 "Photo: Preston Evans <i>The Daily Gamecock</i>")
No matter what age you’re turning, elephant ears, ferris wheel rides and giant plush teddy bears never fail to make any birthday wishes come true.
Right after school, Kim Harrison picked up her daughter, Lyric, and two of her best friends, Ashley and Hannah, at Pine Ridge Middle School and hit the road to the South Carolina State Fair to celebrate Ashley’s birthday.
“I think of them more as sisters, though,” Lyric said.
By 9 p.m., the girls had already tested their strength at the Water Shoot, where they each won a big stuffed dog, The Sizzler, The Crazy Mouse and The Tilt-A-Whirl, or the “Tilt-A-Hurl,” as Lyric called it.
“Pretty much, we stay away from the vomit-inducing rides, but the Tilt-A-Whirl was so much fun.”
Together they agreed the sand-sculpting exhibit and The Polar Express were the best attractions.
“I normally don’t get to go to the fair, but this is like the biggest reward you could ever get” Hannah said.
Founded in 1855, the state fair moved in 1904 to its present location across from Williams-Brice Stadium. Not financed for by state funds, the annual October event is now among the top 50 fairs in the United States and this year, more than 600,000 people are expected to join in the festivities.
Attending since the late 1970s, Ruth Brown traveled 120 miles to show her 3-year-old grandson, Ah’Mari, what her childhood was all about.
“There are more rides now than there used to be,” Brown said. “My favorite part is just enjoying the company of my children, the food and the train ride.”
Senior Deputies Odell Glenn and Robert Bloomingburg do everything they can to ensure the fair’s safety as security guards. Bloomingburg has dealt with gang violence and high school rivalries. Now in his third year, he continues doing it because he loves making sure the fair maintains a family friendly atmosphere.
The fair isn’t all games and food, though. Throughout the fair, American Idol winner David Cook will be headlining musical events along with Christian rocker Toby Mac and The Charlie Daniels Band.
Family-owned businesses such as Daley’s and Netterfields have been returning to the fair for decades, provided fair-goers with flavored cotton candy and homemade corn dogs.
At only $8 per person and $24 for an unlimited rides wristband, Kim Harrison will definitely bring her family and friends along for the ride next year.
“Mom doesn’t do rides, especially not the ‘vomit inducing’ ones, but I’m glad they’re having fun,” she said.
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