Fair opens Thursday
The 38th Annual Columbia County Fall Fair opens Thursday, and one fair official said he thinks it will be the best fair yet.
"James H. Drew is going to be playing us this year," said Mike Zapata, president of the Martinez Merchants Association, the fair's sponsor."We've got a hometown man playing us after Richmond County let him go. We're real excited about that. He has a great reputation, and we know he'll do a fantastic job for us."
Special events at this year's fair include human cannonball Dave Smith, who will be shot out of a cannon over the Cyclops ride twice nightly and three times on the weekend. It also will include the Georgia Arm Wrestling Championship on Nov. 1, children's best costume contest Oct. 31, and Georgia Agricultural Night featuring free milk while supplies last Nov. 6.
"The lights. The rides. The music. The food. Just the atmosphere of everyone congregating to have a good time is what brings people to a fair," Zapata said.
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For fair patrons wanting to take a break from the funnel cakes and flipping rides, the Merchants Association and Columbia County 4-H is holding an arts and crafts exhibition.
"God almighty, we've got some talented people in this county," Zapata said about the exhibits. "It's unreal some of the things they can do."
The fair, at the fairgrounds on Columbia Road across from Patriots Park, runs from Thursday to Nov. 8. Normal gate prices are $5. Admission for children ages 4 or under are free. Ride tickets cost $1 each but ticket books and nightly specials can cost less per ticket.
Patrons can purchase unlimited rides for $10 Sunday-Thursday next week.
Hours are 5-11 p.m. on Monday through Thursday; 5 p.m. to midnight Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 1 p.m. until on Sunday.
Tonight is Dollar night; Admission, games and rides are all $1 for everyone.
Church Bulletin Day is Sunday with $1 off admission for anyone with a church bulletin.
Senior's Night is Monday and anyone more than 55 years old gets in for $2. All others on Monday get in for only $3.
Student Night is Tuesday with all students getting in for $2, or $7 will buy unlimited rides.
Sponsor Night is Nov. 5 featuring a $3 admission price for fair sponsors.