The Chattahoochee Mountain Fair is back for another spin (tilt and whirl) at the Habersham County Fairgrounds this week.
The fair opened Friday evening to an enthusiastic, although slightly smaller than usual crowd.
“It was a little slower than normal,” said fair committee member Sandra Cooper. She speculated Friday night high school football may have slowed things down a bit, but still, she said, the crowds were “pretty steady.”
“We did good,” said Cooper.
There were plenty of games, rides, vendors, food, and entertainment at the fair for folks to enjoy. The organizing committee promised “more” this year, and it appears they delivered, with activities and rides for people of all ages.
Even Mother Nature provided “more” friendly weather. Despite the late summer heat that bore down as the gates opened, cooler temperatures prevailed after sunset, making it an optimum night for fair going.
Brianna Irvin from the Cornelia bakery Sugartopia was impressed with the opening night crowd and atmosphere.
“I think it’s been great! So far, we’ve had a lot of traffic come through, and they’ve been very friendly. If they don’t pick up anything now, they’ve told us they’re going to come back by on the way out, and that’s what they have been doing the whole time,” she told Now Habersham.
Rural fun in a digital age
This year marks the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair’s 47th year. When it first launched in 1975, cell phones didn’t exist and IBM was the world leader in computer technology. A lot’s changed since then. Even so, despite the distractions of this digital age (and football), the fair proves there’s still room – and an appetite – for homespun family fun.
Kapril Wheelis of White County attended the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair last year. She was back again Friday with her children in tow.
“They got a lot of good food and vendors and stuff. The rides are pretty fun,” she said.
Eleven-year-old Kenzey Wheelis enjoyed the “really good slushies and stores.”
“My favorite ride is where you lay on your stomach and you go up,” she added.
‘Up’ is where the crowd count is expected to head this Saturday and Sunday as Northeast Georgians make their weekend trek to the fair.
This weekend’s fair hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Carnival rides open one hour after the gates open. Gate admission for people 37″ tall and over is $10; those 36″ tall and under are free. Wristbands for unlimited rides are $25.
Check out this week’s fair discounts and special events at chattahoocheemountainfair.org.
Also, sign up for your chance to win a free family pass, good for gate admission for 2 adults and 2 children. Visit Now Habersham’s Facebook page for details.
The Chattahoochee Mountain Fair is located at the Habersham County Fairgrounds, 4235 Toccoa Highway, in Clarkesville.
