By Staff
GETTING READY Len McRae, right, organizer of the Queen City State Fair, looks on as Festus Thompson, an employee of Tip Top Shows Inc., sets up the carousel. The fair opens Monday at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center for a seven day run. Photo by Penny Randall/The Meridian Star
By Penny Randall/The Meridian Star
Sept. 28, 2001
Can you taste the cotton candy, corn dogs and candied apples? Are you willing to get a little queasy on the ferris wheel, bumper cars and the Zipper? Then get ready for the Queen City State Fair.
The fair opens in Meridian on Monday for a seven-day run at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center.
Organizer Len McRae, of Eventz Inc., is spearheading the event, along with the Queen City Fair Association. "The association is group of people that I called upon to help get the fair established," McRae said.
Billed as "A New Family Fun Tradition," the event will have something for all ages.
Children's events include three daily shows featuring Grandpa Crachett, a positive message puppet show, and a petting zoo, sponsored by Riley Hospital. Crowd favorites may include the Log Hoggers, who will carve with chain saws three times daily, and a NASCAR simulator, which will be open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Other events include the Bull Bash, which is basically the bull riding part of a rodeo, on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. And, don't miss the three daily runnings of the Banana Derby monkeys dressed as jockeys riding ponies.
Monday is the grand opening of the fair, featuring Coke/School Day. Fair-goers can turn in a 20-ounce or 2-liter label from any Coke product in exchange for one free fair ride.
Nightly entertainment includes Super Stop sponsored concerts "The Waiting" on Wednesday at 7 p.m., and T. Graham Brown, who will perform Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday nights will feature Midnight Madness beginning at 10 p.m., when $12 arm bands will entitle fair-goers to unlimited rides.
Saturday events include the 4-H Livestock Display and Competition, and with the Youth Talent Competition, which begins at noon. Awards will be presented in four ages categories Pee Wee (ages 3-6), Junior (ages 7-10), Teen (ages 11-15) and Senior (ages 16-21).
McRae is already thinking of what he can do next year. "My goal is to build the fair each year. I want to do this for 20 more years," he said.
General admission is $5. Rides, food and activities are priced individually.
Penny Randall is an editorial assistant at The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3216, or e-mail her at prandall@themeridianstar.com.
Fair schedule:
Monday
Grand opening 3 p.m.
Free gate admission
3 p.m.-5 p.m.
School Day
Gates close 10 p.m.
Tuesday
Gates open 3 p.m.
Military Day
Bull Bash, 6:30 p.m.
Gates close 10 p.m.
Wednesday
Gates open 3 p.m.
Super Stop sponsored concert "The Waiting"
(contemporary Christian band), 7 p.m.
Church Youth Group Night
Gates close 10 p.m.
Thursday
Gates open 3 p.m.
Super Stop Day
T. Graham Brown (country), 6:30 p.m.
Gates close 10 p.m.
Friday
Gates open 3 p.m.
Midnight Madness
10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Gates close 2 a.m.
Saturday
Gates open noon
Midnight Madness
Youth Talent/Dance Competition
4-H Livestock Competition
Gates close 1 a.m.
Sunday
Gates open noon
Gates open 6 p.m.