USC students enjoyed an evening of rides, games and greasy food at the annual South Carolina State Fair on Monday.
The 12 day event, which takes place at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia every year, offered a free day to all college students with a valid student ID.
Third-year computer information systems student Matthew Hyman was one of many USC students who took advantage of the discount.
“Just friends, just invites, and the free day for USC really, really caught my eye. Cause if anything’s free, it’s for me,” he said. “I like to play games. I don’t win any games, but I love to play games."
Food is another big attraction. Everyone falls in love with the interesting snack food, from foot-long corn dogs, to mac and cheese burgers and a wide variety of sweet treats.
“I’m excited to have the fried Oreos later, they’re my favorite,” Caroline Leonard, a second-year early childhood education student, said.
In addition to a new roller coaster this year, performers including Chris Young, TobyMac and Sabrina Carpenter are all making appearances on the Pepsi Grandstand stage.
In addition to rides, the fair is also home to a variety of agricultural displays. To fit this year’s theme, “Flowering Fun,” there will be a number of flower exhibits showcasing unique horticulture and flowering arrangements from throughout the state.
While many students have never been to the State Fair before, some, like first-year art education student Jessica Lane, have been coming for years with their families.
“I live here, so I’ve been here a lot," Lane said. “[I like the] tradition, the nice weather, having fun with friends, just something to do, honestly.”
First-year political science student Alex Pruitt, another long time attendee, was very impressed by the fair this year.
“I come every year ... I get to come with people from USC finally. [This year is] the best one I’ve been to," Pruitt said.