University of South Carolina Libraries
CONTACT US ' THEY SAIDIT JOHN DONNE: “No spring nor summer Story ideas? Questions? Comments? beauty hath such grace as I have seen E-mail us at gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com • in one autumnal face.” BY MEG MOORE THE (iAMECOCK Ferris wheel rides, fried foods, famed performers — the sights and sounds of the fair are unmistakable. The pastel colored cotton candy and carnival games have attracted many area resi dents since childhood, fueling fond memories and defining the fall season. Coinciding with the arrival of cooler temperatures, the South Carolina State Fair opens its gates again tomorrow, inviting the child within out to play amid the crowded grounds. The annu al event features everything from art exhibits to big-name musical acts to a beauty pageant during its 10-day run, and for many it marks the official start of autumn here in the Midlands. The South Carolina State Fair began as the yearly convention of the State Agriculture and Mechanical Society of South Carolina. The organization was established, in 1839 as the State Agricultural Society; the society’s first agricultural convention took place in Columbia in 1855, where the group was reorganized and invested with a $5,000 building fund by the state Legislature. But the buildings that were construct ed for the event soon met their fiery demise — Sherman’s troops burned the convention complex during the Civil War. The Society and the fairgrounds were restored beginning in 1869 and ex panded to play host to a statewide fair on site. In 1904, the State Fair moved from its previous location to the current grounds on Bluff Road and has only con tinued to grow during the past 99 years. What began as an annual meeting for those in agriculture has evolved into a fun-filled celebration of the harvest sea son for all. The 2003 fair will bring all of the usual carnival-oriented activities back to Columbia along with a full schedule of big-name performers, free Slows, exhibits and competitions. Recognizable acts will take the stage every night during the fair’s run, com prising an impressive lineup of "grand stand entertainment” for area music fans. Christian and country-tinged artists dominate the lineup, but the list also includes an evening dedicated to the King and a performance from Uncle Kracker. Tickets to many of the grand stand shows are still available for ad vance purchase. While fair attendees can take in the evening shows for free, only 6,000 will be allowed in each night. The advanced tickets assure fans that don’t want to chance not being among the privileged 6,000 a seat to their fa vorite artists’ shows. Various competitions and exhibi tions will also take place during the 10 day fair. Area residents will have the opportunity to show off their talents in a diverse selection of areas. Although all competitors and exhibitors were re quired to preregister, their skills and ♦ FAIR, SEE PAGE 6 Schedule of Events Thursday, Oct. 2 GATES OPEN: NOON MIDWAY: 1 P.M. FREE SHOWS: NOON-IO P.M. World Trade Center Traveling Memorial - WIS Spirit of Carolina stage. NOON-1:30 P.M. SC State Fair CALLIOPE - Pat Wilson - South Gate. 1 P.M. Tyrone’s World: Comedy ventriloquism - WLTX stage. 2 P.M. Chinese Acrobats - WLTX stage. Carrie McQueen-Lady Stiltwalker - roaming the grounds. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. 2:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. Mo Vint- roaming the grounds. 3 P.M. Tyrone's World: Comedy ventriloquism - WLTX stage. 3:30 P.M. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. ^ Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom ™ - Cantey building. 4 P.M. Chinese Acrobats - WLTX stage. Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show - front of Rosewoods. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiltwalker - roaming the grounds. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 4 -8 P.M. Dooley - ETV exhibit, Ruff building. 4:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle UlUi IU. 5 P.M. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. Tyrone's World: Comedy ventriloquism - WLTX stage. 5:30 P.M. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 6 P.M. Steve Bayner - Hypnotist - WLTX stage. Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show - front of Rosewoods. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiltwalker - roaming the grounds. 6:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom ^ - Cantey building. ^ 7 P.M. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 7:30 P.M. Chinese Acrobats - WLTX stage. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. 8 P.M. Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show - front of Rosewoods. Carrie McQueen — Lady Stiltwalker — roaming the grounds. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. 8-9 P.M. Making it Grow - ETV exhibit, Ruff building 8:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. Steve Bayner - Hypnotist - WLTX stage. GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT: 7:30 P.M. CMTs Most Wanted Live Tour featuring Rascal Flatts with special guest Brian Comas. Friday, Oct. 3 GATES: 10 A.M. MIDWAY: 11A.M. FREE SHOWS: 10-11:30 A.M. SC State Fair CALLIOPE - Pat Wilson - South Gate. 10 A.M.-10 P.M. World Trade Center Traveling Memorial - WIS Spirit of Carolina stage. 11 A.M. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. NOON Walter Edgar’s Journal - ETV exhibit, Ruff building. 1 P.M. Funky Farmworks - Presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. Tyrone’s World: Comedy ventriloquism - WLTX stage. 2 P.M. Chinese Acrobats - WLTX stage. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiltwalker - roaming the grounds. 2:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 3 P.M. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. Tyrone’s World: Comedy ventriloquism - WLTX stage. 3:30 P.M. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. 4 P.M. Chinese Acrobats - WLTX stage. Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show - front of Rosewoods. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiltwalker - roaming the (Jrnnnds. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 4-8 P.M. Dooley - ETV exhibit, Ruff building. 4:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. 5 P.M. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. Tyrone’s World: Comedy ventriloquism - WLTX stage. 5:30 P.M. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 6 P.M. Steve Bayner - Hypnotist - WLTX stage. Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show - front of Rosewoods. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiltwalker - roaming the grounds. 6:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle — front of cattle arena. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. 7 P.M. Mo Vint — roaming the grounds. 7:30 P.M. Chinese Acrobats - WLTX stage. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. 8 P.M. Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show - front of Rosewoods. Carrie McQueen — Lady Stiltwalker — roaming the grounds. 8:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. Steve Bayner - Hypnotist - WLTX stage. GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT: 7:30 P.M. Avalon and Zoegiff. Saturday, Oct. 4 GATES: 9 A.M. MIDWAY: 9 A.M. FREE SHOWS: 9 A.M.-IO P.M. World Trade Center Traveling. Memorial - WIS Spirit of Carolina stage. 10 A.M.-8 P.M. Dooley - ETV Exhibit - Ruff building. 9 A.M.-NOON Miss SC State Fair Beauty Pageant - WLTX stage. 1 P.M. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiitwalker - roaming the grounds. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. 1-3 P.M. Elvis Promotion featuring Phil Urban - WLTX stage. 1:30 P.M. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 2:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. 3 P.M. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiitwalker - roaming the grounds. Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show - front of RncpwnnrtQ Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 3:30 P.M. Chinese Acrobats - WLTX stage. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. 4 P.M. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. Tyrone’s World: Comedy ventriloquism - WLTX stage. 4:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 5 P.M. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiltwalker - roaming the grounds. Chinese Acrobats - WLTX stage. Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show - front of Rosewoods. 5:30 P.M. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. 6 P.M. Steve Bayner - Hypnotist - WLTX stage. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 6:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. 7 P.M. Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show - front of Rosewoods. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiltwalker - roaming the grounds. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. 7:30 P.M. Chinese Acrobats - WLTX stage. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. 8:30 P.M. Steve Bayner - Hypnotist - WLTX stage. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT: 7:30 P.M. Three Faces of the King - Elvis Tribute. Sunday, Oct. 5 GATES: 12 P.M. MIDWAY: NOON FREE SHOWS: NOON-9 P.M. World Trade Center Traveling Memorial - WIS Spirit of Carolina stage. 1-8 P.M. Dooley - ETV exhibit, Ruff building. 1 P.M. Tyrone's World: Comedy ventriloquism - WLTX stage. 1:30 P.M. Dennis Lee (Greatest Grandparent entertainment) - Grandstand. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 2 P.M. Chinese Acrobats - WLTX stage. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiltwalker - roaming the grounds. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. 2:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. 3 P.M. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. Tyrone’s World: Comedy ventriloquism - WLTX stage. 3:30 P.M. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. 4 P.M. Chinese Acrobats - WLTX stage. Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show - front of Rosewoods. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiltwalker - roaming the - 4:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 5 P.M. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. Tyrone’s World: Comedy ventriloquism - WLTX stage. 5:30 P.M. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. 6 P.M. Steve Bayner - Hypnotist - WLTX stage. Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show - front of Rosewoods. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiltwalker - roaming the grounds. Mo Vint - roaming the grounds. 6:30 P.M. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. 7:30 P.M. Chinese Acrobats - WLTX stage. The Nerveless Nocks - The Rocket. 8 P.M. Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show - front of Rosewoods. Carrie McQueen - Lady Stiltwalker - roaming the Grounds. Funky Farmworks - presented by Ag in the Classroom - Cantey building. 8:30 P.M. Steve Bayner - Hypnotist - WLTX stage. Wheels of Freestyle - front of cattle arena. GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT: 4:30 P.M. Mark Willis.