THE BALLOON MAN

Manatee County Fair opens under chilly skies


The midway opens Thursday night at the Manatee County Fair.
PAUL VIDELA/Bradenton Herald
By ELIZABETH JOHNSON
FROM:  bradenton.com
January 18, 2013
MANATEE -- Carnival lights twinkled in the night sky over Palmetto Wednesday night as the 97th annual Manatee County Fair kicked off.
A cool breeze whipped through the fairgrounds where people bundled up in coats, scarves, gloves and hats to enjoy rides, games, the swine show and foods of the fried variety. Tickets were half price for the opening night of the 10-day event.
"We've got a decent crowd in the midway and the center stands for the hog show," said Dan West, fair manager, halfway through the night. "It rained a little this afternoon and that stayed around longer than expect then a bit of a breeze started, but it is an average crowd for opening night."

 

All manner of fried treats were available at the Manatee County Fair Thursday.
PAUL VIDELA/Bradenton Herald
The Miller family from Bradenton almost stayed home due to the cooler weather moving in after record-breaking high temperatures earlier in the week.
"We almost didn't come because of the weather, but I'm glad we did," Karin Miller said. "It's not too crowded and it won't be that way later. We're here for the night."
Miller said it was the fourth year that her family has come to the fair.
"And it's a lot of fun," chimed her daughter, Rain, 10. Rain's favorite ride is the Zipper, which she describes as an "oval Ferris wheel but the seats are never level."
Her younger brother Hunter enjoys the fun houses and Gravitron.
Other families came out for the food.
Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2013/01/18/4355930/manatee-county-fair-opens-under.html#storylink=cpy