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There is only one place in Atlanta where people can see the city’s skyline, plunge from a tall tower, spin on a carousel, win a prize for their sweetheart and taste all the flavors on the midway, and through April 3, the annual Atlanta Fair remains just that place. Becky Ward, Fun Director for the Atlanta Fair tells co-hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick all about it on today’s Around Atlanta segment of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio.
For starters, Becky says that fairs used to be big community events designed to exhibit the newest technology, commercial ware, businesses and of course, the products from harvest. People packed up their carriages and carts to trundle to town for the fair. She says that Piedmont Park was designed and created specifically as fairgrounds in the 1800s to bring industry and trade to Atlanta. The first Ferris wheel was built for use at the Chicago World’s Fair. The light bulb was first shown at the same fair, in 1893.
Today, people visit fairs for so much more. Becky says that some people come for the nostalgia or the rides, others for the food, and still more for the games. Whatever the reason, she explains that there is something for everyone. The midway is a half mile of classic rides such as bumper cars and Ferris wheels, as well as new tall rides where guests are “dropping, twirling and spinning upside down.” Guests can take great upside down photos of the Atlanta skyline and post them to the fair’s Facebook page. Young children can ride cars, boats and more, and this year there is even a wave surf shack.
Children under 42 inches get into the fair for $1 and everyone else can get in for $3 to $8 depending on the day and time of day. Becky has some good tips about attending the fair. She says make sure to check the Facebook page about any possible closures due to weather, and pick up half price tickets on Thursday at Boost Mobile locations. There is also a student discount. Midway ride tickets can be purchased once inside the park.
To learn more about the Atlanta Fair, listen to today’s episode and check out the website or Facebook page.
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