Try a taste of the Alabama National Fair, then come back for so much more
Maybe this year the Alabama National Fair should change its slogan to “The 11 best days of fall.”
Step right up, folks, and enjoy part of the fair in Montgomery a day early. Before the rides, the circus, the games, the attractions, the concerts and more start Friday at the fairgrounds by Garrett Coliseum, they’re bringing one of the most awesome parts about fair time a day early: the food!
On Thursday at 5 p.m., Alabama National Fair will open the gates for its first Taste of the Fair. For $30 a person, guests can enter the fairgrounds and try out some of their favorite fair foods from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
“Most of our food vendors are participating in it. They’ll have samples of the fair foods,” said Randy Stephenson, the fair’s general manager. “Common Bond will be out here with some samples of some brew tastes.”
It’s a benefit for the Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama.
“We’re looking forward to it and hoping everything goes well with it and we’ll raise some money for Cancer Wellness,” Stephenson said.
A link to get tickets can be found at alnationalfair.org.
On top of Thursday’s visit, Taste of the Fair guests get to come back for another day of fun during the fair’s regular 10 day run from Oct. 6-15.
“Your ticket is good for a return visit to the fair on any night you want to,” Stephenson said.
Rides and special attractions
When the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery's Alabama National Fair kicks off Friday, guest will experience a mix of familiar favorite attractions.
The midway rides are back courtesy of Wade Shows, and they’ve got ones like the Fireball that’ll thrill, or the giant Ferris Wheel or Carousel where you can chill. There’s lots of fun for little kids also.
The area is also home to special attractions, like the Swifty Swine pig racing and the always amazing Zerbini Family Circus. There’s also a bunch that’s new this time:
The Butterfly Kingdom exhibit, set up on the coliseum floor.
Robot Ranger: “He’s a tractor transformer. He’s like nine feet tall,” Stephenson said.
A live stingray encounter you can touch.
A live shark encounter (you probably don’t want to touch this one).
The WOW! Water Circus: “It’s a brand new show. It’s got a jet-ski involved,” Stephenson said. “They’re going to do acrobatics and stuff like that.”
See the full schedule online at alnationalfair.org.
Money Machine cash giveaways
“We’re going to be giving away money every day,” Stephenson said.
Of course, he’s referring to the Money Machine. It’s a wind machine set up on the coliseum stage that sends cash flying around people selected to try it. If you can grab it, you can keep it.
“I think we’ve got a total of $20,000 that’ll go through it throughout the week,” Stephenson said.
Money Machine times include:
Friday, Oct. 6: 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 7: 6 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 8: 6 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 9: 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 10: 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 11: 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 12: Senior adults 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., regular giveaway 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct.13: 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 6 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: 6 p.m.
There's also Kids Money Machine giveaways. It’s a chance for the young’uns to make a grab at flying Fair Bucks.
Saturday, Oct. 7: 10:30 a.m., 12:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 8: 2:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 9: 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 2:30 p.m.
Concerts and more on the outdoor stage
There’s a lot to listen to, including three locals who made it to the national spotlight on TV singing competitions.
Speaking of those, the Alabama National Fair has its own “American Idol” singing competition, with the winners getting a guaranteed audition with the show’s producers. So catch them here, and you might see them later on your TV.
Here’s this year’s outdoor stage schedule:
Friday, Oct. 6: Webb Dalton 7 p.m
Saturday, Oct. 7: American Idol semi-finalist 3 p.m., K-Pop competition 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 8: Denaron 7 p.m., Ginuwine 7:45 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 9: American Idol semi-finalist 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 10: Praise Night 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 11: JJ Weeks 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 12: Steel CuZ’n 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 13: Local bands courtesy of 95.1 The Fox 7 p.m.
Saturday: Oct. 14: American Idol semi-finalist 1 p.m.; Jerome Godwin III (from “The Voice”) 6 p.m., Ryley Tate Wilson (from “The Voice”) 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: American Idol finale 3 p.m., Lady K (from “American Idol”) 7 p.m.
Admission and special happenings
Special admission deals and activities this year include:
Friday, Oct. 6: Fair opens 4 p.m., and midway opens at 5 p.m. $1 admission with a non-perishable donation for the Heart of Alabama Food Bank. Midway special: $1 per ride or $40 wristband.
Saturday, Oct. 7: Fair opens 9 a.m., and midway opens 11 a.m. Fair admission $15. Wristband $40.
Sunday, Oct. 8: $15 admission. Fair opens 11 a.m., and midway opens 1 p.m. Sensory friendly time from 1-3 p.m. Wristband $40.
Monday, Oct. 9: $7 admission for School Day. Kids get a chance to go into the Money Machine for Fair Bucks at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 10: School tours 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wear pink for cancer awareness and get $7 admission. Regular admission $15. Wristband $20.
Wednesday, Oct. 11: Special Friends Day 9 a.m. Regular admission $15. Fair opens 4 p.m., and midway 5 p.m. Wristband $35.
Thursday, Oct. 12: Senior Day brings $5 admission from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for those over 55. Senior bingo 11 a.m. It’s also Throwback Thursday: get $7 admission after 4 p.m. when you dress in your favorite clothes from decades past.
Friday, Oct. 13: $7 admission when you bring pet supplies fort area humane shelters. Regular admission $15. Quilt day 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Fair opens 4 p.m., and midway opens 5 p.m. Wristbands $40.
Saturday, Oct 14: Regular admission $15. Fair opens 9 a.m., and midway opens 11 a.m. Robotics competition at 9:15 a.m. on the coliseum stage.
Sunday, Oct. 15: Regular admission $15. Fair opens 11 a.m., and midway opens 1 p.m. $40 wristband. Sensory friendly 1-3 p.m. Alabama’s Best Pecan Pie (coliseum stage) 3 p.m. Flag retirement ceremony 6 p.m.
The Alabama National Fair also has a special deal this year. All current military, veterans, and first responders get free admission to the fair through it’s entire 10 day run.
Sensory friendly Sundays: Oct. 8 and 14: From 1-3 p.m., the fair will have a more sensory friendly environment for family members with autism and sensory processing disorders. No flashing lights, music or announcements at vendors of Kiddie Land. Sound will be lowered on the outdoor stage and entertainment areas (racing pigs, shark encounter, WOW Water Circus, and more). Announcements on grounds will be limited and volume lowered.
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Food night kicks off 11 days of Alabama National Fair
