THE BALLOON MAN

County fair returns to town this weekend with new attractions
from---alligator.org
Samantha Black, Alligator Contributing Writer
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
The Alachua County Fair returns Friday to kick off a week of festivities.

The fair starts at 5 p.m. Friday at the Alachua County Fairgrounds, 3100 NE 39th Ave., with a concert and will run through Oct. 27.
Stephen White, CEO of Event Marketing Corporation, said he expects about 35,000 people to attend.

“It all depends on the weather,” said White, whose company is managing the fair.

This will be the fair’s second year under new management since it faced cancellation in 2010 for unpaid bills.

“All bills were paid in full by last year’s fair,” White said. “We still made a small profit last year.”

This year’s fair will have new attractions, including The Grizzly Experience Show as well as new, local performers appearing throughout the week.

White said Kachunga and the Alligator Show is “back by popular demand,” and the Talent Quest Karaoke Singing Contest will hold its prequalifications at the fair Tuesday.It will also hold the Sunburst Beauty Pageant Saturday.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for kids ages 6 to 12 and $20 for wristbands that allow unlimited rides.

“If you want to get more bang for your buck, buy a wristband in advance, and come on a Wednesday and there will be no lines,” White said.

Daniel Jennette, 20-year-old UF marketing sophomore, plans to attend next week.

“I’ve gone to a lot of state and county fairs in the past,” he said. “I’d like to see what Alachua’s has to offer.”