THE BALLOON MAN

North Georgia State Fair to debut new roller coaster

The North Georgia State Fair begins Thursday and will run through Oct. 2 at Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta.

by Marcus E. Howardmailto:Howardmhoward@mdjonline.com

The Marietta Daily Journal

September 19, 2011

MARIETTA — The 79th annual North Georgia State Fair, presented by Superior Plumbing, begins Thursday and will run through Oct. 2 at Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta.
The fair, among the largest in metro Atlanta, attracts nearly 300,000 people every year and features live music, free attractions and shows, farm animals, flower shows, blue-ribbon competitions, local entertainment, and of course, delicious food.
This year, the fair is debuting the Wildcat Rollercoaster measuring 215 feet long, 75 feet deep and 60 feet high, in addition to more than 40 other amusement rides at the fair.
“We’ll be only one of only two fairs in the country that have a rollercoaster of this size,” said fair spokesman Tod Miller. “We really think it’s going to make us stand out, and we really believe it’s going to take our fair to the next level.”
Amanda Brereton of Mableton, and son Daniel, 3, feed a camel in one of the animal display tents at the North Georgia State Fair last year. On Mondays through Thursdays, fair hours are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Fridays, hours are 4 p.m. to midnight. On Saturdays, hours are 10 a.m. to midnight. On Sundays, hours are 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fair admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students ages 7 to 18, and free for children 6 and younger. Ride tickets are $1 each. Parking is $3. Bulk packs of 22 tickets for $20, or 55 tickets for $50, are available.
Discount admission and ride tickets, including $2.50 for adults, $1.25 for students and 22 ride tickets for $11, will be available at all metro Atlanta Walgreens drug stores through Friday.
“In these times with the economy, we actually have the cheapest prices ever for the fair,” Miller said.
Among popular attractions returning this year are the K-9’s in Flight, Oscar the Robot, Brian Ruth the Master of the Chainsaw, and Wit Carson’s Petting Zoo and Pony Rides.
New attractions include Kachunga and the Alligator Show in which Kachunga steps into a pool with a 9-foot alligator. Tammy Harris Barton, a hypnotist, will take willing volunteers on a journey of the mind. And the Keith King Bike and Stunt Show will showcase high-flying BMX stunts.