It's fair time in the Lowcountry

Many people can't wait to get to the fair. Officials are asking those people to try.

The 53rd annual Coastal Carolina Fair gets started today in Ladson, and with it comes the congestion created by thousands of people flooding U.S. Highway 78 and College Park Road to get to the rides, exhibits and entertainment. Officials aren't advocating that visitors stay away from the fair. They want them to realize that once they're in the car, they need to have patience as they navigate toward the parking entrances.

"People who are going to the fair and coming home from work should allow extra time and approach the area with patience," said Lance Cpl. Bob Beres of the S.C. Highway Patrol. "Expect delays and congestion."

Joe Bolchoz, public relations chairman for the Coastal Carolina Fair, said anywhere from 8,000 to 20,000 people will visit the fair on a weeknight "depending on the entertainer of any given night."

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the attendance can shoot up to as many as 50,000 for the day.

"If they can find a way to do it, I suggest to come on a weekday," he said.

Beres said 15-20 Highway Patrol officers will direct traffic during fair hours. In addition to the troopers who are guiding cars onto the fairgrounds, there will be others controlling the traffic lights around the area to allow for the best flow possible.

In addition to patience, Beres suggests drivers exercise extra caution when they find themselves in heavy congestion.

"Allow more distance for the vehicle in front of you for sudden stops," he said. "Everyone's trying to get there at one time, so (the top problem) is definitely trying to follow too closely, making it harder to react to sudden stops or when people try to change lanes."

Beres also wanted to remind drivers that if they see something illegal or another vehicle broken down, they can dial *HP on their cell phones to reach the highway patrol dispatcher.

Bolchoz said fair traffic on weeknights seems to be at its worst 6:30-7 p.m. On Saturday, the heaviest traffic is in the late afternoon, and there's no particularly bad time on Sunday.

Once on the grounds, fairgoers are guided through the parking lot by staffers whose only job is to get each car efficiently settled into one of about 10,000 spaces.

"We're very proud of how we get people parked," Bolchoz said. "We can direct traffic to other gates when we have backups.

"We tell people to be patient. We'll get you in here."

Reach Bill Henley at 937-5433 or bhenley@postandcourier.com.