By DAVE HAMRICK
Staff Writer

With a new facility and oodles of space, the 1999 Fayette County Fair promises to grow by leaps and bounds in coming years, organizers say.

Unfinished though the new fairgrounds may be, Kiwanis assistant fair manager A. J. VanLandingham said the facility will help make this year's fair better than previous ones ever could have been. “We're doing some in-depth planning and trying to show a great improvement,” he said.

“We're trying to grow the fair from what it was,” agreed Beth Snead, fair manager.

There will be several new rides, she said, using five acres of the site for the rides compared with less than three acres available at the Kiwanis Park on Redwine Road, where previous fairs have been.

The old site covers 40 acres, but most of the space was not available for the fair. Kiwanis donated the park to the county in the 1970s for its recreation programs, and ball fields take up most of the space.

All American Shows will provide the rides as in the past, said Snead, and the firm has promised new rides this year, and still more rides in future years.

The new 20,000-sq. ft. exhibit hall will provide more space for exhibits, and the fair organizers said they are aware that this means they need the community's support.

“We need sponsors, exhibitors, entertainment, everything,” said Snead. The old fairgrounds had room for only about 20 vendors. Now there will be room for 70 to 100.

Those who participate will be guaranteed better traffic than in the past, too. The exhibit hall will be set up so that fair visitors must pass by the exhibits in order to get to the midway, said Snead. “Every person must walk by that vendor,” she said.

Businesses and organizations who want to participate can phone 770-719-3530.

Organizers also hope to beef up the old-fashioned arts, crafts and home cooking aspects of the fair this year. “That's been going downhill,” admitted VanLand-ingham. “We want the jams and jellies, arts and crafts back into the fair big time.”

Entries are free, and winners will receive prizes, said Snead.

Among new attractions this year will be:

ä 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.

ä A Wednesday youth rally for church youth groups, with discounts 5 - 7 p.m.

ä 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.”

The fair runs Sept. 30 - Oct. 9, with a special opening ceremony Oct. 2. Hours of operation are weekdays 6 - 10 p.m. and Saturdays 1 p.m. to midnight.