Columbia County fair wraps up in Grovetown
By Ana Winters | Staff writer
Every autumn, the Columbia County Fair comes to Grovetown with all the sights, sounds and smells that a lot of locals look forward to every year.
This year was special since it was the 60th anniversary for the Columbia Country Fair.
There were fast rides, the familiar smell of fried food, and the laughter of families and friends. The fair has long been a beloved tradition that captures the spirit of the community and the season of fall.
The fair ended on Sunday, Nov. 9.
“They have some special promotions if you look on their website like tonight I brought 10 canned goods and that paid for my entry ticket,” said Leigh Collins, a member of the community who continually goes to the fair every year.
But the fair isn’t just about fun and food; it's also about learning, so alongside the cotton candy and roller coasters there is one of the fair’s most impressive and often overlooked attractions.
The Golabchi Education Center is a collection valued at over $10 million. This center allows the public to see an extensive display of wildlife in nature exhibits as well as some conservation education.
Bass Pro Shops came in and contributed to the landscaping and design of the exhibit. Exhibit officials say they’re now hoping to expand that educational impact even further, planning to begin bringing in local school groups for field trips.
The fair wouldn't be complete without the rides and food that keep families coming back.
“I keep coming back for the funnel cake and the famous lemonade.” said Daniel Bralley from Evans.
Visitors can find classic rides like the Ferris wheel and the carousel along with some new thrill rides and games. Wisitors might have noticed one of the more popular attractions were missing this year. The Himalayan, a fast moving ride known for its lights and popular music, was not available..
While some people might miss the Himalayan, there was plenty of fun elsewhere, between the livestock shows and a big selection of fair food.
For many people in the community, the Columbia County Fair is not just an annual event, it's bringing families together for a night of fun. Whether people come for the food, the rides or to exhibits like the Golabchi Education Center, year after year, locals keep coming back.
Contact Ana Winters at anwinters@augusta.edu.
Food is a big part of the Columbia County Fair in Grovetown, including the pizza stand. At the top of the page, the Pirate ride is a popular ride for the whole family at the annual fair at the fairgrounds at the intersection of Columbia Road and William Few Parkway. (photos by Ana Winters/the Bell Ringer)
