SARASOTA COUNTY FAIR (Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

Gary Stears of Sarasota and his son, Malakai, 4, enjoy an icy treat on a warm, sunny Saturday at the fair. The weather has been a boon for the event. STAFF PHOTO / CHIP LITHERLAND
The fair, which kicked off Friday, has a new midway vendor, Belle City Amusements, which has brought 53 rides and about 50 food and game booths to Robarts Arena and the adjacent fairgrounds on Fruitville Road.
Longwood-based Belle City took over the last two years of a contract with The Mighty Bluegrass Shows, a Tampa-based midway provider. This is its first year. The fair runs nine days, and includes many of the traditional trappings: rides, funnel cakes, and even a pygmy goat show. Saturday provided more great weather -- with sunny skies, a high around 80 degrees and a light breeze.
Belle City and the fair board are in the early stages of negotiations for another contract to provide midway services to Sarasota in coming years.
The fair remains open until March 22.
From The Sarasota Herald Tribune