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The Miami-Dade County Youth Fair & Exposition Inc., known for generations as The Youth Fair, is the largest nonprofit charity event in South Florida, attracting more than 650,000 guests. It is a 21-day showcase of agricultural and educational exhibits, midway rides, concerts, carnival food and games, and family entertainment on the Fairgrounds at Tamiami Park located at SW 107th Ave. and Coral Way, Miami, Fla. 33165, its home since 1972.
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The Youth Fair’s mission is to enrich the community by promoting education and South Florida agriculture. The Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition is a private organization that does not rely on taxpayer dollars. Since 1952, the organization contributed more than $10 million to the Miami-Dade County community and has had a positive impact on countless lives of children and adults.
Ranked as the largest attended fair in Florida and the 27th largest event of its kind throughout North America, it was organized and chartered as a not-for-profit association under Chapter 616 of the Florida Statutes. In addition to producing a first-class public fair for four weeks each spring on an 86-acre complex, it operates the Expo Center the other 48 weeks of the year to provide exposition space for 70 shows and events. The fair is held by a private 16-member board of directors.
The 2017 Youth Fair dates are March 23-April 16, excluding Monday and Tuesday, March 27–28, and Monday and Tuesday, April 3–4, when it will be closed.
Admission
The Youth Fair admission price at the gate is $14. Guests who are 5 years and younger, 65 years and older, or retired military personnel with a valid military ID are admitted at no cost. Parking is free.
Advance discount prices for admission, rides and games are offered for purchase online up to the eve of Opening Day at The Youth Fair's website.
Ticket prices at the Fairgrounds:
Entertainment
All concerts are free with general admission.
In 2016, the Mainstreet Stage was host to Village People, MercyMe, Jessie James Decker, La Salsa Vive, Oscar D'Leon, Hansel, Sonora Carruseles, Tavares, and "Celebrating Celia Cruz" with performances by Willy Chirino, Aymee Nuviola, Jeimy Osorio and the Celia Cruz All Stars.
In 2015, the Mainstreet Stage hosted: Kool & The Gang; Music from the '80s with Shannon, Judy Torres, Johnny O and Nice & Wild.
In 2014, the Mainstreet Stage hosted: Music from the '90s with Cynthia, Rockell, Noel and TKA; Mr. Nice Guy Band; Los Tres de La Habana and Timbalive; Willy Chirino; Albita; Sonic Flood; Matthew West.
In 2013, the Mainstreet Stage hosted: "We Are the In Crowd"; Kidz Bop; Gocho; Matt Hunter.
In 2011, concerts included Mr. C & The Cha Cha Slide, Chino Y Nacho, Luis Enrique, FCW Stars & WWE Wrestling, Sid the Science Kid, The Ready Set, Natalie Grant, Jerry Rivera, The Dirty Sock Funtime Band, Paper Tongues, and Ricky C.
Features
With more than 50,000 student exhibits, agriculture exhibits, family entertainment, 170 food stands, thrilling rides and 130 shops, The Youth Fair offers something for everyone.
The Midway yields nearly 100 rides through exclusive provider North American Midway Entertainment. The list includes:
Giving Back to the Community
Since inception, The Youth Fair has presented well above $10 million to the Miami-Dade community in the form of college scholarships, cash premiums and awards to students.
Its Scholarship Program annually awards up to 129 non-renewable $1,000 competitive scholarships to graduating high school seniors attending all Miami-Dade County public and private schools, including home school and charter school students, vocational students and alternative education students.
Land Issue
In 2013, Miami-Dade County began a process of discussing a possible relocation of The Youth Fair, which would allow Florida International University to expand its campus. The Youth Fair follows the terms of its lease with Miami-Dade County, which includes a provision for early termination. If the county identifies a relocation site that meets the terms of the lease, equal to or better than the present site, and if FIU raises the more than $230 million that relocation will cost, plus the cost of land, there would be a three-year notice to move. But any possible move is, at the least, years away.