The Daily Gamecock

PHOTOS: Moments from the 2022 South Carolina State Fair

The South Carolina State Fair is a 12-day event hosted by the State Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina. The fair features a variety of rides, games and food for patrons to enjoy. This year’s SC State Fair arrived in Columbia on Oct. 12 and closed on Oct. 22, 2022. Photos captured by Calista Pushman | The Daily Gamecock and Xavier Martin | The Daily Gamecock.

A young boy reaches for a giant pink gorilla hanging outside one of the many carnival games featured at the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 21, 2022. The water ballon popping game awards animal and popular culture themed prizes to individuals who can win the game.
A young boy reaches for a giant pink gorilla hanging outside one of the many carnival games featured at the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 21, 2022. The water ballon popping game awards animal and popular culture themed prizes to individuals who can win the game.
The Super Himalaya, a ride that features loud music and a wavy, speedy spinning motion, sits in the fairgrounds on Oct. 23, 2022. The structure moves riders forward and backwards at high speeds, making fair attendees dizzy and in risk of losing their lunch. 
The Super Himalaya, a ride that features loud music and a wavy, speedy spinning motion, sits in the fairgrounds on Oct. 23, 2022. The structure moves riders forward and backwards at high speeds, making fair attendees dizzy and in risk of losing their lunch. 
The little girl, Kali, is guided by her mother, Baray, in feeding the animals beyond the fence at the South Carolina State Fair petting zoo on Oct. 18, 2022. The petting zoo provides animals like goats and camels for fair attendees to feed and interact with. 
The little girl, Kali, is guided by her mother, Baray, in feeding the animals beyond the fence at the South Carolina State Fair petting zoo on Oct. 18, 2022. The petting zoo provides animals like goats and camels for fair attendees to feed and interact with. 
As the sun went down, families made their way across a bridge that was just one part of a bigger jungle gym. While some kids were found speeding across the bridge, this family took their time, hand in hand, to complete the course on Oct. 18, 2022. 
As the sun went down, families made their way across a bridge that was just one part of a bigger jungle gym. While some kids were found speeding across the bridge, this family took their time, hand in hand, to complete the course on Oct. 18, 2022. 
A young girl accompanied by her family enjoys the South Carolina State Fair's petting zoo on Oct. 18, 2022. Over the primary colored fence were animals that brought about excited reactions like hers.
A young girl accompanied by her family enjoys the South Carolina State Fair's petting zoo on Oct. 18, 2022. Over the primary colored fence were animals that brought about excited reactions like hers.
This ride, called The Screamer, takes riders in loops, starting with a slow swing through the air before building into a faster and longer swing taking the fair attendee around the large structure within seconds. This ride was one of many featured at the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 23, 2022. 
This ride, called The Screamer, takes riders in loops, starting with a slow swing through the air before building into a faster and longer swing taking the fair attendee around the large structure within seconds. This ride was one of many featured at the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 23, 2022. 
A carney collects money from a fair attendee before starting their water gun game on Oct. 21, 2022. The South Carolina State Fair is known for its vast selection of carnival games for patrons to play.
A carney collects money from a fair attendee before starting their water gun game on Oct. 21, 2022. The South Carolina State Fair is known for its vast selection of carnival games for patrons to play.
An elderly couple takes in the many lights, sounds and smells from one of the Skyride gondolas at the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 20, 2022. The state fair took place in Columbia, S.C. from Oct. 12-23, 2022.
An elderly couple takes in the many lights, sounds and smells from one of the Skyride gondolas at the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 20, 2022. The state fair took place in Columbia, S.C. from Oct. 12-23, 2022.
Columbia residents 2-year-old Abby Malizia (on left) and her father, 40-year-old Kevin Malizia (on right) ride a merry-go-round at the South Carolina State Fair on Oct.18, 2022. The S.C. State Fair features a variety of both high-energy and relaxing rides for fair attendees of all ages.
Columbia residents 2-year-old Abby Malizia (on left) and her father, 40-year-old Kevin Malizia (on right) ride a merry-go-round at the South Carolina State Fair on Oct.18, 2022. The S.C. State Fair features a variety of both high-energy and relaxing rides for fair attendees of all ages.
Brittany Burnett, a 39-year-old Lexington resident, feeds one of the camels at the South Carolina State Fair petting zoo on Oct. 18, 2022. The S.C. State Fair petting zoo is a popular attraction for animal lovers, small children and several other members of the Columbia community.
Brittany Burnett, a 39-year-old Lexington resident, feeds one of the camels at the South Carolina State Fair petting zoo on Oct. 18, 2022. The S.C. State Fair petting zoo is a popular attraction for animal lovers, small children and several other members of the Columbia community.
The skyline of the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 18, 2022. The state fair took place in Columbia, S.C. from Oct. 12-23, 2022.
The skyline of the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 18, 2022. The state fair took place in Columbia, S.C. from Oct. 12-23, 2022.
Arlen Burnett, a 6-year-old Lexington resident, feeds a goat at the South Carolina State Fair petting zoo on Oct. 18, 2022. The S.C. State Fair petting zoo is a popular attraction amongst animal lovers, small children and many other members of the Columbia community.  
Arlen Burnett, a 6-year-old Lexington resident, feeds a goat at the South Carolina State Fair petting zoo on Oct. 18, 2022. The S.C. State Fair petting zoo is a popular attraction amongst animal lovers, small children and many other members of the Columbia community.  
Trapeze artist Disharmony looks out to the crowd as she descends towards the middle of the circus during her act at the South Carolina State Fair circus on Oct. 18, 2022. The circus and state fair took place from Oct. 12-23. 2022.
Trapeze artist Disharmony looks out to the crowd as she descends towards the middle of the circus during her act at the South Carolina State Fair circus on Oct. 18, 2022. The circus and state fair took place from Oct. 12-23. 2022.
The Starship Area 51 ride at the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 21, 2022. The human-centrifuge is one of the many thrill-rides featured at the state fair that took place from Oct. 12-23, 2022.
The Starship Area 51 ride at the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 21, 2022. The human-centrifuge is one of the many thrill-rides featured at the state fair that took place from Oct. 12-23, 2022.