Manatee County Fair ends Sunday

Thrilled and chilled, all at once on the Rock & Roll ride at Manatee County Fair on Sunday night. Hot drinks were in demand among a nice-size crowd on the cold evening. The fair runs through Jan. 24.

Well, the weather hasn't been the best for this year's Manatee County Fair. But the show must go on. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the fair is still very much a homage to the traditional and rural roots of the area. But as Manatee County has grown and changed, the fair has grown and changed with it. These days there are big-time music acts performing alongside pig races and livestock competitions. Entertainment for this week includes North Carolina bluegrass band Mountain Faith (Jan. 21). They've had a solid and award-winning career, but they reached a wider audience last year when they appeared on "America's Got Talent." Country novelty singer Joe Diffie performs on Jan. 22.

Details: Jan. 21-24, Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W. Palmetto. Hours: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday and 1-7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $8 adults, $7 seniors age 55 and older, $5 children 6-12 and active military, free for children age 6 and younger.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Manatee County Fair ends Sunday ."

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