This weekend is the 29 annual Central Texas State Fair and as usual thousands of people beat the heat to attend.
It was 10 a.m on Saturday, a couple of hours before the carnival gates open, and tents were slowly opening up as workers put together the last few pieces of their rides.
“I like this day of the year because there’s a lot of fun rides,” an 7-year-old fair go-er said.
2016 is the first year that Carnival Americana was chosen to be the featured carnival
"We are known around the state for providing clean family entertainment in our carnival setting so I think it's something that they were looking for here," Carnival Americana Alan Cockerham said.
Favorites were of course the ferris wheel and the Windsurf, a 20 seat ride that spins 360 degrees into the air.
The clock struck 12 p.m. and the crowds began to trickle in and little ones were anxious to get on the rides.
"Our little one loves the meri-go-round and walking around and looking at all of the rides,” mom Kristy Dorn said. “And obviously the livestock too."
Sure it's always fun, food and games but this year fair organizers wanted to kick things up a notch,
"There's a lot more stuff going on,” Owners of Big Dog BBQ, a vendor at the carnival, said. “They got the rodeo this year. Last night was the demolition derby, they got some really great music. It's walking around, It's meeting people. It's having a good time. I mean riding the rides. it's spending time together."
Other attractions at the Central Texas State Fair include Professional Bull Riding, Performances by country stars like Kevin Fowler and The Casey Donahue Band, circus acts, a livestock show, fried food.
The carnival costs $9 for adults and is free for children 12 and under.
Concert admission is between $8 and $18. The last day of the fair is Sunday and it ends at midnight.
Copyright 2016 KXXV. All rights reserved. ??
