FAIR FLAIR

17-day extravaganza touts big wheel, parades

The South Florida Fair begins today, with 17 days of attractions, concerts and rides. Here is what’s new at this year’s fair:

1. A big deal of a wheel: It stands 155 feet tall, weighs more than 400,000 pounds and requires special clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration to erect. North America’s largest portable Ferris wheel, called the Midway Sky Eye, will make its debut at the fair. The massive structure took three days to set up at the fairgrounds off Southern Boulevard in unincorporated West Palm Beach.

“It’s a heck of an attraction,” said Rick Vymlatil, president and CEO of South Florida Fair and Palm Beach County Expositions Inc. “… Because of its size and all that’s necessary to erect it and move it around, it’s not one of those attractions that’s going to be available at every fair and festival.”

2. The theme: This year’s theme is “magical parades.” Eight parade floats will be on display in the Expo Center, and there will be daily themed parades, including the Chinese New Year Parade today and the Rose Petal Parade on Jan. 22.

3. Indoor carousel: The fair for the first time is going to have an indoor carousel, located in the Expo Center.

4. Gourmet popcorn: The West Palm Beach-based Bulk Candy Store is a popular fair feature for its massive tent filled with candy for sale. This year, Bulk Candy Store is adding 16 flavors of gourmet popcorn, including peanut butter and jelly. Popcorn “is a big seller at the fair for a lot of people,” Vymlatil said. “People like to buy it and munch on it as they walk around.”

5. More paved areas and

new lighting: Fans of the fair’s agricultural exhibits will have smoother access this year. Capital improvements were made in the fairgrounds’ off-season, including new paving in the agricultural area and new lighting in the parking lots.

6. A shiny red caboose: An old Seaboard Coast Line Railroad caboose is the latest addition to Yesteryear Village, the 10-acre history park on the fairgrounds’ north side. Vymlatil said the fair has tried

to get a rail car for about 20 years, and finally found one that now is on permanent loan from an anonymous donor. It arrived at Yesteryear Village about two weeks ago, he added. Visitors will be able to walk through the car once it is refurbished. “It’s bright red and you can’t miss it when you’re driving into the parking lot,” Vymlatil said.

7. The food: Last year, it was tater tots. This year, it’s hash browns, as one of the

fair’s food vendors serves up hash brown sandwiches. Not sure what that is? Take two hash brown patties, and put something edible between them. That’s a hash brown sandwich. And of course the fan-favorite hot dogs, burgers, funnel cakes and fried Oreos will return.

8. The music: New this year to the fair’s live performance line-up are contemporary Christian performer Matthew West, country rock group Nitty Gritty

Dirt Band and country singer

Chris Lane.

Grand Funk

Railroad returns for a third performance at the fair. A Martin

Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Monday will feature gospel performers.

ON THE COVER: The Midway Sky Eye, North America’s largest traveling Ferris wheel, comes to the South Florida Fair this year.

DAMON HIGGINS / THE PALM BEACH POST Fairgoers are turned upside down on the Khaos ride during the 2017 fair. The massive Midway Sky Eye has been added to the mix of rides.

THOMAS CORDY/THE PALM BEACH POST The popular Bulk Candy Store will add 16 flavors of gourmet popcorn to its offerings.

These bacon ranch tater tots were among the tater tot offerings that were a hit at last year’s fair. Hash browns are expected to be the new ‘it’ food.

Matthew West