Country traditions meet new twists at the Florida State Fair

That aroma wafting from eastern Hillsborough County is funnel cakes, sausage and peppers and curly fries.

The sounds you hear are the squeals of people riding The Zipper and the Ferris wheel.

You know what that means: The Florida State Fair has come again.

And although you'll find something new around every corner, such as a mac-and-cheese burger and the Xtreme Sports Show, the beauty of the fair is its predictability – people wearing stickers declaring what county they're from, cows giving birth in the agriculture barn, the occasional bout of bad weather and the swoon-inspiring smell of those decadent foods you only eat once a year.

So, when you attend this year's Florida State Fair, we're fairly certain:

You'll eat something on a stick. From deep-fried corn to (God forbid) fried butter to the classic corn dog, a trip to the fair isn't compete without consuming something on a skewer. New to this year's "on-a-stick" menu is the puzzling Deep Fried Mashed Potatoes.

A ride will make you feel queasy. There are thrill rides that go upside down, backward, forward, sideways. Throw in a couple of Gs and you'll be staggering down the midway totally discombobulated. Just seeing the Tilt-A-Whirl gives us the heebie-jeebies.

It will rain. It's February, which means a cold front with rainfall is bound to barrel in sometime during the fair's two-week run. In 2010, a sudden storm with wind gusts of more than 60 mph caused a food tent to collapse. So be prepared to dodge raindrops and puddles – we recommend staying dry in Florida Expo Hall with its many exhibits.

There will be an Elvis sighting. Jumpsuits! Pompadours! Blue suede shoes! Elvis look-a-likes will have you "All Shook Up" at the Elvis Extravaganza Impersonator National Finals at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

You'll get in touch with your inner Florida cracker. From soap-making to bee-keeping, kettle corn to boiled peanuts, Cracker Country – its 13 original buildings filled with re-enactors – takes you back to1890s rural Florida. Try your hand at making beef jerky or listen as the blacksmith relays stories of Florida pioneers.

You'll want to win a blue ribbon. Countless competitions from jam to quilts to wood-carving to horticulture give children and adults alike the chance to be No. 1. We dare you to gaze upon the winning entries and not dream of taking home your own blue ribbon.

All paths lead to the racing pigs. You will join in with the squealing as you try to pick which swift, curly-tailed swine will sprint toward the finish line the fastest – by a snout.

The sideshows will entice. Step right up and you'll be tempted to see multi-headed animals, fire eaters and other oddities, such as a bearded woman or the world's smallest cow. But are they real or an illusion? Enter at your own risk.

You'll regret winning that giant penguin or Sponge Bob. The game barkers will question your manhood; you'll want to prove to your children you can sink that basket or knock over milk bottles. But do you really want to carry around a large fuzzy Rastafarian banana all day? We didn't think so. We recommend playing the carnival games as you're leaving the fair.

You'll never see a prettier chicken. Or cow. Or goat. Or bunny. Or pig. The livestock barns are the heart of the fair, showcasing the best of Florida agriculture. Students nurture and primp chickens, rabbits, cows and more for competition. In these circles, beauty trumps tastiness – at least, for some of these pampered prizes, until after the competition.

FLORIDA STATE FAIR

When: through Feb. 20

Where: Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N.

Tickets: Monday through Friday, $10 adults, $5 children (6 to 12 years old); Saturday and Sunday, $12 adults, $6 children (6 to 12 years old); free for ages 5 and younger

More information: Call (813) 621-7821 or (800) 345-3247, or visit www.floridastatefair.com