County fair will have new look
The Chilton County Fair is set to begin Oct. 10 and will last through Oct. 14.
This year, the fair will have a new look and feel with various new rides and some that have not been part of the fair for more than a decade.
The new rides are a result of Sonshine Amusements taking over as the entertainment provider for the fair, instead of Kissel Entertainment.
According to Scott Zuelzke with the Clanton Kiwanis Club, which has managed the fair since 2003, Sonshine Amusements is from Trussville and has a history of supplying the rides for the fair during the 1980s and early 1990s.
“Us finding out that Kissel wasn’t coming back this year was a blow to us, but we think it is going to be a good thing too,” Zuelzke said. “It’s going to be something fresh and different that people can look forward to.”
One of the highly anticipated additions is “bumper cars,” which has not been a part of the attractions since the Kiwanis Club took over.
Other additions include a super slide and a designated section with rides for younger-aged children.
These new rides will accompany the more traditional rides, such as a Ferris wheel.
“They are thrilled to have the opportunity to come back to Chilton County,” Zuelzke said.
The fair is a fall tradition for many people in Chilton County and is the major fundraiser event for the Clanton Kiwanis Club.
“Last year, we generated $30,000 of revenue from the fair and all of that money was given back to children’s charities in Chilton County,” Zuelzke said. “We do all this to give back. We don’t do it to make a profit for ourselves.”
This will be the fourth year that the fair will be held at the Clanton City Park.
“Since we’ve been at the city park, we have steadily grown over the last years and we’re looking to have another big one,” Zuelzke said.
Zuelzke thanked the city of Clanton for its support and for working closely with the fair to help make it a success.
The fair will once again be a weeklong event. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Oct. 10 to Oct. 13 and 5 p.m. on Oct. 14, the final day.
According to Zuelzke, the fair does not have an official closing time and will remain open as long as people are enjoying themselves.
Things will get kicked off in a big way on Oct. 10 with an armband special that will allow patrons to ride anything and everything for $10.
“That’s our way of showing appreciation to the people that come out and support our fundraiser,” Zuelzke said.
Armband pricing will be $15 on Oct. 11-12 and $20 Oct. 13-14. Admission is $2 each night with children 3 years old and younger allowed in for free.