THE BALLOON MAN

All's Fair: Music, rides, games filling the fairgrounds 



A group of girls enjoy the Rock ’N’ Roll ride at the Flagler County Fair Wednesday. The fair continues until Sunday. (News-Tribune | David Massey) 
from: news-journalonline.com
By Patrick Appolonia, CORRESPONDENT 
April 7, 2012
Those who want to be a part of the onstage entertainment at the Flagler County Fair & Youth Show -- and take a shot at winning $250 -- get their chance tonight on the fair stage with a karaoke contest beginning at 6 p.m. 


Penny Buckles, treasurer of the Flagler County Fair & Youth Show Inc., organizers of the fair, said the karaoke contest was one of the new events at the fair. 


The midway also features bigger rides, with a new vendor this year, Buckles said, in an effort to appeal to teens and other older fair goers. 


Those looking for classic rides need not worry as favorites like the Himalaya and the Scrambler still remain an essential addition. 

 

There are also a number of attractions for younger fairgoers who want to get up close and personal with miniature horses, donkeys and goats inside the Kids Zone petting zoo. This new addition features interactive exhibits such as the Milkable Cow, where youngsters can get the experience of dairy farming. The exhibit is on loan from the state fair. 


Entertainment for the weekend includes the Northeast Florida Dance Academy and 3Nmotion Dance Studio today. 


On Sunday, youngsters can participate in an Easter egg hunt. Musical entertainment Sunday will be the Cajun/zydeco band Porchdogs. 


Those who come with an appetite won't be disappointed. There are an array of food vendors featuring standard fair foods like hamburgers, lemonade and funnel cakes and some new additions, like deep-fried Oreo cookies. 


The fair continues today from noon to midnight and from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Gate admission is $5 for adults today and $3 on Sunday. Children under 12 are free. 


Another interactive exhibit, "Farmer for a Day," offers youth the chance to pick vegetables from a garden and put them in a basket.

The fair's educational mission extends to what has always been the heart of most county fairs -- livestock shows. 


"That's why we have the livestock program, for the kids, and the exhibits because it's all educational," Buckles said. 


This year the annual livestock show takes place today and Thursday and the livestock auction is Friday. 


While midway rides and foot-long corn dogs may draw some to the fair, for 4-H and FFA members, the livestock auction is the highlight of the event. 


"What happens is the kids are raising animals for their college funds," Buckles said. 


The fair organization offers a scholarship program as well, she added. 


Buckles said with so many events going on in Flagler County this time of year, and with the Easter holiday this weekend, a lot of effort went into setting up the fair. 


"I try to keep everyone's interest," she said. "We have a Cajun Zydeco band, which is real popular. And then we have, for the first time ever, a karaoke contest on Saturday." 


Buckles said she hopes the addition of karaoke brings people to the fair. 


"Karaoke is really popular here," she said. "I'm hoping that draws a good crowd." 


In addition to the educational and entertainment value the fair provides, it also helps promote local tourism efforts, said Georgia Turner, vice president of tourism development at the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates. 


"The more we have to do here the better," Turner said. "It's just amazing from a county this size how much we have to do." 


Turner said the wide range of events on the calendar, like the county fair, paint a positive picture for potential visitors. 


"It makes it look like a vibrant place to visit," she said. 


The Flagler County Fair & Youth Show begins tonight and runs through Sunday. More information is available online at flaglercountyfair.com