The Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair, serving seven counties, will see its 52nd year arrive with a parade kickoff at
5 p.m. Monday through downtown Statesboro.

The fairgrounds, on Georgia Highway 67 south of Statesboro, will open afterward.

Amusements of America will provide a midway filled with games of chance, a kiddie land section and thrill rides for the 35th year, and as always, the Vivona brothers, who own the business, promise something new and exciting.

The big draw this year includes a ride from Europe called “The Simulator,” Rob Vivona said. Those who are adventurous enough to try the new attraction will enjoy simulated “rides” with different scenarios, he said.

Another new thrill coming to the fair this year is the Sizzler, a thrill ride with seats on three arms and a center, all which move in various directions, bringing screams of fearful delight, Vivona said.

The kiddie land section, with an array of rides geared toward the younger set, will also have something new. Families with tots will enjoy the classics along with the Far West Train, he said.

The favorites – the Crazy Mouse, Giant Ferris Wheel and rides such as the Rock-n-Roll will also return, he said.

Longtime Statesboro Kiwanis Club members Walter Pease and Darrell Colson are sharing the role of fair chairman this year, and both promise a week filled with plenty of opportunities for good family fun.

Sam’s Path Petting Zoo will bring an expanded menagerie, and Chase’s Racing and Swimming Pigs will return as well. Lovey the Clown, popular with children and adults alike last year, will bring smiles and laughter, much like the magician show that also plans to return, Pease said.

The Heritage Village includes the Aldrich House, which once housed a local family just a few miles from the fairgrounds site; an old general store, a grist mill, cane grinding and syrup making; antique farm implement displays and live demonstrations by a blacksmith and beekeepers.

Livestock shows are held nightly in the livestock barn and a poultry exhibit inhabits the red barn at Heritage Village.

Local residents enter artwork, crafts, home-baked and canned goods, while farmers and gardeners exhibit their best crops for judging. Students with 4-H and FFA compete for ribbons and cash by displaying educational mini-booths in one building, and commercial exhibits are found throughout the grounds as well as inside a large building at the entrance.

If all this makes you hungry, there will be a variety of food vendors from local businesses, churches and organizations offering items such as fried fish, stews, chicken, baked goods, fresh pork skins, roasted and boiled peanuts and more.

They, along with the Pittman Park United Methodist Church and local 4-H booth, also offer hot dogs and hamburgers, fries, chips, cold drinks and the “fair food” favorites; funnel cakes, cotton candy, candy apples and popcorn.

The Kiwanis Club’s pancake house draws a huge crowd nightly, offering pancake and sausage plates with either homemade cane syrup or maple syrup, and the Circle K Club will sell freshly smoked barbecue just next door.

More information may be obtained at the fair’s website, www.kiwanisogeecheefair.org.

The Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair is an agricultural fair that serves Bulloch, Evans, Bryan, Screven, Jenkins, Candler and Tattnall counties.  It starts Monday and runs through Saturday, and proceeds from the weeklong event are distributed among local charities and organizations throughout the year.

Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.