Food, fun galore at fair

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Coastal Carolina Fair Opening Day

The Exchange Club's Coastal Carolina Fair opened its gates Thursday.

As president of the Coastal Carolina Fair, Stuart Hanckel had several duties to perform on opening day Thursday.

He was also on a mission.

"After we cut the ribbon, I'm going straight for the fried mushrooms," he said. "I love those things."

But Hanckel had business to do before hitting the fried mushroom booth.

The fair opened in front of about 300 people waiting at Gate 1 with its usual ceremony: the Pledge of Allegiance, The Star-Spangled Banner, National Exchange Club President Claude Carmack's assurance that "fair food has no calories" and the ribbon cutting.

In addition, there was a recognition of five men in attendance who were part of the fair's 10 original organizers in 1957 -- Jim Strider, Harold Ridge, Cam Burn, Henry Berlin and Joe Cabaness -- and two living members who were not there, John Huguley and Gordon Stine.

Encouraged by Thursday's warm weather and clear skies, Exchange Club of Charleston members predicted a good run for the 10-day event.

"With the weather like this and the weather that's predicted for the next several days, we should see good crowds," said Hanckel, who is in the second year of a two-year term as fair president.

About 250,000 people attend the event each year. Weeknights usually see up to 20,000 pass through the gates, while as many as 50,000 attend on weekends.

"People come to the fair for the rides, the food and the entertainment, in that order," said spokesman Joe Bolchoz.

With that in mind, this year's fair has seven new rides among 63 total; fried carrot cake among the many other fried offerings; and headline entertainment that includes the Chairmen of the Board and Julianne Hough.

Despite the favorable weather outlook, opening day attendance was somewhat slow, according to club members working the gates. Official attendance was not available.

"Opening night is typically one of the slower nights," said Bolchoz. Depending on the weather, first-night crowds range from about 4,900 to 11,000, he said. "I don't know why. I think people think we're still going to be setting up, but everything is ready by the time we open."

COASTAL CAROLINA FAIR CALENDAR

The Coastal Carolina Fair runs through Nov. 7 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. Here is a schedule of events for today. For the complete schedule, visit the complete online fair calendar.

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

Reach Brenda Rindge at 937-5713 or at brindge@postandcourier.com.