The Youth Fair

“Be There! The Fair.” The catchy jingle of the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair & Exposition (better known as The Youth Fair) can be heard all over Greater Miami & Miami Beach’s airwaves from March through early April, heralding one of the destination’s most-anticipated festivals. Now in its 73rd year, the family-friendly, 21-day showcase of all things fun and flavorful will take place at the fairgrounds in University Park, near Westchester, from March 13 through April 6. The fair will be closed March 17-18 and March 31-April 1. Stay tuned for the full schedule.

The Youth Fair is among the top fairs in North America and is the largest-attended in Florida. More than 500,000 fairgoers are expected to flock to the 86-acre fairgrounds.

This year’s theme, Spaceventure, spotlights out-of-this-world entertainment to complement an assortment of amusement rides, a culinary parade for the palate, a bounty of games, crowd-pleasing shows and performances, agricultural and academic exhibits and shopping.

Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the fairgrounds. Kids five and under and seniors 65 and older get in free every day

Read on for details on the 2024 Youth Fair.

Amusement and Games for All Ages

Adventure lovers, thrill seekers and ride fanatics can enjoy 86 carnival rides across three zones – Majorland, Kiddieland and Kiddieland Too. Featuring traditional favorites, such as roller coasters and a merry-go-round, along with last year’s most popular midway attractions – the Observation Wheel, Euroslide and Sky Ride – The Fair offers entertainment for kids and adults of all ages.

A new attraction, “X-Drive,” is sure to cause a lot of excitement. Holding 16 people (eight on each end of two rotating gondola arms), “X-Drive” will tumble and spin riders up to 60 feet in the air.

To enhance the fun, there will be 30 game stations throughout the fair, offering the likes of water gun races, ring tossing, basketball shooting and a Whac-A-Mole arcade game.

Fun Foods Aplenty

After working up an appetite, cure your carnival cravings by exploring the best Youth Fair bites. Grab a fair food fix from any of more than 150 stands that offer everything from longtime favorite carnival eats to a fusion of American classics reimagined with international flair.

From confections to concoctions, this year’s food selection includes more than 15 new and eclectic dishes. Among them is the Almond Joy Funnel Cake, a take on traditional funnel cake but with coconut, almonds and chocolate. Other new must-tries include Korean corn dogs, Greek nachos and a cheeseburger on a stick. Elephant ears and roasted corn consistently rank as fair favorites, while traditional corn dogs, cotton candy and curly fries are timeless classics.

Celebrate Agriculture at The Fair

In celebration of agriculture and its importance in the community, stroll through the Youth Agriculture Exhibits, located in the Exhibits and Community Showcase, the fair's centerpiece, where more than 40,000 students are expected to display their exhibits and delight audiences with their performances. The Youth Agriculture Exhibits will feature livestock, including lamb, steer, cavy, poultry and rabbits, raised by students for exhibition and market sale, along with other agricultural highlights such as horticulture and landscape design.

For children interested in learning more about agriculture, students in second and third grades will get a special treat at the annual Howdy Tour, led by the freckle-faced goodwill ambassador and agriculture character himself, Howdy. These educational sessions teach kids about plants, animals and various topics, such as where milk comes from and how to make butter. Tours will take place March 18 and 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days.

Places to Go, Things to Do

The Youth Fair presents an enticing lineup of entertainment, a daily parade at 6:30 p.m. and strolling acts that make their way around the fairgrounds interacting with guests. Headline acts include the circus and ice-skating performances and productions that appeal to a wide audience: the Space Adventures Thrill Show, the Comedy Hypnosis Show and a trivia game show.

But no fair experience is complete without a visit to the pig races and the beloved petting zoo, where you’ll see goats, alpacas, camels, zebras, kangaroos, Himalayan cows and llamas.

Autism-Friendly Sensory Room

The Youth Fair and the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University have created an autism-friendly sensory room, where individuals with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities can take a break in an air-conditioned space with calm lighting, soothing sounds and interactive activities.

The room accommodates up to 12 guests, and individuals on the autism spectrum and their families can utilize the sensory room for up to 15 minutes at a time. The sensory room will be open until 10 p.m. daily except when school field trips are taking place.

Know Before You Go

Event organizers recommend planning your carnival experience. Download the Youth Fair app on iPhone or Android or pick up a paper guide at the information booths.

The Youth Fair offers many amenities for families, including stroller, wheelchair and scooter rentals.

Getting There and Around

Take advantage of ride-sharing options, especially on weekends. Ride-share guests or those being dropped off can enter at Coral Way and 112th Avenue. The handicap drop-off area is in front of the main fairgrounds entrance.

If traveling by car, general parking is free. For vehicles parked further away, a courtesy tram with continuous service will transport guests to and from the main gate.

Festival Insider Tip

While some fair vendors may accept credit cards, most accept only cash. There is an ATM on-site.

By: Cristina Sorondo | February 21, 2024