There's no place like the fair
By Ken Burger
A little girl is riding on her daddy's shoulders, eyes ablaze as they approach the flashing neon world that is the Coastal Carolina Fair.
So much to see. So little time.
First you must inhale the essence of the fair, those fertile aromas that rise from the horses in the rodeo pen, the elephant and camels, the donkeys in the petting zoo.
It all mixes so well with those from the cows and goats in the agricultural building.
Photo Gallery
Coastal Carolina Fair
Workers are preparing for the 53rd Coastal Carolina Fair, which opens on Thursday at 3 p.m.
Video
Coastal Carolina Fair Food
The Post and Courier's Teresa Taylor and Brenda Rindge critique some of the fair's most unique offerings.
From the moment you walk in your senses are under assault. There are bright lights from the Ferris wheel and all those spinning rides that leave you weak-kneed and wobbly when you try to walk away.
They're all just a blur in the background, distractions that come from every direction at once. A helicopter swooping overhead, loud music blaring from every attraction, and the ubiquitous screams of children stimulated by sugar and excitement.
Culinary concoctions
And there's food, lots of food. Walking down the midway, you're immersed in the best and worst culinary concoctions known to man.
Cotton candy, cheese fries, chili fries, fried bologna, deep-fried MoonPies, BBQ, sausages, hot dogs, elephant ears, fried turkey legs, deep-fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, funnel cakes, candy apples, roasted corn, egg rolls, calzones, pizzas, blooming onions, cheese sticks, peanuts, corn dogs and candy by the pound.
Once you've consumed all that, you're ready to ride the rides, play the games and witness things you can find only at the fair.
Like the world's smallest horse or the 300-pound snake. Then there are games of skill, games of luck, dancing girls and the house of mirrors. How about a psychic reading for only $3?
Or you could listen to Percy Sledge sing "When A Man Loves A Woman" as you dance in the aisle with your sweetheart.
Best first date
Because fairs aren't just for kids. Going to the fair is probably the best first date a couple could ever have.
Photo Gallery
Coastal Carolina Fair Opening Day
The Exchange Club's Coastal Carolina Fair opened its gates Thursday.
There's nothing like taking those silly pictures you'll keep for a lifetime, or trying to toss a basketball through a tiny rim, or a ball through the eyes in a smiley face, or acting silly on the bumper cars.
But the best thing about the fair is that people are smiling.
Where else can you pet a Brahman bull, purchase cheap jewelry, get hypnotized, buy T-shirts and talk to beekeepers and taxidermists in the same place? There's even a group called the Charleston Rabbit Breeders Association. How hard can that job be?
In between exhibits, you can play the game of trying to distinguish the pickpockets from the undercover cops. Funny how they have a knack for finding each other in a crowd.
Which is a skill you wish you had when you're walking around the parking lot, lost, trying to remember where you parked your car, with a sleepy little girl on your shoulders.
Coastal Carolina Fair Calendar
The Coastal Carolina Fair runs through Saturday at the Exchange Park on U.S. Highway 78 in Ladson. Parking is free. Admission at the gate is $5 for children 6 to 12 and $8 for adults, and includes entertainment. Ride tickets and hand stamps are extra.
Photo Gallery
Coastal Carolina Fair Sunday
Warm weather and clear skies brought out crowds to enjoy the food, rides and exhibits at the Coastal Carolina Fair on Sunday.
Here is a schedule of events for today. For the complete schedule, visit postandcourier.com/fairschedule.
Gate Hours: 3-9 p.m.
4 & 6:30 P.M.: Big Cat Encounter, Gazebo Lawn
5 & 7:30 P.M.: Terrance B's Hypnotist Show, Gazebo
5:30 P.M.: Magnolia Dance Studio, Parkway
6 p.m.: C-3 Pearls Dance Team, Parkway
6:30 P.M.: Carolina Dancers, Parkway
7 p.m.: Professional Rodeo Bull Riding Finals, Arena
7:30 P.M.: Wranglers Rock'n Country, Parkway
8 p.m.: Talent Search, Parkway
8:45 P.M.: Fireworks
9 p.m.: Neal McCoy, Lakefront
Reach Ken Burger at kburger@postandcourier.com or 937-5598. Read previous columns by Ken Burger here.
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