The magic of the fair

There's just something magical about eating three pieces of pizza, some onion rings and a deep-fried Snickers bar and then riding a roller coaster for 20 minutes while screaming at the top of your lungs until finally, on top of the world, you ... throw up all of it.

But that's the fair. And you love it.

That's because it's the one time of year when kids can be kids and adults can be, well, they can be kids, too. Today marks the beginning of the 53rd annual Coastal Carolina Fair at the Exchange Park in Ladson.

For those of you scoring at home, that's 53 years of wild animals, insane rides and crazy performers. And this year's installment is no different, featuring everything from petting zoos to a live honey bee exhibit, live entertainment and, of course, lots of stomach-churning rides. Sixty-six of them to be exact.

So grab the kids (and Pepto Bismol) and check out all the fair has to offer. Such as ...

The performers

Headlining this year's fair are tons of time-tested and up-and-coming artists. With names such as Paul Revere & The Raiders, James Gregory, Percy Sledge, Tracy Byrd, Julianne Hough, Jake Owen and the Chairmen of the Board, there is something for everyone.

But the best part about all the music at the fair is your admission is your ticket. There is no second charge.

Some of the other performers worth noting are Kay Rosaire's Big Cat Encounter (an eighth-generation circus performer trying to not get eaten by lots of lions and tigers), hypnotist Terrance B. (He also does corporate functions if you'd like to hypnotize your boss.), Carl Brunson and his One-Man Band and nightly fireworks displays over the lake. Some other everyday events include the duck slide and embryology exhibits.

The rides

With 66 rides to choose from, whether you are a wimp or a maniac, there's one for you.

According to Coastal Carolina Fair spokesman Joe Bolchoz, some of the Midway rides you can expect to make you queasy are "The Extreme," "The Fireball," "The Swinger" (which goes up seven stories in the air while spinning you around) and a 13-story-drop tower.

As far as the kiddies go, there are 28 rides just for them (as well as faint-of-heart adults). Tried-and-true favorites such as the "Dragon Wagon" will be joined by the "Frog Leaper," three Ferris wheels and two carousels.

The food

In between watching magic shows, listening to music, riding roller coasters, playing carnival games, getting hypnotized and praying that Miss Kay doesn't get attacked by her tigers, be sure to check out one of the many vendors selling all sorts of delicious snacks that most certainly would make the surgeon general nervous.

From hot dogs to elephant ears and deep-fried anything, if there's one thing the fair is best known for, besides amusement rides and sneaky clowns that appear out of thin air, it's the food.

What you need to know

The 53rd Coastal Carolina Fair begins today and runs through Nov. 7 at the Exchange Park in Ladson. Call 572-3161 for directions.

Gate Hours

3-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday

3-11 p.m. Friday

Noon-11 p.m. Saturdays

Noon-9 p.m. Sunday

Seniors 60 and over are admitted free on Nov. 4. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., special activities are planned. The Midway opens at 3 p.m.

Ticket Prices

Through Wednesday, advance tickets are available at the fairgrounds, the Naval Weapons Station, the Air Force Base and all Piggly Wiggly locations.

Advance gate tickets are $4 or three Greenbax books for children 6 to 12 and $6 or four Greenbax books for adults. (Children 5 and under are admitted free.)

Advance hand stamp tickets and coupon books are $17 or 11 1/4 Greenbax books (available only at Piggly Wiggly locations).

Starting Thursday, regular-price tickets are available at the fair and at Piggly Wiggly.

Regular price tickets are $5 for ages 6 to 12 and $8 for adults or four books of Greenbax for children and five for adults.

Handstamps and coupon books are $20 or 13 1/4 Greenbax books (only at Piggly Wiggly).

If you go

WHAT: 53rd annual Coastal Carolina Fair.

WHERE: Exchange Park, Ladson.

WHEN: Today-Nov. 7.

HOURS: 3-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 3-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon- 9 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 4, seniors only, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.).

TICKETS: Adults, $8; children ages 6-12, $5; children ages 5 and younger, free. Ride tickets are $20 for a book of 20 or $20 for a hand stamp to ride all day.

Coastal Carolina Fair schedule

TODAY

Gate hours: 3-9 p.m.

4 p.m.: Talent Search, Parkway

4 & 6:30 P.M.: Big Cat Encounter, Gazebo Lawn

4:30 p.m.: Stratford High School Chorus, Parkway

5 p.m.: CCF Championship Horse Show, Arena

5 p.m.: Leonard School of Music Jazz One and Jazz Two, Parkway

5 & 7:30 P.M.: Terrance B's Hypnotist Show, Gazebo

6 p.m.: 4H Pizza Pizzazz Contest, Creative Arts Bldg.

6:30 p.m.: Carolina Dancers, Parkway

7 p.m.: Stall High School Prime Time and Ellusion, Parkway

7:30 p.m.: Wranglers Rock'n Country, Parkway

7:30 p.m.: Paul Revere & the Raiders, Lakefront

8 p.m.: Turn Signals, Parkway

8:45 p.m.: Fireworks

FRIDAY

Gate Hours: 3-11 p.m.

3:30 p.m.: Team Martial Arts, Parkway

5 & 7:30 p.m.: Terrance B's Hypnotist Show, Gazebo

4 & 6:30 p.m.: Big Cat Encounter, Gazebo Lawn

4:30 p.m. : Only Imagine Dance Studio, Parkway

5 p.m.: The Planet Dancers Dance Team, Parkway

5:30 p.m.: Knightsville Elementary Dancers, Parkway

6 p.m.: 4H Egg Contest, Creative Arts Bldg.

6 p.m.: Step 2 It Performance Center, Parkway

6:30 p.m.: Carolina Dancers, Parkway

7 & 9 p.m.: Beginners Riding Clinic, Arena

7 p.m.: Charleston Martial Arts, Parkway

7:30 p.m.: All That Jazz, Parkway

8 p.m.: College Park Middle School Chorus, Parkway

9 p.m.: Talent Search, Parkway

9 p.m.: James Gregory, Lakefront

9:30 p.m.: The Explorers Club Band, Parkway

10 p.m.: Fireworks

SATURDAY

Gate Hours: Noon-11 p.m.

All Day: 4H Open Horse Show, Arena

1 p.m.: Princess Pageant, Parkway

1 p.m.: 4H Kooky Cookie Cook-Off (Junior), Creative Arts Bldg.

1:45 p.m.: 4H Pumpkin Activities, Creative Arts Bldg.

2 p.m.: C-3 All-Star Cheerleaders, Parkway

2, 4:30, 7:30 P.m.: Big Cat Encounter, Gazebo Lawn

2:30 p.m.: Happy Feet, Parkway

3 p.m.: The German Connection Band, Parkway

3, 6, 8:30 p.m.: Terrance B's Hypnotist Show, Gazebo

3:15 p.m.: Pumpkin Decorating, ages 9-11

4 p.m.: Sweetwater Cloggers, Parkway

4:30 p.m.: Leonard School of Music Group Ensemble, Parkway

5:30 p.m.: Wranglers Rock'n Country, Parkway

5:30 p.m.: 4H Rice-N-Easy Contest, Creative Arts Bldg.

6 p.m.: Charleston Kennel Club, Parkway

6:30 p.m.: Carolina Dancers, Parkway

7 p.m.: Sarabeth Cunningham, Parkway

7:30 p.m.: Talent Search, Parkway

8 p.m.: Lady Antebellum, Lakefront

8:30 p.m.: In Loving Arms Band, Parkway

10 p.m.: Fireworks

SUNDAY

Gate hours: Noon-9 p.m.

1 p.m.: Team Roping Competition, Arena

1:30, 4, 6:30 p.m.: Big Cat Encounter, Gazebo Lawn

2:30, 5, 7:30 p.m.: Terrance B's Hypnotist Show, Gazebo

3 p.m.: Preschooler Pageant 0-2 years, Parkway

4 p.m.: Preschooler Pageant: Girls ages 2 and 3, Parkway

5 p.m.: Percy Sledge, Lakefront

5 p.m.: Preschooler Pageant: Girls ages 4 and 5, Parkway

6:30 p.m.: Carolina Dancers, Parkway

7:30 p.m.: Tri-County Cheerleaders, Parkway

8 p.m.: Wranglers Rock'n Country, Parkway

8:30 p.m.: Talent Search, Parkway

8:45 p.m.: Fireworks

NOV. 2

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 p.m.: Gillian Webb: Parkway

5:30 p.m.: Revolution All Stars, Parkway

6 p.m.: Calypso Rising Belly Dancers, Parkway

6:30 p.m.: Carolina Dancers, Parkway

7 p.m.: Professional Rodeo Bull Riding, Arena

7:30 p.m.: Wranglers Rock'n Country, Parkway

8 p.m.: Talent Search, Parkway

8:45 p.m.: Fireworks

9 p.m.: Tracy Byrd, Lakefront

NOV. 3

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

NOV. 4

Gate Hours: 3-9 p.m.

(Only ages 60+ admitted 11 a.m.-3 p.m.)

11 a.m., 12:30, 1, 2:30 p.m.: Bingo Games, Food Court

11 a.m.: Berkeley Squares and Friends, Parkway

11:30 a.m.: Come Dance With Me, Parkway

12:15 p.m.: Best Legs Contest, Parkway

12:30 p.m.: Senior Fashion Show, Parkway

1 p.m.: Pet Therapy Show, Parkway

1:30 p.m.: Prize Announcements, Parkway

1:45 p.m.: Gene Brownlee Karaoke, Parkway

2:30 p.m.: Come Dance With Me, Parkway

3 p.m.: Midway opens

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.: Sarabeth Cunningham, Parkway

6 p.m.: Sigma Gamma Rho Step Team, Parkway

6:30 p.m.: Carolina Dancers, Parkway

7 & 9 p.m.: Middleton Stables Jumping Clinic, Arena

7:30 p.m.: Wranglers Rock'n Country, Parkway

7:30 p.m.: The Lettermen, Lakefront

8 p.m.: Talent Search, Parkway

8:45 p.m.: Fireworks

NOV. 5

Gate Hours: 3-9 p.m.

4 & 6:30 p.m.: Big Cat Encounter, Gazebo Lawn

4:30 p.m.: Shine Choir, Parkway

5 p.m.: Do You Enrichment Praise Dancers, Parkway

5 & 7:30 p.m.: Terrance B's Hypnotist Show, Gazebo

5:30 p.m.: College Park Middle School String

Orchestra, Parkway

6 p.m.: Susan G. Boykin Charter School, Parkway

6:30 p.m.: Carolina Dancers, Parkway

7 p.m.: Talent Search, Parkway

7 & 8 p.m.: No Feet, No Horse, Arena

7:30 p.m.: Julianne Hough, Lakefront

8 p.m.: Wranglers Rock'n Country, Parkway

8:45 p.m.: Fireworks

NOV. 6

Gate Hours: 3-11 p.m.

3:30 p.m.: Team Martial Arts, Parkway

4 p.m.: Holly Hill Roberts Middle School Chorus, Parkway

4 & 6:30 p.m.: Big Cat Encounter, Gazebo Lawn

4:30 p.m.: Elloree Elementary School Chorus, Parkway

5 p.m.: Sweetwater Cloggers, Parkway

5 & 7:30 p.m.: Terrance B's Hypnotist Show, Gazebo

5:30 p.m.: Maestro Club, Parkway

6 p.m.: CD Models and Talent, Parkway

6 & 8:15 p.m.: 4H Pizza Pizzazz Contest (Juniors), Creative Arts Bldg.

6:30 p.m.: Carolina Dancers, Parkway

7 & 9 p.m.: Barrel Racing Clinic, Arena

7:30 p.m.: The Original Loafers, Parkway

8 p.m.: Talent Search, Parkway

9 p.m.: Jake Owen, Lakefront

10 p.m.: Fireworks

NOV. 7

Gate Hours: Noon-11 p.m.

All day: CCF Gymkhana Open Horse Show, Arena

Noon: Rabbit Show, Barn

1 p.m.: Low Country Power Brass, Parkway

1 p.m.: 4H Muffin Mania Contest (Junior), Creative Arts Bldg.

2 p.m.: King Arthur Flour Baking Contest, Creative Arts Bldg.

2 p.m.: A Class Act, Parkway

2, 4:30 & 7:30 p.m.: Big Cat Encounter, Gazebo Lawn

3, 6 & 8:30 p.m.: Terrance B's Hypnotist Show, Gazebo

3 p.m.: Sweetwater Cloggers, Parkway

3:30 p.m.: Palmetto Extreme, Parkway

4:30 p.m.: Sertoma Azalea of Summerville, Parkway

4:45 p.m.: 4H Chili Cook-Off (Junior & Senior), Creative Arts Bldg.

5 p.m.: Stratford High School Orchestra, Parkway

5:30 p.m.: Westview Middle School Orchestra, Parkway

6 p.m.: Wranglers Rock'n Country, Parkway

6:30 p.m.: Carolina Dancers, Parkway

7:30 p.m.: Charleston Dance Center, Parkway

8 p.m.: Finals for the Talent Search, Parkway

8 p.m.: Chairman of the Board, Lakefront

10 p.m.: Fireworks

MORE INFO/DIRECTIONS: Call 572-3161 or visit www.coastalcarolinafair.org.