Fair features old, new festivities for friends, family

As cooler weather arrives, so does the 43rd annual Columbia County Fall Fair.

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The Merchants Association of Columbia County will hold 10 days of games, food and fun at the Columbia County Fairgrounds on Columbia Road across from Patriots Park.

The fair opens Thursday at 5 p.m. with Dollar Day, when admission, rides and some games and food cost $1. The festivities will continue through Nov. 8.

"It's mainly just to have some good clean fun and have some quality time with your friends and family," said Pam Randall, the president-elect of the Merchants Association.

Drew Expositions will operate the rides, which include the Mega-Drop that has a 150-foot free fall, the Ring of Fire roller coaster, the Himalaya, the Scrambler, the Seattle Wheel and, new this year, the Rocking Tug Boat.

There also will be plenty of rides for children ages 8 and younger, Randall said.

In addition to rides and food, crowds can check out a petting zoo, BMX stunt shows, Robinson's Racing Pigs and master woodcarver Brian Ruth.

These attractions will occur many times throughout each evening.

Judging for Future Farmers of America exhibits will take place at 6 p.m. during the fair's opening night.

Teens and children will have the chance to enter a singing competition on Apollo Night, Nov. 4 and Nov. 6.

On Halloween, guests may turn in one new toy for Toys for Tots as an admission fee and pay $10 for unlimited rides.

"We do offer free parking, and we have people come out there and pick you up in golf carts and take you down to the main gate," Randall said.

The Columbia County Fair serves as a fundraiser for several charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross, Camp Rainbow, The Children's Miracle Network, Columbia County Cares, Easter Seals and the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation.

Randall said about 80,000 people attended last year.

"The more the merrier," she said. "We always say this is the best G-rated entertainment you can still get today."

The fair closes at midnight on Friday and Saturday and will close no later than 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Fair admission and ride prices vary.

For more information about the fair, visit www.columbiacountyfair.net.