Merchants Association readies for county fair

Thrilling rides, exciting games, vinegar-covered French fries and a daredevil shot from a 35-foot canon.

Those are a few of the attractions Jimmy Drew promises for Columbia County residents when Drew Expedition sets up the midway for the first time at the county's fall fair.

"We are moving on up with Drew," said Merchants Association of Columbia County President Mike Zapata, whose group sponsors the annual fair. "We are looking forward to a great fair this year. As long as we have some fantastic weather, we are going to be able to accommodate everyone well this year. Everyone should have a real good time."

The upcoming fair is scheduled for Oct. 30 through Nov. 8 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds on Columbia Road.

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It will feature daredevil David Smith, who will shoot from a 35-foot cannon over the Cyclops ride.

A stunt-motorcycle group from Quebec and the Georgia Arm Wrestling Championship is expected to provide other exciting performances.

Drew's company, founded in 1949, is one of the largest outdoor entertainment companies in the country and has provided amusements for the Great Wabash County Fair in Wabash County, Ind., since 1953 and the Mountain Festival in Bluefield, W.Va., since 1951. The Augusta-based company had run Exchange Club fairs in Augusta for more than 50 years.

The company will run more than 25 fairs and expositions in the Southeast this year.

Drew said there was something special about finally being able to setup in Columbia County and entertain residents who might not travel to the Georgia-Carolina State Fair, which is in downtown Augusta.

"We're real excited about the Columbia County fair," he said.