roamed around the Manatee County Fairgrounds while playing a variety of instruments Saturday.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Magic Man TJ Hill does a card trick by finding the card a spectator chose with his mouth during a magic show at the Manatee County Fair on Saturday afternoon.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Gianna Constantine, Haile Middle School Future Farmer of America member, looks at her steer as he's being sold to auction at the Manatee County Fair on Saturday afternoon.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
John Myers, 7, takes a moment to collect himself after eating three corndogs in 10 minutes to win the 7-to-10 year-old corndog eating contest at the Manatee County Fair on Saturday.
