Members of

the Fayette County Kiwanis Club are "working right

up until the deadline" to get the new fairgrounds

ready for the largest ever Fayette County Fair.

"It's

going to be much improved, I think, over what we've had

the last few years," said Beth Snead, fair manager

for the club.

More

entertainment, rides, arts and crafts, exhibits and

activities are on tap this year, because the new grounds,

at Goza and Lisbon roads, just off Ga. Highway 85,

provides more space.

Using the

theme "A new beginning for an old time fair,"

Kiwanians are celebrating their 49th fair this year.

And there's

room to grow at the new site, so the fair will get better

year by year, Snead said.

Kiwanians

have signed more than 50 vendors this year, Snead said,

compared to about half that last year.

There will

be three new rides this year as well, she said. One of

them is "The Inverter," which "twists you

every which way but loose."

A new

20,000-sq. ft. exhibit hall is ready to go, Snead said.

Club members and construction workers have been burning

midnight oil to get the facility up and ready in time for

this year's fair, with plans to expand the building later

and use it for a variety of events for the community.

Among new

attractions this year will be:

� An extra student night to reduce the

crowds of teens and make it easier for them to enjoy the

fair. "It was getting so large, they were lucky if

they could ride two or three rides," said Snead. Two

high schools will be invited one night, and the remaining

two a different night.

� A Wednesday youth rally for church

youth groups, with discounts 5 - 7 p.m.

� A matinee Saturday, Oct. 9, noon to

5 p.m., aimed at children. "We wanted to have

something special for the kids," said Snead.

"Entertainment and activities will be focused for

them."

A variety

of entertainment also is scheduled (see related story in

the Weekend section - also, see the Fayette County

Fair insert inside today's edition of The Citizen).

The fair

runs Sept. 30 - Oct. 9, with a special opening ceremony

Oct. 2 at 11:30 a.m.. Hours of operation are weekdays 6 -

10 p.m. and Saturdays 1 p.m. to midnight.

For

information phone 770-719-3530.

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