Gwinnett County Fair will run for 10 days

The Gwinnett County Fair kicked into high gear Thursday with livestock shows, midway rides, music, pageants and food galore.

The fair starts at 4 p.m. and runs for 10 days at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville.

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KIMBERLY SMITH / ksmith@ajc.com

Steve Taylor scrubs down Griff Gilette’s trailer in preparation for today’s opening of the Gwinnett County Fair in Lawrenceville. Griff sells fried onions and other veggies.

IF YOU GO
• What: Gwinnett County Fair
• When: Today through Sept. 21
• Where: Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville
• Cost: $5; $2 ages 65 and older and ages 6-12; free for ages 5 and younger. Rides are extra. Parking is free.
• More info: 770-963-6522, gwinnettfair@bellsouth.net

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One of the main attractions is the cattle show, which is the second-largest in the state. The show gives visitors a chance to learn about hogs, goats and lambs and to “see the animals on the hoof vs. the grocery store,” fair manager Dale Thurman said.

Those with a sense of adventure can hop aboard the approximately 50 rides

Although rides cost in addition to the $5 admission, Thurman said the fair offers specials. Today and Monday through Thursday of next week, an empty Coke can and a $15 hand stamp will allow patrons on any of the rides as many times as they want.

New this year is folk hero Okefenokee Joe, who will play the guitar and share stories about Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp. “I think the kids will get a kick out of it,” Thurman said.

Those with hardy appetites can indulge in candy apples, hot dogs, vegetables and homemade pudding among the many offerings.

And the fair wouldn’t be complete without the Miss Gwinnett County Youth Pageants. More than 100 girls, ranging from infants to 17 years of age, will compete in nine pageants. The money raised pays for a scholarship award for the Miss Gwinnett Pageant. The winner of that competition enters the Miss Georgia contest in June in Columbus.