Scene and Heard

ALL DAY MUSIC – ALL DAY RIDES – ALL DAY FUN

ROCKIN’ THE MIDWAY AT

THE FUNSHINE MUSIC FESTIVAL

3 DAYS WITH MORE THAN 30 ACTS

ON SIX STAGES FEATURING

TRAIN, THE SMASHING PUMPKINS,

REO SPEEDWAGON, STYX, GARY ALLAN,

CHRIS CARRABBA (DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL), WALLFLOWERS, NEW FOUND GLORY

OVER 60 RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS

FRIDAY, MAY 3^RD – SUNDAY, MAY 5^TH

FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS

ON SALE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23^RD / 10AM

        TAMPA, FL – The Florida State Fair Authority and Live Nation have partnered together to host what may be the biggest festival that Tampa Bay has seen in years. The inaugural Rockin’ the Midway at the Funshine Music Festival presented by the Tampa Bay Times brings more than 30 acts spread over six stages and more than 60 thrill rides and attractions to the Florida State Fairgrounds, Friday, May 3^rd through Sunday May 5^th.  With a wide variety of top name musical acts and a huge array of other activities, this family friendly event is sure to provide something for everyone!

        Utilizing six stages including the Live Nation Amphitheatre and the Fairgrounds Expo Hall, the Festival has put together an all-star cast of performers along with the best local bands.

    Friday Night May 3^rd features: Train, Smashing Pumpkins, Cheap Trick, Good Old War, Youngblood Hawke, Dead Confederate and Roadkill Ghost Choir.  Plus another not just special, but very, very special guest to be announced soon.                                              

Saturday, May 4^th features: REO Speedwagon, Styx, Ted Nugent, New Found Glory, Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional), We The Kings, Bad Books (featuring members of Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine), Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band, The Weeks, Pitbull Toddler, Hell’s Bells (AC/DC Tribute), and Tallhart.     Finally Sunday, May 5^th enjoy: Gary Allan, Kix Brooks, The Wallflowers, Josh Thompson, The Lone Bellow, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Bobby Lee Rodgers, Sticky Fingers (Rolling Stones Tribute), and Yesterday (Beatles Tribute).

And expect more bands to be announced as well.  See website, www.funshinefestival.com, for a full schedule and stage locations for all acts.

        Make a day of it for the whole family and between the music be sure to catch all the other attractions.  There are more than 60 thrill rides and attractions including a Roller Coaster, Giant Slide, Ferris Wheel, helicopter ride, sky ride and zip line.  Try your hand at skill games or stroll through a Crafts Fair area.  Let the children frolic on the many kid friendly rides or be amazed at a magic show. 

        And don’t forget the food.  There will be a wide variety from healthy alternative menus to specialty food trucks to open pit barbeques.  Whether an adventurous eater or not, you won’t go hungry.

“With more than 30 bands on six stages and 60 plus thrill rides and attractions this Festival offers something special for everyone,” says Neil Jacobsen, President of Live Nation FL.  “Great music, great rides and great fun all at a price the entire Family can afford.”

        Advance General Admission tickets are just $20.00/day beginning Saturday, February 23^rd / 10AM through Friday, April 26^th / 10PM.  Tickets include general admission to all stages and the Festival Lawn at Live Nation Amphitheatre.  Reserved Seat tickets for the Amphitheatre shows are also available for an additional fee.  Kids 5 and under are free and 6-12 are just $10.00 at the gate.  To purchase tickets go to www.floridastatefair.com, www.funshinefestival.com, www.livenation.com, all TicketMaster outlets or charge-by-phone at (800) 745-3000. 

All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, parking and service and handling charges.

 Festival attendees will also be able to enjoy the Florida State Fairgrounds’ campgrounds that will be available at special pricing to those with RV’s.  For information on camping, call 813-621-7821.

Rockin’ the Midway at the Funshine Music Festival presented by the Tampa Bay Times runs Friday May 3^rd (4PM – Midnight), Saturday, May 4^th (11AM – Midnight) and Sunday, May 5^th (11AM – 10PM) at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 US Hwy. 301 in Tampa.  For more information go to www.funshinefestival.com or the Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/FunshineMusicFestival and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FunshineFestFL.