PHOTOS: UGA photojournalism students focus on the Georgia National Fair

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PHOTOS: UGA photojournalism students focus on the Georgia National Fair

Students in the Advanced Photojournalism course at the University of Georgia spent a long day documenting the Georgia National Fair, in its 38th year, charged with not showing what it looks like, but what it means. The fair ran from Oct. 8 to Oct. 18, featuring rides, games, concerts, shows, and livestock competitions.

Fairgoers enjoy the Agrilift ride during sunset at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. The Agrilift transported passengers from the clock tower to the fair’s south entry gate. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Participants of the mutton bustin' competition pray before the event at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. Participants were children ages 4 to 8 who weighed less than 65 pounds. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Fairgoers enjoy the swing ride at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. The first Georgia National Fair was held in 1990. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Carol Robinson, from Macon, shares the pineapple from her pineapple piña colada with her daughter Kelley Robinson at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. Carol Robinson comes every year to the fair with her kids Kelley and Daniel Robinson. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Belkis Deaz waits for customers at the Perfect Confections stand at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. Deaz has worked at fairs for the past four years, traveling all around the country. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

The Strolling Piano rolls past the clock tower at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. The Strolling Piano is a fully mobile piano that rolls around the fair grounds each day. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Fairgoers walk around at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. The fair ran from Oct. 8 to Oct. 18, featuring rides, games, concerts, shows, and livestock competitions. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Jesse Dean, from Brunswick, Georgia, competes in the final round of the 2nd Annual Corn Dog Eating Competition at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. Dean won the competition for the second year in a row, finishing off a bucket of mini donuts quickest without the use of hands. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Alivia Blaton (left) chews on her corn dog next to her boyfriend Jesse Dean (middle) and competitor Cameron Perkins (right) at the corn dog eating competition at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Dean won last year's hot dog eating competition after Blanton signed him up unknowingly, so she decided to participate this year while he defended his crown. Dean won first place back-to-back years, and Perkins won second. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Brenda Rice and her grandson Sawyer Spivey from Macon take a rest at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. Rice brings her grandchildren to the fair every year. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Heavyn Garrett laughs as she rides the mechanical bull at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. This was Garrett's first year in attendance, her family drove over two hours away from Bacon County, Georgia, to spend the day at the fair. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

The sun sets at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Kylie Odom, from Arabi, Georgia, prepares her pig Shaggy for the Junior Market Swine Show at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. Odom and Shaggy placed 10th. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Richard "Richie" Thomas of Richie and the High Street Rockers swings his guitar up as he performs at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. The band formed at Boyertown High School in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, and plays originals and covers from the 1950s and '60s. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

The sun sinks below the horizon as riders of the Yo-Yo swing around at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Stilt-walkers Star Child and Richard Dalton of Stilt Circus pose for a photo in front of a Ferris wheel at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The duo are finishing their year-long tour in Georgia after traveling all over the country for different fairs. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Julian Stanley grabs his prize, an inflatable white shark, from the net at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Stanley won his prize on the high-striker game on his first attempt. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Jasmine Myers gets her throwing arm positioned to toss a ping pong ball into one of the targets at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. This is Myers' first time at the fair, and she had already won multiple prizes early in the evening. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Da'Lonee Watson closes her eyes and smiles while she gets her face painted as Disney's Minnie Mouse at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. From Athens, Georgia, this was Watson's third time at the fair. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Hudson Harris takes deep breaths as he gets ready to ride a bull at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Harris is from Lizella, Georgia, 11 miles southwest of Macon. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Huston Garden smiles as he holds on tight to a sheep at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Garden, from Monticello, Ga., won the mutton bustin' competition out of 27 kids. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Graye Long keeps her head straight as her mother, Brittany, fixes her hair before her pig showing competition at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Graye's pig's name is Tennessee, and all of her pigs are named after states. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Breyden McGowan looks up at the judge while showing his pig, Dexter, amongst the other competitors at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. His first time showing at the fair, he won fourth place in his showing. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Trinity Brown smiles as she washes Breyden McGowan's pig, Dexter, at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Brown is McGowan's agricultural teacher at Wayne County High School and helps her students show animals frequently. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Fairgoers watch the Nerveless Nocks Extreme Water Ski and Stunt Show Spectacular at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. The show features events such as a jetpack flying water circus and a water ski show. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Steven Schreck and his wife Dottie Schreck, from Cartersville, Georgia, try a sweet tea slushy at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. The Schrecks spent the day at the fair with their son David. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Al McFadden throws a prize to a participant playing the water race game at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. McFadden operated the game with Luis Martinez. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

Bruce Fonguin focuses as he rides the mechanical bull while the sun sets at the 37th annual Georgia National Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Fonguin, from Warner Robins, Georgia, has been to the fair about six times already in his life. (Wesley Webb/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

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Fairgoers enjoy the Agrilift ride during sunset at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia, on Oct. 17, 2026. The Agrilift transported passengers from the clock tower to the fair’s south entry gate. (Emily Laycock/UGA Photojournalism Workshop)

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