The 2012 State Fair starts Wednesday and runs through Oct. 21. A few key reminders about the 143st anniversary fair.

Get your tickets

Today is the last day to buy discounted advance admission and ride tickets.

Buy admission tickets at www.scstatefair.org or at any Bi-Lo grocery. Admission is $7 in advance, $10 once the fair opens for ages 6-54. The cost is $7 for seniors, ages 55 and older, and $2 for children, ages 2 to 5. Active and retired military and their dependents with proper identification are admitted free.

Advance ride vouchers are $20, available at Bi-Lo through today. Beginning Wednesday, vouchers will be $25 and available at the fair. Vouchers purchased in advance can be exchanged any day for 28 ride coupons. Vouchers purchased after the fair opens can be traded for 22 ride coupons. Kiddie rides require two or three tickets; adult rides, three or four. All vouchers can be exchanged for a pay-one-price wristband on weekdays.

Of note

Fair gates open at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Admission is $1 for everyone on opening day, with tickets available only at the gate.

Made for speed

There’s a new force on the Midway. The new “Speed” ride debuts at this year’s fair. It’s 125 feet high and spins at 13 revolutions a minute, creating 3.5 Gs of force. The ride is new to North America and is one of a handful in the country. This one is only for the brave at heart.

Fair weather

The weather for the first few days of the fair will be what is known as “fair weather” – the cool, dry days most common in South Carolina in mid-October. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will be in the middle 50s early in the morning and upper 70s in the afternoon Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The next chance of rain? The weekend. A slight chance.

Compiled by Bertram Rantin