Exhibits like these from local school FFA chapters are a staple of the Cullman County Fair. (Tribune file photo)
CULLMAN – The smells of cotton candy, funnel cakes and caramel apples…the bright lights and sounds of the midway…the 64th annual Cullman County Fair is a little more than a month away, and the Cullman Lions Club is hoping for a great year! The fair parade will be Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. The fair will open on Oct. 4 and run through the 13th, with opening ceremonies set for Thursday, Oct. 4 at 5 p.m.
2018 Fair President and Lion, Charlie Childers, is confident that some changes this year will benefit everyone. A new amusement company has come on board for 2018. Kissel Entertainment is a family-owned carnival entertainment company from Clanton.
Childers spoke about the change, saying, “We had wanted to bring the new group to Cullman for a couple of years. They have been doing the Ft. Payne Fair and their fair is the same time of Cullman’s. We decided this year to push our fair back a week or so in order to have Kissel. They have new rides that are in pristine condition. We have used three different companies over the past three years and had concerns. Kissel not only has newer rides, but they travel with a team of skilled mechanics and inspectors.”
The Kissel website states that each ride is inspected daily and that safety is a top priority. Kissel Entertainment requires all employees to pass drug screening and background checks. For more information on Kissel Entertainment, visit www.kisselentertainment.com.
Childers is also excited about Kissel not contracting outside companies for carnival games and food vendors, explaining, “The new group brings their own food trucks and operates all the games. Their food trucks are spotless and clean. The games are also designed to promote fairness.”
Parents of young children will be happy that Kissel also has an entire selection of rides and fun for the little ones.
Childers recalled, “Last year, the group we used had very few attractions for small kids. Many children weren’t permitted to ride the non-moving seats on the carousel. We were not happy about that, and neither were families. This year hopes to be all-inclusive.”
The Cullman Lions Club has also been busy making improvements to the Cullman County Fairgrounds. Asphalt has been added in areas to improve stroller and wheelchair access. Some areas will remain gravel, but asphalt has been incorporated to create a path inside the park, around the Coca-Cola Theatre and in parking areas. The Lions hope to have the area in front of the main ticket gate finished prior to opening.
Childers is particularly proud to introduce the first Cullman County Fair Spelling Bee, saying the Lions worked hard for proper accreditation. The winner of the spelling bee will earn a coveted spot in the state spelling bee. Rules and entry forms can be found on the Cullman County Fair website at www.cullmanfair.com.
Peoples Bank locations will be selling discount fair MegaPasses. Sales begin Sept.11 and end Oct. 4. MegaPasses are $22 and include admission and unlimited rides. Once the fair begins, the passes will be $29 at the gate.
Registration for fair parade entries begins at 9 a.m. Sept.17 at the fair office. Entry fees are $20 (cash or check only). Registration ends Wednesday, Sept. 26.
The complete calendar of events is posted at www.cullmanfair.com (including all exhibitor info).
Registration forms for competitions and pageants can be downloaded from the website.
Events at the Coca-Cola Theatre include:
- Tiny and Petite Fair Princess- Oct. 4, 7 p.m.
- Miss Cullman County Fair Queen- Oct. 9, 7 p.m.
- Spelling Bee- Oct. 10, 6 p.m.
- Little, Junior, and Teen Fair Princess- Oct. 11, 7 p.m.
- Talent Show- Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
The Tri Green Arena will feature Peinhardt Living History Farm animals and different animal shows and competitions throughout the fair.
Student Day is Monday, Oct. 8 from noon until 5 p.m. All Cullman City and County Schools students and homeschool students will be admitted for free.
Childers said, “The schools have all been wonderful and very understanding with this year’s (date) changes and making sure the students still had a day to enjoy the fair. The band directors were also very helpful changing schedules for the parade and exhibition, so thank you to all the schools.”
Comfort Care Senior Citizen Day will be Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
The money raised by the Lions Club at the Cullman County Fair will benefit local schools, parks and nonprofit organizations.
The Cullman County Fairgrounds are located at 1501 Sportsman Lake Road NW, Cullman, AL 35055.
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