FAQ'S

The Fairgrounds

The Florida State Fairgrounds has been the host of the Tampa Caribbean Festival multiple times and is proud to once again hold our annual festival. It is the home of the annual State Fair which brings in thousands of people from around the state.

The venue is conveniently located between US Highway 301 and Orient Road on the north side of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The address is 4800 US Highway 301 North, Tampa FL 33610. Entrance/Parking

There are 3 entrances into the Fairgrounds property: Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., US Hwy. 301 and Orient Road. MLK, Jr. Blvd. and US Hwy. 301 are only open when there are events ongoing at the Fairgrounds. Those that are planning to attend the event can park within the Fairgrounds facility by way of either the Martin Luther King entrance or the US Highway 301 entrance. The event will be located within the south domes in the fairgrounds and the Florida Center Outdoor Terrace.

Getting There

From Tampa or St. Pete/Clearwater via I-275 to I-4 Eastbound

U.S. Hwy. 301 Entrance Gate:  Travel on I-275 North toward I-4/Orlando and merge onto I-4 East via Exit 45B.  Take Exit #7 (U.S. Hwy. 301 South) and stay in the right lane heading south for ¼ mile.  Turn right into the Fairgrounds entrance.  Do NOT go past the light at MLK, Jr. Blvd.Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Entrance Gate: Travel on I-275 North toward I-4/Orlando and merge onto I-4 East via Exit 45B. Take Exit #5 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd./SR-574 West) and turn right off the ramp. Proceed past the Orient Rd. light and the Fairgrounds entrance is on the left-hand side.Orient Rd. Entrance Gate:  From I-4 Eastbound only, take Exit #6 for Orient Rd. and turn right off the ramp. There will be a sign for the Fairgrounds entrance immediately on the left-hand side.  Check in at the Security Guard gate for entry.

From Lakeland/Orlando area via I-4 Westbound

U.S. Hwy. 301 Entrance Gate:  Travel on I-4 West toward Tampa to Exit #7 toward US-92 W / HILLSBOROUGH AVE and merge onto US-301 south toward RIVERVIEW.  Head south ¼ mile and turn right into the Fairgrounds entrance.  Do NOT go past the light at MLK, Jr. Blvd.Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Entrance Gate:  Travel on I-4 West toward Tampa to Exit #5 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.). Turn left off the ramp. Proceed past the Orient Rd. light and the Fairgrounds entrance is immediately on the left.Orient Rd. Entrance Gate:  Travel on I-4 West toward Tampa to Exit #7 toward US-92 W / HILLSBOROUGH AVE and merge onto E. HILLSBOROUGH AVE. Proceed to the light at Orient Road and turn left. There will be a sign for the Fairgrounds entrance on the left-hand side.  Check in at the Security Guard gate for entry.

Traveling from I-75 North/South (from Ocala/Sarasota area)

U.S. Hwy. 301 Entrance Gate:  Follow the same directions as when traveling to the MLK, Jr. Blvd. entrance, however make a right-hand turn at the light at U.S. Hwy. 301.  The Fairgrounds entrance will be on the left-hand side across from the Holiday Inn Express and the Winghouse Restaurant.Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Entrance Gate:  Traveling north on I-75, take Exit #260 (B) and merge LEFT onto DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD (aka SR-574 West). Traveling south on I-75, take Exit #260 and merge RIGHT onto DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD.  Go west for 2.5 miles and pass the light at U.S. Hwy. 301.  Turn right into the Fairgrounds entrance.Orient Rd. Entrance Gate:  Follow the same directions as when traveling to the MLK, Jr. Blvd. entrance, however keep proceeding on MLK, Jr. Blvd. to the next light which is ORIENT RD.  Make a right at Orient Road.  There will be a sign for the Fairgrounds entrance on the right-hand side.  Check in at the Security Guard gate for entry.