JACKSONVILLE’S MORNING NEWS LIVE: Greater Jacksonville Fair celebrates 69th anniversary

Jacksonville, FL — The 69th annual Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair is underway through November 17th at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. It’s $2 Tuesday at the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair. Admission is just $2, as well as $2 per ride. There is a $25 unlimited mechanical ride armband.

The fair is partnering for the first time with Deggeller Attractions for amusement rides this year. Rides include the Cliffhanger, Hydra, the Giant Wheel and Riptide.

Returning agricultural exhibits this year include the Florida AG Experience, an entertaining and educational demonstration of how milk is produced from farm to grocery stores.

Sea Lion Splash trainer Nelson Garcia spoke glowingly about Jacksonville, as this is his first experience at the Jacksonville Fair.

Grace Carter and Gimli the Polish Rabbit join Jacksonville’s Morning News on behalf of the 4-H UF Extension, and discuss the role of 4-H not just as an agricultural education program, but also as a STEM and social confidence program. Visit the 4-H exhibit and say hi to Gimli when you visit the Fair!

What’s a fair without a magician? Josh Knotts of Extreme Illusions and Escapes joins JMN to talk about his 7pm & 9pm shows, and life as a practicing illusionist!

Bill Olson is the President & CEO of the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, and while the event occupies two weeks on a calendar, it is a year-long sequence of preparation, execution, and reconciliations to put the event together.

He discusses the opportunities ahead with next year’s relocation to the new fairgrounds.

Andy Deggeller of Deggeller Attractions, Inc. provides the rides, lights, amenities and atmosphere for the Fair midway, and talks about how his company keeps attractions new, fresh, and exciting - and how his company teachers other carnival companies how to put on a show! You’ll see some new attractions on the midway this year at the Fair!

Lisa Thomas, Director of Marketing for the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, talks about how the Fair promotion continues to evolve each year, from promotional imagery, to physical and facility promotions, performer bookings, food vendors, digital platform engagement, and finding other new ways to reach and entertain fans. The goal is always to engage, educate, and entertain, and then make it even bigger next year.