Deep-fried Twinkies, funnel cakes and clouds of cotton candy. Ferris wheels, live music, pig races. It’s fall and fairs across metro Atlanta promise to entertain you, wow your taste buds and maybe even take you back to your childhood.
North Georgia State Fair
At this event, which started Thursday and stretches through Oct. 2 at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta, nearly 300,000 fairgoers from metro Atlanta and beyond can check out pig races, a petting barn, and Brian Ruth “Master of the Chainsaw” — who will be back to transform raw logs into true works of art with only a chainsaw. New live shows include “Wolves of the World,” presenting a whole pack performing right before your eyes. The Georgia Lottery Concert Series under the covered arena includes: Audio Adrenaline with Seventh Time Down today; Granger Smith on Saturday; and Scotty McCreery with Zach Seabaugh on Sept. 28.
4-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 4 p.m.-midnight Fridays; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturdays; 12:30-10 p.m. Sundays. Regular tickets at the gate: $7 for adults; children 10 and under free. Ride tickets are extra. Parking is $3. For unlimited ride specials, other daily specials, and a complete lineup of concerts and other activities, go to www.northgeorgiastatefair.com. Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road S.W., Marietta. 770-528-8989.
Gwinnett County Fair
Already underway, this fair continuing through Sunday is one of the rare fairs that still offers livestock events with the music and rides along with soaring BMX bikes.
5-10 p.m. exhibit hall and 5-11 p.m. carnival, Friday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. exhibit hall and 11 a.m.-midnight carnival, Saturday; and 1-9 p.m. exhibit hall and 1-10 p.m. carnival, Sunday. $2-$7; children 5 and under free. Ride tickets are extra. Parking free. Special ticket prices and other deals, www.gwinnettcountyfair.com. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 770-963-6522.
Georgia State Fair in Hampton
From juggling and trapeze acts to monkey jockeys, the Georgia State Fair (Sept. 30-Oct. 9) at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, just south of Atlanta, also offers a wide array of fun for the family. First, about those monkey jockeys: Featuring Capuchin monkeys riding dogs like jockeys, the banana derby is a favorite attraction. Other attractions include live music, pig races and several rides.
4 p.m.-midnight Sept. 30 and Oct. 7; 10 a.m.-midnight Oct. 1 and Oct. 8; noon-10 p.m. Oct. 2 and Oct. 9; 4-10 p.m. Oct. 3-6; $5-$12; children 4 and under free. $20-$25 wristbands for unlimited rides. Free parking. Special ticket prices and other deals online at www.georgiastatefair.org. Georgia State Fair at Atlanta Motor Speedway, 1500 Tara Place, Hampton. 1-866-993-2477.
Georgia National Fair
The state-sponsored Georgia National Fair in Perry, running Oct. 6-16, offers livestock and horse shows, rides, street entertainers, and nightly fireworks. There are several free evening concerts, Tadpole the clown, live bluegrass and a comedy pirate show. On Oct. 10, “Patriotic Day,” members of the military and their family members can get free admission.
3-10 p.m. Oct. 6; 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 7-16. $6-$10; children 10 and under free (with a paying adult). Ride tickets are extra. Parking free. The fairgrounds are between exits 134 and 135 of I-75. 1-800-987-3247 (Georgia only). www.georgianationalfair.com/.
Cumming Country Fair and Festival
The Cumming Fairgrounds, home of the “Cumming Country Fair and Festival,” will get underway on Oct. 6 and will continue until Oct. 16. The fair hosts many events including a magical poodle show, Oscar the Robot and motorcycle stunts. Ages 11 and up $7; 10 and under free. Hours: 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m.-midnight Friday; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday; 12:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
