The Florida State Fair returns for its nearly two-week run today with the usual mix of carnival rides and deep-fried outrages encircling a sandy expanse of pavilions containing farm animals, arts and crafts, live entertainment and a new emphasis on Florida history to mark the 500th anniversary of a guy named Ponce first stepping foot in the Sunshine State.
Sharon Kennedy Wynne, Times staff writer

Music and entertainment
LeAnn Rimes (Feb. 18) is the biggest headliner of the fair this year performing at 7:30 p.m. in the Entertainment Hall. Tickets start at $25, not including fair admission.
An unusual choice is the Gainesville punk band Less Than Jake on Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 VIP seating, $10 reserved seating and limited free mezzanine level bleacher seating. Fair admission required.
Other acts include:
Starship featuring Mickey Thomas at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Concert admission is $15 VIP seating, $10 reserved seating and limited free mezzanine level bleacher seating. Fair admission required.
The Bellamy Brothers at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $15 VIP seating, $10 reserved seating and limited free mezzanine level bleacher seating. Fair admission required.
Zoom’N is a “Broadway-style musical journey of Florida’s history” that has been created especially for the Florida State Fair for daily performances.

History in the making

This year is the 500th anniversary of Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon’s arrival in Florida. The fair will salute the anniversary with exhibits such as “Florida Agriculture: 500 Years in the Making,” which is a look at the history of farming in the state. The pun-loving fair organizers have added a new “ConquistaTOUR,” a self-guided exploration of the 330-acre fairgrounds, with stops at the “Mooternity Ward” livestock exhibit under the fair’s “COWquistador” logo. Pick up a map at Guest Services, visit the 10 tour locations and get the map stamped at each. Complete 8 of the 10 stops and receive a Cow-quistador sticker. There’s also a new Florida Cattlemen’s Museum, Florida’s Learning Garden to get tips on how to grow produce, herbs and fruit here, and Cow Hunter’s Camp in Cracker Country.

Discount days
To see a complete list go to floridastatefair.com/state-fair/daily-discounts.
Pepsi Armband Days: On Friday and Feb. 18, bring an empty Diet Mountain Dew can and pay $25 for a ride armband, a $5 savings.
Midweek Midway Madness: Get armbands for $15 after 3 p.m. on Wednesday.