Contributed
The excitement and tradition of the 27th Seminole County Fair return to Sanford from Friday, March 27 through Sunday, April 5, 2026. The fair will be held at 440 Hickman Drive, just off State Route 46, east of I-4.
This 10-day event will feature a full midway of amusement rides, prize-filled games, family-friendly attractions, and classic carnival food favorites. The midway will be provided by Orlando-based Strates Shows, Inc., which is celebrating its 103rd anniversary during the 2026 season.
The Fair will feature more than 25 state-of-the-art carnival rides that include midway favorites such as the “Monkey Maze,” “Dream Wheel,” “Sky Flyer,” and the enduring classic American carousel—fun for all ages.
For the 27th year, the Seminole County Fair will offer an irresistible array of fresh, tantalizing foods, filling the air with mouth-watering aromas. From indulgent funnel cakes dusted in powdered sugar to crispy French fries topped with a splash of vinegar, fairgoers can savor all their favorite treats and beverages.
Now celebrating more than a quarter century of operation, the modern Seminole County Fair was organized in the late 1990s by legendary Orlando outdoor amusement impresario E. James Strates and Strates Shows. The tradition of county fairs in Seminole County, however, dates back more than a century to the first event held on First Street in Sanford in 1915. Following World War II, the fair was sponsored by Campbell-Lossing American Legion Post 53 from 1948 through 1976. After an 18-year hiatus, the Seminole County Fair & Exposition briefly returned from 1994 to 1996 before being reestablished in 1999 by the Strates family.
The 2026 Fair opens at 4pm Monday through Friday and at 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Closing times vary based on weather conditions and midway capacity. This year’s Fair will offer FREE parking and FREE gate admission for all patrons. Fairgoers will be able to take advantage of a number of money saving, unlimited ride offers that include:
Family Fun Days (Monday through Thursday) - Pay-one-price ride wristband from
opening to closing for just $25.00 per person
Midway Magic (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) - Pay-one-price ride wristband from opening to closing for just $35.00 per person.
For more information visit www.SeminoleCountyFair.com
About the Strates Shows - The Strates Shows is a 103-year-old family-owned and operated
outdoor amusement and carnival business with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Founded in
1923 by Greek immigrant James E. Strates as the Southern Tier Shows in Elmira, New York, the
Strates Shows is one of America’s premiere providers of carnival midways. The Show has called Taft, Florida (Orlando) home since 1955. The Strates Shows is proudly managed by the 3rd & 4th generations of Strates family members.
