The Miami-Dade Youth Fair is back. Is your stomach ready for the rides and weird food?
It’s fair time again in South Florida.
The Miami-Dade County Youth Fair opens Thursday, March, 16, with the usual array of midway rides, exhibitions, concerts and, of course, freaky food.
And about that food. You can make a complete meal out of what’s new on the menu this year. Main course: Miami Cuban Funnel Cake Sandwich. Drink: Pickle lemonade. Side: Pickle fries with cheese, bacon and ranch. Dessert: Fried milkshake.
All filled up? Good. Now you can ride the roller coaster.
Here’s what to know about the Miami-Dade Youth Fair this year:
When is the Miami-Dade Youth Fair?
Dates: The 71st annual fair is March 16-April 9 (closed on March 27-28, April 3-4).
Hours: Gates open at 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon on weekends. During spring break, March 20-24, and also April 7, the gates open at noon. The fair is open late every night, but closing times are unspecified and vary.
Looking back
SEE MORE: What was the county fair like 50 years ago in Miami? See it in the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s
Where is the Youth Fair grounds?
Street address: 10901 SW 24th St. (Coral Way), near Florida International University in West Miami-Dade.
How much is the Youth Fair?
Parking/Entertainment: Free.
Admission: General admission on site is $16. Online is $12 through March 15, then $14. Unlimited rides are $30-$40 depending on purchase site and day. Free admission for kids 5 and under and adults 65 and over.
Discounts: $5 admission days and $5 off unlimited rides on March 16 and 29, April 5; half-off regular admission before 6 p.m., Monday-Friday (excluding $5 off days). Free Thursdays for military personnel and first responders.
What are the food highlights at the fair?
▪ Miami Cuban Funnel Cake Sandwich:
Spanish pork, smoked ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickles and mustard nestled between two four-inch funnel cakes, heat pressed, and topped with your choice of guava or mango marmalade.
▪ Dillylicious Loaded Pickles:
Pickle Fries loaded with cheese, bacon and ranch.
▪ Wizard’s Deep Fried Milkshake: Deep fried butterscotch ice cream covered in a butter simulated caramel sauce, and topped with a flavored whipped cream topping.
▪ Mexican Street Corn Pizza: Pizza topped with buttered sweet corn, mozzarella cheese, mayo drizzle and Tajin seasoning.
▪ Cu-Banano: A banana wedged into churros, glazed with guava and cream cheese and a side of whipped cream.
▪ Chicken or Beef Topped Hot Cheetos In a Cup: Corn topped with mayonnaise, Mexican cream, garlic butter, chili powder, hot Cheetos, queso fresco, tajin and lime.
What’s at the Miami-Dade Youth Fair?
Animals: Petting zoo, agriculture shows and demonstrations.
Exhibits: Student showcase, Sedano’s kitchen, marketplace.
Midway: More than 80 rides including Pharaoh’s Fury, Euroslide, Niagara Falls, Bullet Train Roller Coaster.
Entertainment: Circus, cultural performances, stunt show, ice-skating show, pig races, live music.
