(Forsyth County, GA) The Cumming Country Fair & Festival, a fall family tradition, is finally back in town. This is the regional fair’s 28th year. More than 225,000 people will visit the fair over the 11 days from October 6-16.
Many Forsyth County families look forward to the fair all year long. But with more than 40 rides, games, concerts, daily attractions, and, of course, all kinds of fair foods from funnel cakes to giant turkey legs, the fair can sometimes be a little overwhelming. With that in mind, here’s our list of the top tips for families attending the fair this year.
Admission
Children 10 and under get free admission every day, but kids 11 and over and adults must pay $10 each. However, families can save on these fees with a little planning thanks to the fair’s various admission specials:
- Monday, Oct. 10: Free admission for 18 and under during Student Night
- Wednesday, Oct. 12: Free admission for all ages courtesy of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Saturday, Oct. 15: Free admission for all ages from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Sunday, Oct. 16: Free admission all day for active, reserve, or retired military veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders (with a valid ID) and free admission for 18 and under with the school coupon from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm only
Tickets
All moms and dads know how quickly costs can add up when kids are begging to try every ride or game. Fortunately, the fair also offers some ride specials for savvy spending on tickets:
- Monday, Oct. 10: $20 unlimited rides per person for Student Night
- Tuesday, Oct. 11: $20 unlimited rides per person
- Wednesday, Oct. 12: $20 unlimited rides per person
- Friday, Oct. 14: $25 unlimited rides per person
- Saturday, Oct. 15: Free rides from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm, and $30 per person for unlimited rides after that (valid until close, but you must purchase between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm)
- Sunday, Oct. 16: Free rides from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm with the school coupon and $30 unlimited rides per person
Parents – don’t forget to check out the height requirement list for each ride ahead of time to avoid disappointments!
Best Activities for Families
In addition to the rides and games, the Cumming Country Fair & Festival offers many fun and interesting daily activities. A few of them are even educational - go ahead and sneak in some learning in between the cotton candy and corn dogs. Here are some top picks:
- North Georgia Petting Zoo: This attraction is open every day during fair hours. Kids can get up close and personal with a variety of animals including cows, goats, llamas, rabbits, chickens, and turkeys. Don’t forget the hand sanitizer!
- Native Indian Village: Available all day on Saturdays and Sundays only, kids can learn about Native American history and way of life through traditional performances, demonstrations, and displays.
- Puppy Pal Show: Perfect for pet lovers, the family-friendly Puppy Pal show features adopted and rescue dogs performing awe-inspiring tricks and stunts. There’s plenty of safe-for-kids humor too. Showtimes are Monday-Friday 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm and Saturday-Sunday at 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm, and 8:00 pm.
- Robocars Entertainment: Does your kid love Transformers? Be on the lookout for Robocars, life-sized transforming robot vehicles. The Robocars will be roaming the fairgrounds daily, but check out the Andean Chevrolet booth for picture opportunities.
- Magic Man TJ Hill: Kids who enjoy magic performances won’t want to miss TJ Hill’s show, which is returning to the fair for another year. Showtimes are Monday-Friday at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm and Saturday-Sunday at 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 7:00 pm.
If you want to plan a route ahead of time, here’s a map of where all the attractions will be. For example, you might want to visit rides before games so you’re not lugging around the giant panda bear your child inexplicably wins onto the Ferris wheel with you. First aid stations are located near the gate and, perhaps with some foresight, near the sawmill. There are four restrooms; one adjacent to the carnival midway, two near the concert arena (and conveniently near the petting zoo), and one right next to the pig races.
What fair activity is your favorite? Comment below or email kbondwriter@gmail.com to let us know.
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