Kayla Odell- Not a Care at the Fair

THE NORTH ALA. STATE FAIR- The State fair has come to town for the Shoals area. There will be a lot of fun events in store. Do not miss this year’s North Ala. State fair.

Not a Care, at the Fair
By Kayla Odell
484 Words

MUSCLE SHOALS- The fair has finally come to town.
Fall is in the air. Leaves are changing colors, and the weather is getting cooler. The time of year for the fair has arrived.
As you are driving down Woodward Ave. with your windows down, a sweet aroma fills your car. The smell is coming from the North Ala. State fair which takes place every year around this time in the month of September.
This September, the Shoals area celebrates the 76th Annual North Ala. State Fair. The fairgrounds are usually packed with people from all over Northwest Ala. Sounds of laughter and screams fill the air as people enjoy the thrilling rides the fair has to offer.
The North Ala. Fairgrounds is located off of Woodward Ave. in Muscle Shoals, right before you reach Hwy 72. The fair begins on Tuesday, September 21st and ends Sunday, September 26th. The admission is $7.00 for adults (13+), $5.00 for children (6-12), and children 5 and under get in free. Gates open at 5:00 in the afternoon Tuesday through Friday, and 12:00 noon on Saturday and Sunday.
Not only are there rides and great food at the fair, there are many events and exhibits which take place. There is estimated to be around 2,900 exhibits this year at the fair. Also, there will be many competitions taking place such as livestock shows, lawn mower races, beauty pageants’, cheerleader competitions, and many more. Local Muscle Shoals resident, Lindsay Steien says, “I always enjoy going to watch the competitions at the fair, especially the beauty pageants.”
There are also many exhibits set up. Former 4-H member, Lacy Thomas recalls, “I always looked forward to working on our booth for the fair. It brought the 4-H members together for a time of fellowship and fun.” The booths are usually from local clubs, organizations, and stores located around the Shoals area.
According to some people, the rides are not their favorite part about the fair. The food is what gets them excited. “The food is like nothing you can describe”, comments local resident Michael Turner. “Sometimes I just go to the fair to get one of their funnel cakes and caramel apple”, says Turner.
Even though fall began not too long ago, fair goers need to be prepared for some warm weather. The weather is predicted to be in the high 90s, with a chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to drink plenty of water and dress accordingly.
The fair only comes to town once a year. Take advantage of it and go support our county fair.
Kayla Odell is a Sophomore of UNA