PERRY, Ga. — The Georgia National Fair is set to open its gates Thursday, bringing an atmosphere of excitement to Perry just days after Hurricane Helene swept through parts of the state.
As vendors from across the country scramble to set up their booths, fair organizers remain optimistic about the eleven-day event, which is expected to draw over 500,000 visitors.
"We were preparing for the worst, but always hoping for the best," said Maggie Lane, marketing director for the fair. "We are so fortunate, especially here in Perry. Very little effects from Hurricane Helene."
The fair's resilience in the face of recent challenges highlights its significance to both the local community and vendors who travel from afar. Brian Gillette, owner of Gillette's Pizza from North Carolina, has been a fixture at the fair for three decades.
"We've been doing the fair for about 30 years now," Gillette said. "We're kind of popular for the dill pickle pizza, pickle bacon ranch, big pepperoni."
For many vendors, the Georgia National Fair is a cornerstone of their annual business.
"It's a really big event. It's kind of a feather in your cap to be in here," Gillette said. "We look forward to it every year."
The fair's diverse offerings extend beyond food. Spencer Baddley from Eudora Farms Petting Zoo in South Carolina is excited to introduce visitors to different types of animals.
"We've got sheep, camels, llamas, goats, all kinds of different critters," Baddley said. "The kids, parents, even grandparents can come out and pet, feed all that stuff."
For those seeking more high-energy entertainment, Lawrence Frederick's Disc Connected K9's show promises to deliver.
"You can expect to see some incredibly athletic dogs that can play frisbee just as good, if not better than any other dogs in the entire world," Frederick said.
At 68, Frederick has been performing since he was 12 and sees the fair as more than just entertainment.
"Maybe coming out to the Georgia National Fair for a day might give them an opportunity to get back to some realism of what life should be about," he said, acknowledging the recent hardships many in the region have faced.
The fair's ability to proceed as planned is a testament to both its importance and the area's fortunate escape from the worst of Hurricane Helene's impact.
"We were very blessed here that the storm didn't affect them as much as other areas," Gillette said.
However, the fair organizers and vendors remain mindful of those who were less fortunate.
"Our heart goes out to everybody that's affected," Gillette added. "If we can provide a little bit of entertainment or a little bit of get away from that for these folks around here, you know, we're happy to help."
"We're just antsy with excitement," Lane exclaimed. "We can't wait to open our doors and gates at 3 p.m. and hopefully attract over 500,000 people and visitors from across the state."
The Georgia National Fair runs from October 3-13. If you wish to find out more, you can head on over to the Georgia National Fair’s website.