Be there: See and do at the fair

No event in October can eclipse the gravitational pull of the S.C. State Fair.

People come from around the state just to take in the new attractions, old favorites and, of course, the food they convince themselves is fine to overindulge in because it’s a once-a-year event.

But what’s at this year’s fair to draw you back? Glad you asked. Here are the best “be there” events for one of the state’s top “be there” events:

BE THERE FOR THE SHOWS, PART I: There are several musical acts scheduled worth your time and the additional fee, like Thomas Rhett, Shawn Mendes and Cole Swindell – but Gladys Knight, set for Sunday, Oct. 18 takes the proverbial funnel cake. (More on this year’s performers, page 10).

BE THERE FOR THE SHOWS, PART II: You’ve got the Grandstand … and then you’ve got the roving acts – Denny the Clown; Carl Brunson, One Man Band; Robert Abrahamson, Wooden Bowl Burner, and much more. Now that’s entertainment. Better still, this brand of entertainment is free (unlike many things at the fair).

BE THERE FOR THE ART: Want to see artists convert 75,000 tons of sand into anything from an ear of corn to a Jurassic Kingdom? Or how about elaborate balloon art that includes a 30-foot-by-15-foot farm created out of 10,000 balloons? Want to be inspired by the original art of young people? How about elaborately decorated cakes or handmade quilts? Art, in many forms, is on display here.

BE THERE FOR THE PIGS: Pigs have yet to fly, but have you seen them swim? Or race? Watch “Swifty” take the plunge into an 8-foot tank and piglets burn up the bacon as they race around a track. Big fun – a must for every fairgoer.

BE THERE FOR THE THRILLS: Get the lay of the fair land on the giant Ferris wheel. Hit the big slide. See how many roller coasters your stomach can take on – and don’t miss the newest one, The Blitzer.

BE THERE FOR THE FOOD: You don’t need us to convince you on this one. Grab a few friends and hit the Lunch at the Fair promotion weekdays as often as you can to sample the foods, including the three newbies (more on those, page 14). Worry about the diet after the fair. Enough said.

BE THERE … TO WATCH: Is there any better place to watch the world go by? The colors, the sounds, the smells, the people. So take a load off and take it all in.

See you there.

This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 3:21 PM with the headline "Be there: See and do at the fair."