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2026 SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR

South Florida Fair awards more than $91,000 in scholarships


The South Florida Fair awarded $91,000 in scholarships to 34 students from five local counties during a ceremony with fair dignitaries and their families. Thirty-one high school and three college students received the scholarships during a presentation on January 18, 2026 the first Sunday of the fair.

The scholarships ranged from $1,000 to $4,000 in four categories: general, agriculture, nursing and fine arts. The scholarship money can be used at any accredited institution of higher learning or trade school. The fair’s scholarship committee selected the winners based on the students’ grades, need, and an entry essay.

Since the program began in 1982, the fair has awarded a total of more than $1,030,000 in scholarship money, continuing a 43-year tradition of supporting education.

Students from Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, Hendry and Okeechobee counties were eligible to apply. Each finalist was interviewed, with winners selected by the scholarship committee each finalist and then selected the winners.

South Florida Fair Scholarship Committee members are Donna Winterson, chair; Christine Shaw, vice chair; Annis Manning; Chairty Lewis, Dan Lewis, Eva Webb, John Severson, Jorge Avellana, Lee Glaze, Lisa Johnson, Mable Datena, Robi Jurney, Sarah Hoadley, Shawna Ahmad, Sheyla Zayas Torralbes, Tevin Ali, Tiffany Faublas, Ashley Cacicedo, Caitlyn Bergman, Denise Manning, Dymond Franklin, Erika Duff, Hannah Sou, Katie Spitzig and Lauren Johnson.

The 2026 scholarship recipients are:

  • Adrian Baeza of Pahokee, Glades Day School,
  • Lillie Bandi of Okeechobee, Okeechobee High School,
  • Alyssa Brewer of Belle Glade, Glades Day School
  • Grace Cain of West Palm Beach, Forest Hill Community High School,
  • Sophia Caves of Okeechobee, Okeechobee High School
  • Sarahi Cedro of West Palm Beach, John I. Leonard High School
  • Zya Chow of Wellington, Wellington Community High School
  • Zuri Dowdell of Royal Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach High School
  • Karvens Elisme of Mangonia Park, Palm Beach Lakes Community High School
  • Fahima Emran of Clewiston, Clewiston High School
  • Ada Erazo-Motino of Loxahatchee, Palm Beach Lakes High School
  • Joel Francis of Lauderhill, Fort Lauderdale High School
  • Cerenity Frederick of Riviera Beach, Howard University
  • Ashley Genin of Belle Glade, Pahokee High School
  • Arielle Holder of Miramar, Everglades High School
  • Anneliese Hsiao of Weston, American Heritage,
  • Klay Ilhardt of Jupiter, Cornell University
  • Jazmin Jezewski of Royal Palm Beach, Wellington High School,
  • Maria Jose Jimenez of Greenacres, South Tech Academy
  • Joshua Larson, Okeechobee High School, Okeechobee
  • Lilly Larson of Okeechobee, Okeechobee High School
  • Tamsin Lee of Royal Palm Beach, Seminole Ridge High School
  • Isabel Gonzalez Lopez of Belle Glade, Glades Day School
  • Taranza McKelvin of South Bay, Glades Day School
  • Kathryn Montes DeOca of Okeechobee, Okeechobee High School
  • Ella Morey of Stuart, Martin County High School
  • Max Mullen of West Palm Beach, Cardinal Newman High School
  • India Roehrich-Hill of Lake Worth Beach, Palm Beach State College
  • Camila Concepcion Satiago of Lake Worth Beach, South Tech Academy
  • Justin Schoen of Lake Worth, Park Vista Community High School
  • Lola Simpson-Gay of West Palm Beach, Wellington High School
  • Ruhaan Sood of Royal Palm Beach, A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts
  • Elana Sookdeo of Coral Springs, Plantation High School
  • Musiq Williams of West Palm Beach, A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts


DECEMBER 16, 2025

South Florida Fair announces Shiner Law Group

as naming rights partner for Expo Center

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The South Florida Fair is proud to announce a landmark partnership with Shiner Law Group, which has acquired the naming rights to the fair’s prominent Expo Center. Effective immediately, the facility will be officially known as the Shiner Law Group Expo Center.

This long-term agreement reflects Shiner Law Group’s ongoing commitment to the South Florida community and its support of local events, economic development, and cultural initiatives. Business partnerships play an integral role to nonprofit organizations, including the South Florida Fair, in helping to offset costs for its guests.

We are excited to partner with the Shiner Law Group and welcome them as the new naming partner of our Expo Center, said Matt Wallsmith, president & CEO of the South Florida Fair & Palm Beach County Expositions, Inc. Their dedication to serving the South Florida community aligns perfectly with our mission, and we look forward to a successful collaboration.

The Shiner Law Group, a leading personal injury law firm founded in South Florida, views this partnership as an opportunity to further invest in the region it serves.

Over the years countless families – including my own family – have created many great memories at the South Florida Fairgrounds, said David Shiner, founding attorney of Shiner Law Group. Having our name on the Shiner Law Group Expo Center is a meaningful opportunity to give back and invest in a place that brings our community together. We share the fairs dedication to service, integrity, and community spirit, and we look forward to a strong, long-term partnership.

The 2026 South Florida Fair will be kick off on January 15 with its Ride-A-Thon and the full fair will be held January 16 – February 1. The 2026 theme is Party with the Pirates. Fairgoers will be encouraged to unleash their inner pirate with a variety of activities, entertainment, fair food and attractions inspired by the legends of the high seas. The fun takes place at the fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., and will feature a variety of new activities along with all of the tried and true fair favorites.



South Florida Fair marks the end of an era

and a new beginning

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The South Florida Fair is bidding “fair-well” to Vicki Chouris, president & CEO of the South Florida Fair & Palm Beach County Expositions, Inc. Her retirement as of June 30 at the close of the fair’s fiscal year marks the end of an era. She has been with the fair for 43 years.

Chouris was responsible for overseeing a staff of 55 people and managing the production of the annual 17-day fair. Among her highlights as CEO, she successfully navigated the COVID pandemic in 2020. The South Florida Fair was one of the few fairs in the nation to hold its annual event, and in 2021, Chouris decided to hold an additional fair in May to make up for smaller crowds at the January fair due to the lingering effects of the pandemic.

Chouris said what she’ll miss the most are the people — her staff and the volunteers who make it all happen.

“I’ll also miss seeing the smiles of the fairgoers, knowing that they are bringing joy to thousands of people, thanks to the time, effort and talents of our staff and volunteers,” said Chouris.

Matt Wallsmith will take the reins from Chouris starting July 1, a promotion from his current position of chief financial officer. During his 26 years with the South Florida Fair, he was responsible for handling the accounting and overseeing the gates, midway, concessions, information technology and maintenance operations. Wallsmith earned a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Florida and began his career in public accounting at Ernst & Young LLP. He is currently a licensed CPA in Florida.

As the new president & CEO, Wallsmith plans to focus on improving parking and enhancing the overall experience and value for fairgoers.

“I’m excited to lead the South Florida Fair into its next chapter, emphasizing innovation, sustainability and excellence,” said Wallsmith. “I’m looking forward to working closely with the board, leadership team and all employees to drive the organization’s mission and deliver exceptional experiences to fairgoers.”

MEDIA CONTACT:
Doreen Poreba, APR, The PR Czar® Inc.
OFFICE: (772) 221-2425
MOBILE/TEXT: (772) 215-2333
EMAIL: prczar@comcast.net



SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR INSTALLS NEW CHAIR AND BOARD

Becky Isiminger
1 of 9

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The South Florida Fair & Palm Beach County Expositions, Inc. has announced Becky Isiminger as the new chair of its board of directors and also has added eight new members to its board. Isiminger replaces outgoing chair Robert Weisman.

For the past 20 years, Isiminger has served as the corporate secretary/treasurer for Isiminger & Stubbs Engineering overseeing the financial department. She has been a director at the fair since 2005 and a trustee since 2012. Beyond the tair, she currently serves on the Quantum House Board of Directors, is a past president of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches and is an elder at First Presbyterian Church in North Palm Beach.

The new board members are Shawna Ahmad, Yinett Florentino, Ilan Kaufer, Charity Lewis, Chris McAllister, Pam Rada, Frank Sardinha III and Brannan Thomas.

Ahmad has been a Florida educator for 29 years. Currently, she teaches and learns with academically progressive high school students and colleagues at Seminole Ridge High School in Westlake. Her goal is to create academically engaging learning experiences through an environment that fosters creativity, curiosity and kindness.

Florentino is a small business owner, providing consultancy services in the administrative realm. With a background in business, non-profit organizations, marketing and accounting, she is passionate about helping and supporting business leaders lead with purpose in both the profit and non-profit sectors. Her interests include leadership, business development and innovation.

Kaufer serves as the external affairs manager for Florida Power & Light Company. In that role, he manages external relations for portions of Palm Beach County and all of Okeechobee County. He has worked for FPL since 2009 and has served the company in various roles.

Lewis works as the civic engagement supervisor for the City of West Palm Beach. With many years of experience in fulfilling multifaceted roles in customer and public service, in both the public and private sector, she possesses a unique blend of communications, marketing and public relations expertise.

McAllister is a registered nurse with over a decade of experience in the emergency department, currently serving as a team manager at VITAS Healthcare. Beyond his professional commitments, he is deeply involved in community service, dedicating 13 years as a volunteer at the South Florida Fair.

Rada’s career spans more than 15 years of marketing, public relations and sales experience. She currently oversees the marketing, advertising and community outreach for Wellington Regional Medical Center. Prior to healthcare, Rada served as a marketing director in the shopping center industry.

Sardinha III is a practicing attorney in Palm Beach Gardens at Loren & Kean Law. A proud Palm Beach County native, he has been attending the South Florida Fair since elementary school. Since 2005, he has volunteered for the Florida American Legion Boys State, serving as its executive director for several years, and on its Board of Directors since 2018.

Brannan is the Director of Community Relations for U.S. Sugar. In this role, Thomas manages the company’s community support and engagement initiatives, serving the Glades and coastal communities where the people of U.S. Sugar live and work. Thomas is responsible for overseeing U.S. Sugar’s generous community outreach efforts in the towns, groups, and organizations the company supports.

Previously, Thomas served as Director of Business Development for Transworld M & A, a corporate sales and advisory firm based in Fort Lauderdale. He spent nearly 5 years working in the franchise and business sales industry and served as a Regional Vice President for United Franchise Group  in West Palm Beach.  Part of Brannan’s Community Relations outreach involves sitting on a number of boards. The impressive list includes the Glades Area Boys & Girls Club, Clewiston Chamber of Commerce, Hendry County Economic Development Council, Clewiston Sugar Festival. He is also a trustee with the Central Palm Beach County Chamber Board, and the Sugar Industry Labor Management Committee.

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