Fall fair is back, better than ever

Blessed with beautiful weather for its opening days, the Columbia County Fall Fair is again delighting children of all ages in Columbia County.

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The show is going on this year despite an unexpected dark cloud: The loss of longtime Columbia County Merchants Association member Thad Gray, a Columbia County native who passed away last weekend abruptly at the young age of 52.

Though it might seem a little odd to indulge in revelry after a death in the family, there could scarcely be a better tribute to Gray's life and service to the Merchants Association than another spectacular fair.

Most families, of course, will simply come to the fair for the usual reasons: Because it's a wonderful way to have a good time in a safe, family-friendly environment.

Behind the scenes, though, the fair is about far more than rides and fried foods. It's the biggest fundraiser for the civic-minded Merchants Association, which ceremonially opened the gates at the Columbia Road fairgrounds Thursday after handing out thousands of dollars in donations to such worthy organizations as Columbia County Cares, the Children's Miracle Network and Martinez-Evans Little League.

That opening, the day after Gray's funeral, was bittersweet. But the show goes on, bigger and better than ever - and he wouldn't want it any other way.

The fair is open today from 1-11 p.m., Monday-Friday from 5-11 p.m. and Saturday from noon to midnight. For information on daily specials and events, check out the fair's Web site at www.columbiacountyfair.net, or call the fair hotline at (706) 210-3603.

See you there!