As temperatures begin to fall, anticipation starts to build for the Orangeburg County Fair, set for Sept. 28 through Oct. 4 at the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds.

Traditional fair entertainment, food and fun will be on hand for the 99th annual event, which begins at 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28. Patrons will enjoy dozens of shows and rides courtesy of North Carolina-based Smokey Mountain Amusements, and local talent will be featured throughout the week at the Gazebo.

A petting zoo will also be available, as well as exhibitions featuring local art, crafts and food. Other highlights for the week will include a variety of livestock shows.

"I am hoping that everybody is going to use the fairgrounds as an outlet for some family entertainment," fair manager L.C. Kissam said. "I know that times are tough, but that could keep them from going to Columbia or Charleston and going out of town. We have clean, wholesome entertainment."

He said one bright spot this year is lower gasoline prices.

"What happened last year was $4 a gallon," Kissam said. "Really, the success of the fair will depend on whether the local people will come here. And when you are doing some kind of function outside, you are at the mercy of the weather. Once you lose a day to rain, you never make it up."

Kissam said many of the fair's offerings will be the same as in year's past, with a petting zoo and the Hall's Bear Mountain Wildlife Show among the additions.

"We had them (the bears) about nine or 10 years ago," he said. More rides, food vendors and fair novelty items are also expected.

For the kids, Rowdy Rooster will once again make an appearance, Kissam said. Also, motocross and flat-track races are tentatively scheduled for Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Kissam said while some concessionaires have already arrived at the fairgrounds, the bulk of them will set up in the final two weeks before the fair.

Fair officials are already looking into some special events to celebrate the Orangeburg County Fair's 100th year in 2010, which might include special admission rates and a fireworks display commemorating those held in the past, Kissam said.

"Hopefully, it will be bigger and better, and we will try to reflect a little on 100 years ago," he said.

Admission to the Orangeburg County Fair is $6 for youths and adults 13 years of age and older, $4 for children 6 to 12, and free for children under 6.

Season tickets are available for $25. Parking is free all week. Advance ride tickets are available at all Orangeburg and Neeses Piggly Wiggly stores for $10 for 20 tickets. Price after the fair starts is $25.

Patrons can enjoy lunch on the fairgrounds from noon to 2 p.m. daily. Admission will be free at that time to those parking in the lower gate on Magnolia Street. Cars not removed by 2 p.m. will be impounded, and admission will be charged.

For more information on the 99th annual Orangeburg County Fair, visit orangeburgcountyfair.org, or call 803-534-0358 and leave a message with your name and address so information can be mailed, if needed.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

Orangeburg County Fair schedule of events

Monday, Sept. 28

Gates open at 5 p.m.

6:30 p.m. -- AGC Gymnastics (Gazebo)

7 p.m. -- High Steppin Cloggers (Gazebo)

8 p.m. -- Mary Jane's School of Dance (Gazebo)

Tuesday, Sept. 29

Fair open noon to 10:30 p.m.

Student Day -- First-grade through college students admitted free with ID until 6 p.m.

6 p.m. -- "Orangeburg's Got Talent ... Kids!" contest winners (Gazebo)

7 p.m. -- High Steppin Cloggers (Gazebo)

Wednesday, Sept. 30

Fair open noon to 10:30 p.m.

Senior Citizens' Day -- For ages 65 and over

Noon -- Minnie Pearl impersonator Becky Starnes (Gazebo)

12:45 p.m. -- Songs by St. Andrews Kindergarten (Gazebo)

1:30 p.m. -- 4-H/FFA Tractor Driving Contest

6 p.m. -- Jr. Dairy and Commercial Heifer Show (Cattle Barn)

6:00 p.m. -- Cheerleading exhibition featuring local cheerleading squads (Gazebo)

Thursday, Oct. 1

Fair open noon to 10:30 p.m.

6 p.m. -- Junior Beef Cattle Show (Arena Building)

6 p.m. -- God's CopyCats and Speechless Interpretive Movement (Gazebo)

Friday, Oct. 2

Fair open noon to 10:30 p.m.

6 p.m. -- Youth Barrow Show (Arena Building)

Saturday, Oct. 3

Fair open noon to 10:30 p.m.

10 a.m. -- 4-H/FFA Wether Goat Show (Arena Building)

1 p.m. -- S.C. Meat Goat Association Fall Show (Arena Building)

3 p.m. -- Orangeburg Line Dancers (Gazebo)

4 to 6 p.m. -- Cathedrals of the Soul alternative Christian band (Gazebo)

7 p.m. Pure Joy Interpretative Movement (Gazebo)

Sunday, Oct. 4

Fair open 1 to 8 p.m.

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