Carnival & Fair News

Running from February 26 to March 8 in Orlando, the 114th Central Florida Fair offered plenty of new attractions and treats this year.

The fair's president and CEO, Michael Tipton, highlighted expanded food vendors, three new rides, and a variety of new experiences. He noted, “For 114 years, the Central Florida Fair has been a place where memories are made. The fair brings our community together in a way few events can.”

General admission to the 2026 fair was $7 daily for kids ages 7 to 11, with children 6 and under admitted free. Adults paid $11 on weekdays and $16 on weekends. Opening night was a bargain, with $1 admission along with the donation of a canned food item to benefit the Orlando Union Rescue Mission. Midway rides, provided by Wade Shows, were priced at $1 all night.

Other value nights included free admission for military members and first responders on Stars & Stripes Night, and $2 Tuesday on March 3, which featured $2 admission, selected rides, food items, and drinks in the Beer Garden. Educators received free admission on March 5. Pre-sale promotions included Buy One, Get One Free admission and $20 ride bands for limited hours.

During the fair, unlimited ride wristbands were priced between $30 and $40 depending on the day. Carnival provider Wade Shows introduced three new major rides. In conjunction with Iconic Rides, Wade Shows premiered for the first time in Orlando the 177-foot-high Thunderbird Swing Tower, the tallest portable swing tower in the United States. Back this year was Iconic's KMG Kraken, a re-themed XXL from the Dutch ride builder.

The company also showcased a double-decker Venetian Carousel from Chance Rides, a family attraction designed for all ages. 

Rides were not the only new feature this year. New attractions included Robot Renegade, a competition featuring battles between robots in various weight classes.

The Circus Inferno Extreme delivered a high-energy show featuring acrobatics, fire dancing, and stunt performances. The Zerbini Family Circus offered its own take on traditional family acrobatics.

At the fair's Beer Garden, the Battle of the Bands competition took place over four nights, with additional bands performing rock and country sets throughout the event. Twin Rova won the competition and will perform at local radio station WJRR's Earthday Birthday celebration.

A nostalgic highlight was the Blockbuster Experience. Fairgoers stepped into an immersive walk-through recreation of the classic video rental store, complete with movie displays and memorabilia from the “be kind, rewind” era.

Another immersive attraction, though smaller in scale, was Rorring! RC Race Cars, a one-tenth-scale stock car racing experience new to the fair this year.

At the Turnaround Petting Zoo, new animals made their debut, including ostriches, capybaras, and a zebra-donkey hybrid known as a zedonk.

Sea life took center stage in Otter Adventure, a hands-on educational exhibit presented by the Woody Brothers. They note that it is the only traveling otter exhibition in the country.

Looking skyward, the fair also offered helicopter rides over the fairgrounds. Back on the ground, visitors could participate in Fair Bingo at the Beer Garden. Participants picked up a bingo card, visited listed vendors and attractions for stamps, and returned to the bar for rewards such as free drinks. Stops included the creative arts hall, the T-Mobile booth, Pork Palace, K-Pop Stop, and the RC Race Cars attraction.



Some traditions remain unchanged, including livestock exhibitions featuring cattle, goats, and youth competitions with animal auctions. Visitors could also see llamas and a camel, enjoy the Sea Lion Splash show, navigate an inflatable obstacle course, and encounter stilt walkers throughout the fairgrounds.

Food remains a central attraction, and this year the number of vendors doubled. New offerings included pork and potato sundaes and spicy candy apples. Classic fair staples such as corn dogs, pizza, funnel cakes, lemonade, fried chicken, egg rolls, fries, and ice cream were also widely available.

Pride Night returned with about 50 informational booths and vendors from local LGBTQ+ organizations, along with live entertainment including a drag show and raffle. Proceeds benefited The Center Orlando's scholarship programs. CEO George Wallace said, “We hope to give out more money to more students each year, and this platform allows us to raise funds in a fun, community-centered way.” Swag bags were provided to the first 200 attendees.

Tipton emphasized that he hopes visitors can find needed services and “leave the event with a better support system, new contacts, and new friends.”

Reflecting on the fair overall, he added, “Beyond the fun, it also supports local businesses, showcases regional talent, and reinforces the importance of accessible, shared experiences for our community.”