Fairs continue to be a surviving staple of Americana, and the fall couldn’t be a better time to step right up. These area fairs include plenty of pageantry, including all the flash and thrills of the carnival midway. In each case it costs extra to hop a ride. Keep in mind they all offer all-attraction specials on certain days.
LAWRENCEVILLE
Gwinnett County Fair at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
Twirling midway rides, carnival food, beauty pageants, live music and livestock shows are all county fair traditions. Organizers say it’s the latter that they’re pushing big this year. Some fairs have put livestock-related events out to pasture, but this one is going old school. On-site sheep shearing, milking demonstrations and wool competitions are just a few of the activities on the schedule. All the music, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. and is included with ticket price, has a country tinge to it. The roster features Billy “Crash” Craddock (Sept. 17), Jimmy Fortune (Sept. 18), John Conlee (Sept. 19), Baillie & the Boys (Sept. 20), The Skillit Lickers and River’s Edge (Sept. 21), and Alex Hall (Sept. 22). Kids may delight at daily performances by NoJoe’s Clown Circus, a new addition to this year’s fair. This traveling troupe tours the land with clowns and daredevil acrobats. The fair’s powers that be say they’ll be just as surprised as the kids to see what carnival rides arrive for 2012. They do, however, expect an extended midway with more than 50 rides.
5-11 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 11 a.m.-midnight Saturdays; 1-10 p.m. Sundays. Sept. 13-23. $5; $2 seniors and children ages 6-12; free ages 5 and younger. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 770-963-6522, www.gwinnettcountyfair.com.
MARIETTA
Superior Plumbing North Georgia State Fair at Jim R. Miller Park
The chromatic sights, foot-tapping sounds and mouthwatering scents mean the North Georgia State Fair is back in business. Its beauty pageant helps launch the festivities Sept. 20. Kids will likely be mesmerized by the vibrant midway’s potpourri of rides and attractions. The centerpiece is the Seattle Wheel from the 1962 World’s Fair, which starred alongside Elvis Presley in the flick “It Happened at the World’s Fair.” Specialty acts include puppeteer Peter Hart, soaring BMX bikes and Lisa Dufresne’s trained horses. A wealth of music helps pack the fair’s dance card. Christian rock acts Newsboys, Building 429 and Luminate take the stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21. Radio Disney’s concert event features Coco Jones, Shealeigh, Chloe and Halle, and Jack Skuller starting at 11 a.m. Sept. 22. Country stars performing 8 p.m. shows during the fair’s run are Casey James (Sept. 22), Sara Evans (Sept. 26), Thompson Square (Sept. 27), Colt Ford (Sept. 28) and Mark Wills (Sept. 29). A pair of flower shows bloom Sept. 25 and 30. Admission specials take place on specific days.
4-11 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 4 p.m.-midnight Fridays; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturdays; 12:30-10 p.m. Sundays. Sept. 20-30. $7; free ages 10 and younger; $3 parking. Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. 770-528-8989, www.northgeorgiastatefair.com.
CUMMING
Cumming Country Fair and Festival at Cumming Fairgrounds
With its midway aglow and notable music headliners, the Cumming Country Fair hopes to deliver its twang with a bang. Those who came last year will notice some new rides. X-Factory, a revolving gondola with a jet fountain feature, may be a highlight. Drew Expositions, which provides the carnival rides, fires up the Georgia Mountain Cable Lift, which runs nearly the length of the venue. If you missed the Seattle Wheel and other rides and specialty shows at the North Georgia State Fair, some will be at this event, too. The BMX, chain saw art, and trained horse and alligator shows are among the ones coming to Cumming. The soundtrack begins Oct. 5 with local artist Chris Cauley (7 p.m.) and country act Gloriana (8:30 p.m.). The Oct. 9 schedule boasts the country rock punch of Confederate Railroad (7 p.m.) and The Kentucky Headhunters (8:30 p.m.). The Charlie Daniels Band rosins up its bow 8 p.m. Oct. 11. Rodeo action courtesy of the American BullRiders Tour kicks up some dirt 8 p.m. and 6 p.m. Oct. 13 and 14, respectively. The fair’s Heritage Village spotlights an array of vintage-style services such as an art deco barbershop and a cider press. Native American tradition comes to life in the Indian Village, with music, dance, storytelling and exhibits. On Oct. 10 Marvel superheroes, including Iron Man and Captain America, will be meeting fans at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Discounts and deals on admission take place periodically.
4-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 4 p.m.-midnight Fridays; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturdays; 12:30-9 p.m. Sundays. Oct. 4-14. $7; $3 ages 5-18; free ages 4 and younger; $3 parking. Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming. 770-781-3491, www.cummingfair.net.
