Sunday, October 28, 2012

Fairgoers find ways to stay warm on chilly day at Greater Gulf State Fair


Rides, games and other amusements attract fairgoers on the opening night of the Greater Gulf State Fair Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, in Mobile, Ala.
(Mike Brantley/mbrantley@al.com)

From: al.com
By John Sharp
October 27, 2012
MOBILE, Alabama – Ann-Marie Anderson won't shy away from standing next to one of her 800-plus pound steers, and she isn't afraid of taking on cancer, either.
The 14-year-old Mary G. Montogmery High School freshman's creative "Udders for Others" breast cancer awareness effort has already raised $500 for the American Cancer Society during this year's Greater Gulf State Fair, now in its 58th year
"I wanted to do something special," Anderson of Wilmer said today, during a chilly afternoon at the fairgrounds while participating in the junior heifer show and helping to sell $5 pink ribbons tied onto the tails of the large animals.
The effort is in honor of her cousin, Joy Wallace, a six-year breast cancer survivor and is one of the many new ideas and attractions at this year's later-than-normal fair.
The fair runs until Nov. 4, about a week later than in previous years. The date change allowed organizers to attract new additions like amusement rides and the Amazing Anastasini Circus.
"I feel as if there are a lot of people from the city who've come out here in the past who had no idea how large the fair has gotten," Scott Tindle, the fair's executive director, said. "Most people in the city don't realize that 100 yards away from the city's limits is a heifer show."
While the livestock is what this and hundreds of fairs nationwide are founded on, this year's Great Gulf State Fair – the second largest fair in the state, behind next week's National Peanut Festival in Dothan – has newer attractions that Tindle believes will help establish a new attendance record. Friday's attendance was about 18 percent more than what was projected.
 
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Colored lights and enthusiastic screams can make you look up at the Greater Gulf State Fair Friday night, Oct. 26, 2012, in Mobile, Ala.
 (Mike Brantley/mbrantley@al.com)

"I think a lot of people will say, 'I've been to the fair, and I know what's there,'" Tindle said. "But they can't say that this year."
For starters, some of the rides are new. One in particular, called "Speed," is only on its second showing at a large fair after debuting recently in South Carolina.
The 115-foot arm hoists its passengers awkwardly into the air, and swings them around 360 degrees.
read more:
http://blog.al.com/live/2012/10/teen_recognizes_cancer_others.html

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