The Southwest Georgia Regional Fair is Albany’s classic Fall event, featuring live entertainment, food, rides, and games for the whole family. Hosted at the Exchange Fairgrounds in Albany, Georgia, the fair’s annual return has been a staple of this South Georgia community.
The six day event promises more than rides and entertainment. Competitive cooking, artists from the area, and students caring for prized animals bring new life to the fair each year. So what should you do? Here’s our take on some Southwest Georgia Regional Fair necessities.
Ride the rides (obviously)
There’s no official count on how many rides you should take part in, but please climb into some of them, if you can. It’s the most iconic and visual part of the experience: being lifted into the air on flying swings or being flipped upside down – over and over again until you get sick. Ah, the memories. Who’s ready?
Enjoy the entertainment
It can be easy to get lost in the whirling rides, flashing lights, and incessant carnival music playing across the fair, but there’s more to it than that. Stages are set and artists have arrived to entertain audiences with music and more. Take a moment to plan out time, visit, and enjoy these entertainers. You’ll be glad you did.
Eat the food
Fairs are generally associated with deep-fried everything, but the experience isn’t just about those delicacies (see what I did there). It’s about visiting that food truck you love but haven’t been to in forever or trying out a new place you’ve never heard of and realize you love it. It doesn’t have to be a lot, but sample the eats while you’re at the fair. Most of it is only around for a few days.
Appreciate the art
Each year, a number of local and regional artists come to the fair to showcase their art and many offer items for sale. Take a look at what’s on display from people you might recognize. Exploring art is a different kind of happiness, so get your fill while you can.
Celebrate students and animals
Is it really a fair without livestock? Or your local 4-H? Fortunately the Southwest Georgia Regional Fair does include livestock exhibition animals and the people that care for them. Swing by the livestock area to celebrate the hard work many students have put into caring for their animals and the results they have achieved. Also, baby goats are cute.
Recognize the community around you
In general, the fair is a popular, fun, and affordable event that’s family-friendly. Which means most everyone shows up at some point, which is a good thing. It brings so many people from so many places together for one reason: seasonal local fun. So say hello to the people you know, and be kind to the people you don’t. Because you never know when you’re going to make a new friend.
What’s your favorite part of the fair? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Featured image courtesy of Visit Albany GA.
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