We will not be hosting community groups at the 2020 Florida State Fair. Please check back in August 2021 for information about the 2022 Florida State Fair.
Community performances is one of the great, long standing traditions of the Florida State Fair! This is a great opportunity for your musical group to demonstrate their talent as well as showcase their hard work and team effort. Music groups of all kinds are welcome such as children's choirs, adult choirs, orchestras, music clubs and ensembles. All music and performance types should relate directly to late 19th century rural Florida.
Help us immerse our guests in the sounds of historic rural Florida! The music you are performing should be traditional hymns, folk songs, early country music or relate directly to the time period of 1870-1912 in Florida.
Performance Dates
Groups can perform any day during the Florida State Fair.
Admissions
One ticket will be provided for each community group performer. Performers can use this ticket to enter the State Fair via any State Fair ticket gate. All guests, spectators, and extra chaperones will need to purchase a ticket from a Florida State Fair ticket booth and enter the State Fair through a ticket gate.
School & children's community performance groups: One adult (teacher or chaperone) for every ten students will also be given a ticket to provide enough supervision for each student.
Appearance
Dress in simple clothing items. Period clothing from the late 19th century and early 20th century is welcome but not required.
Help us Maintain the Atmosphere!
To help maintain the historical feel of Cracker Country, we do not allow the use of microphones and amplifiers in our community performance locations. Electrical hookup is available is some locations upon request. You must provide your own extension cords, etc.
Performance Location & Length
Outside: A performance in the Cracker Country yard is 30 minutes in length or two separate 15 minute performances.
Church: Performances in the Cracker Country Church are 30 minutes - 2 hours in length. The church is limited to a maximum group size of 25 individuals.
Approval Process
Groups can perform any day during the Florida State Fair. Limited space is available and dates are not guaranteed until you receive a confirmation letter. To register your music group please fill out the registration form online.
Please provide a written script of any spoken material to be used during the performance in your application.
Musical selections will need to be approved by the Florida State Fair Authority prior to the group’s performance.
Examples of Music
Cracker Country is seeking performers to sing and strum along to traditional hymns, period children’s music, folk songs, and early country music or music that relates directly to the time period of 1870-1912 in Florida. Below is a list of some examples of songs from the time period.
Children's Songs
A-Hunting We Will Go, Composer Thomas Arne, 1777
Jesus Loves Me, Lyrics Anna B Warner and David Rutherford McGuire, Composer William B. Bradbury, 1862
I've Been Working on the Railroad, 1894
Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Composer Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer, 1908
Turkey In the Straw, prior to 1834
The Stars and Stripes Forever, Composer Sousa, 1896
This Little Light of Mine, Composer Harry Dixon Loes, Ca. 1920
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Composer Mozart, Lyrics by Jane Taylor, 1806
Star Spangled Banner, Composer Francis Scott Key, 1814
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Composer Wallis Willis, ca. 1860s
When Johnny comes marching home, Composer Louis Lambert Published by Henry Tolman & Co., 1863
Yankee Doodle, Composer Dr. Shackburg 1755.
Traditional Hymns
Amazing Grace, Lyrics by John Newton, 1779.
In the Garden, Composer C. Austin Miles, 1912.
Softly and Tenderly, Composer Will L. Thompson, 1880.
Rock of Ages, Lyrics by Augustus M. Toplady, Composer Thomas Hastings, 1830.
To God Be The Glory, Lyrics by Fanny J. Crosby, Composer William H. Doane, 1875.
Folk Songs
My Wild Irish Rose, Composer Chauncey Olcott, 1899.
I'll take you home again Kathleen, Composer Thomas Westendorf, 1875
Image: When Johnny comes marching home. Published by Henry Tolman & Co., Boston, 1863. Image Retrieved from the Library of Congress. M1640.G. http://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200001128