But that doesn’t mean we can’t have any fun.
Instead, quite the opposite is true as the Georgia National Fair opens today. And at prices that are unaffected by the ever-changing economy.
“Our prices are unchanged,” said Michele Treptow, Georgia National Fair director of communications. “So people can enjoy this year’s fair at last year’s prices.”
Those prices include $4 admission for adults to today’s sneak peek and free admission throughout the day for accompanied children 10 and younger.
Sneak peek hours are 3 p.m.-10 p.m. today at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, located at 401 Larry Walker Parkway.
The fair’s unchanged prices aren’t just limited to today. Starting Friday, regular admission will be $8 a day for adults, which includes a free same-day re-entry with hand stamp. Accompanied children 10 and under will still be admitted free. Group rates and additional discounts will be available.
Starting Friday, fair gates will be open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
In addition to return visitors, Treptow hopes the Georgia National Fair attracts Georgians whose vacation plans may have been curbed by this year’s soaring gas prices.
“All summer long, we’ve heard of people taking staycations,” she said. “At the Georgia National Fair, we’re inviting everyone to take a faircation.”
With that concept in mind, the 19th annual Perry event will offer a wide range of activities and attractions, including a waffle-eating contest, racing pigs, Millie the Monkey, a stilt walker, magicians, hypnotists, jugglers, a marionette show, circus acts, a petting zoo, musical entertainment, and, of course, midway rides.
And don’t forget the concerts. Hit-making country music recording artists Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan will take to the Reaves Arena stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25.
On Sunday, .38 Special and Molly Hatchet perform at 4 p.m. Admission is $20.
Looking ahead to the following weekend, Three Days Grace with Modern Skirts will hit the Reaves Arena stage at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 11. Tickets are $25.
For the last day of the fair, hot country duo Sugarland, along with the Zac Brown Band, will perform to a sold-out audience at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12.
Additional entertainment at the fair includes Mustang Sally, the Drive Home, Elvis impersonator Kraig Parker, the Alabama Blues Brothers, Fishing Friendzy, the Dennis Lee Show, Guitar Gus and His Lucky Horse “Shoo,” West Texas Rattlesnake Show and Kidbucks Game Show.
The Georgia National Fair will also host competitions in livestock, agriculture, home and fine arts, showing horses, 4-H and Future Farmers of America categories and the 2009 Fair Bear Writing Contest.
A laser and fireworks show will cap off each day of the fair at 9 p.m.
With such variety, Treptow believes the fair will have something for everyone, making it an ideal family-friendly “faircation.”
“It has always been geared toward the family,” she said.
Started in 1990, the Georgia National Fair has won 69 awards from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions. It has also received accolades from Southern Living magazine and the Southeast Tourism Society.
Regardless of the state of our economy, that experience continues to draw crowds as last year a record-setting 443,351 people visited the annual fair.
For more information, call (478) 987-3247 or 800-987-3247, or visit www.georgianationalfair.com.
