By Mark Woolsey
Interested in experiencing “Fair Nights under Stars and Stripes?”
That’s the theme for the 94thrd edition of the Superior Plumbing Presents the North Georgia State Fair, which throws open the gates on Thursday-and an obvious nod to America’s 250th.
Sept. 24 through Oct. 4, Jim Miller Park on Calloway Road in Marietta will be chock full of thrill rides, fair food for all kinds of palates, and both returning and brand-new shows and entertainment. Also featured will be a number of patriotic events and attractions.
Look for a double-handful of appreciative Atlantans, North Georgians and visitors from adjacent states.
“We average 300 thousand to 350 thousand attendees over the 11 days,” says the fair’s Missy Miller.
And both new experiences and beloved returning attractions will be on display.
“We have the fire guy. We have a magic show. We have a motocross show,” says Miller.
“We have something for everybody. And the Drew Exposition is rolling out five new rides, so we’re very excited about that,” she says.
The newbies include the Horror Hotel, Flying Cows (in which one rides a “bovine” while spinning around a central wheel) and a carousel.
They’ll join such perennial favorites as the Georgia Mountain Lift, the Seattle Wheel and the Wildcat Roller Coaster.
As the Drew Exposition people put it on their website, “more than 40 rides for all ages and adventurer levels.”
And the rides category of the fair comes with a new twist this year
Tuesday will see the fair rolling out a new experience for those with sensory issuers.
She says that day will find the fair opening early-at 2 p.m.-and the rides will run without music or lights from 2 until 4 p.m. for those who might otherwise feel bombarded by sound and lighting. A lighter crowd is also planned for.
Miller says “We hear other fairs were doing this. And we wanted to get on board because again, it’s a need in the community.” That’s a reference to other programming being done for special populations.
Those taking a break from rides and such can chomp on favorites such as corny dogs, funnel cakes, burgers and hot dogs, chicken and cheesecake.
Mindful of rising prices, fair officials have undertaken an initiative on the caloric front as well.
“We’ve introduced affordable pricing,” says Miller. “We’ve asked them to come up with some budget friendly menu items that are $10 and under.”
She says the response has been “really good” and they were compiling a list of the participants.
The fair is a panoply of activities: rides, midway games, petting barns (an additional one this year) stunt shows, bull riding, blue ribbon competitions for the best in craft goods and various fruits, vegetables and other foodstuffs, a dog show. And the list goes on and on.
One of the most notable is “Mutton Bustin” held before the bull riders show and in its second year. Imagine youngsters on sheep breaking out of bull-riding type stalls. The junior cowboy who stays on his “mutton” the longest wins a belt buckle.
Oh, and they’re put in a bull riding helmet and knee and elbow pads for safety’s sake.
“We debuted it last year and it had a huge turnout,” says Miller.
Addressing another potential area of concern, Miller says fairgoers can feel safe with an extensive security system-both electrotonic and human, newly emphasized this year.
Fair admission is $15, $10 for seniors and youngsters 10 and under free. There is a clear bag policy in effect. After 6 p.m. youngsters under the age of 17 will not be admitted without a parent.
Hours: 4 p.m. tp 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
4pm to midnight Friday.
10 a.m. to midnight Saturday.12:30 p.m. to 10 p.