Side streets will be blocked and traffic will be detoured today as the parade kicking off the 47th Annual Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair meanders through downtown Statesboro.

            Statesboro Police will begin barricading streets leading to North and South Main streets around mid afternoon. Parade participants will begin lining up along East Olliff and adjacent streets around 4 p.m., and the parade will begin at 5 p.m., said Statesboro Kiwanis Club parade chairman Greg Ponder.

            The parade's theme, "Conserving our Agriculture," will be reflected through float decor and the parade grand marshal is Tommy Irvin, Georgia's agriculture commissioner.

            The parade will include local dignitaries, floats, antique cars and tractors, bands, beauty queens and more, with about 125 entries, he said.

            After the parade, the fairgrounds on Ga. 67 open at 6 p.m., with free admission for everyone Monday, said Statesboro Kiwanis Fair Chairman Darrell Colson.

            The Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair always has a great midway with several large thrill rides, but this year there will be even more, according to Dominic Vivona, owner of Amusements of America, which has provided the midway for the Kiwanis Fair for decades.

            A new ride is  the Crazy Mouse, a roller coaster ride that takes thrill seekers through a series of hairpin curves as well as hills and valleys.

            The Disco is "the only one of its kind," Vivona said. The round "table-type seats" hold 20 riders each and zooms up and around on a half circle track. The popular Fireball, the Bonzai , Flying Bobs, Rock-n-Roll, Gravitron and a new swing ride that tilts, called the Wave Swinger, will also be on the midway.

            Amusements of America also brings a large assortment of rides to "Kiddie Land,"  a children's ride area  segregated from the rest of the midway for family comfort and safety, Colson said.

            The fair offers much more than just the midway. There are arts and crafts exhibits, agricultural displays, student projects and an art show.

            The fair's Heritage Village includes food booths from local vendors, an old country store, a barnyard with animals, the Aldrich House, and antique farm equipment.

            Every night there will be live entertainment, including shows by the Fearless Flores circus act.