Northeast Florida Fair underway

This year’s Northeast Florida Fair, themed “Country Pride, County Wide,” opens at 5 p.m. Thursday with a variety of offerings for all ages through Oct. 21. 

Weather from Hurricane Michael may not have any ill effects on the fair’s opening. 

“We’re optimistic, but that could change,” NEFL Fair President Keith Wingate told the Record Monday. “Unless there’s lightning and downpours, the fair will be up and running.” 

Plans include bolstering the parking areas with crushed asphalt to ward off any flooding or the possibility of vehicles getting stuck on wet ground. 

This year’s fair offers a variety of events and activities for all ages. 

“It’s safe family fun,” Wingate said. “It’s really a good event for our community – good food and good entertainment. A lot of people come to the fair every day for the social aspect. It’s like a big reunion for a lot of people. You see old friends that you haven’t seen since last year at the fair.” 

In its 71st year, the fair attracts visitors from across the region. Approximately 40,000 visitors attended the fair in 2017, according to Brian Simmons, gate manager. 

The midway offers more than 35 rides this year, including the Hyperloop 360, which should challenge thrill seekers. 

“One ride that has never been to our event is the Hyperloop 360,” Simmons wrote via email recently. “It is similar to a ride called the Freak Out but instead of only 270 degrees, the Hyperloop 360 takes riders upside down and makes a full revolution as the name suggests. This ride is definitely not for everyone.”

Fair admission for ages 13 years and older is $6. Children 6-12, adults age 65 and older and military personnel with a valid I.D. pay $4. Children ages 5 and under are admitted for free. Ride tickets are sold separately and may be purchased at midway ticket booths. 

Today is the last day to buy a MegaPasses online at www.neflfair.org. Cost is $25 per pass. 

“MegaPasses will not be sold during the event,” Simmons noted. “The MegaPass allows for unlimited mechanical rides for one person any one day of the 2018 fair. Patrons can print the MegaPass redemption certificate or show it on their mobile device. The MegaPass can save you up to $6 if you are over the age of 13 and plan to buy an all day armband onsite on a Saturday. There will be a MegaPass redemption at each gate this year, which allows you to move through the lines faster.”

An ATM is onsite and admission gates will also accept Visa and Mastercard. 

“Carnival ticket box/armband purchases can also use most major credit cards,” Simmons noted. “Many not-for-profit vendors do not accept credit cards, so it is recommended to bring cash.”

Various musical acts will perform southern rock, southern gospel, dance music and rock ‘n’ roll. The Boogie Freaks, Big Engine, Taylor Xpress, Johnny Bulford with special guest Heidi Ray, Second Shot, the Trinity River Band, the Citywide Male Chorus and Double Down are featured. 

Fair organizers provide opportunities for area non-profits to raise funds via food booths. 

“The West Nassau Warrior Band, West Nassau Air Force JROTC, Callahan Middle School Band and many more all have food booths,” Simmons wrote. “The money raised from these booths go to help their organizations.” 

Livestock exhibitions of pigs, steer, poultry, lambs, goats and rabbits are a seasonal tradition. 

NEFL Fair Vice Presi-dent Peggy Johnston des-cribed the crowd’s reaction as children and teens compete. 

“You see these kids walking in with these big steers and they will weigh from 900 to 1,400 pounds and they’re handling them and showing them in the ring,” she said. “After these kids show all week, the animals are available at the market sale.”

Arts and crafts submissions are popular as competitors vie for ribbons and prizes, depending on the category. They also compete with canned goods, vegetables, fruits, pies and cakes. 

Premiums totaling $20,000 are usually paid out each year, Wingate said. 

He has served as president of the Northeast Florida Fair Association for four years, with 14 years on the fair board. The volunteer-board serves the non-profit and relies on community and business sponsorships to operate. 

“We are totally self reliant,” Wingate said. “We take everything and put that toward next fair. I’m very proud that we’re one of the few fairs that’s not in debt, so we’re very prudent with our funding.”