SC State Fair off to favorable start as thousands turn out for Opening Day
October 15, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – Clear skies and enthusiastic crowds marked the opening day of the 2015 South Carolina State Fair in Columbia on Wednesday.
The opening drew 35,686 patrons to the fairgrounds and while that fell short of the record 41,022 visitors on opening day last year, fair officials remain optimistic for a banner year.
“I think it has been a great atmosphere,” State Fair manager Gary Goodman said of the opening day’s attendance. “They ate and they rode and they loved the new dinosaur exhibit” (in the fair’s newly opened Hampton Plaza).
Thomas Rhett kicked off the fair’s Grandstand entertainment as he played to an appreciative crowd.
Goodman said the overall atmosphere was lifted even more as the City of Columbia officially lifted its boil water advisory for all areasWednesday afternoon in the wake of the recent historic flooding, although the fair had been prepared to provide clean water for patrons.
“Our people had worked so hard to adjust to the water situation and we really appreciate the efforts of all our vendors,” Goodman said, adding it was good to see the city’s burden eased somewhat as it continues to recover from the rains.
To assist in that recovery, the fair is donating all net proceeds from this year’s $5 parking fee to area flood relief efforts.
Thursday is College Day at the Fair. Admission is free for students with a current valid college ID. Patrons can also take advantage of a pay-one-price ride day.
The fair has completed several grounds enhancements this year that include a new ticket booth and outdoor Hampton Plaza at the Rosewood Drive entrance and a 36,000-square-foot exhibition hall, the Goodman Building, adjacent to the existing Cantey Building near the south gate.
The 2015 South Carolina State Fair runs through October 25 at the fairgrounds on Rosewood Drive and George Rogers Boulevard in Columbia.
Visit www.scstatefair.org for tickets, entertainment schedules and more information.
