Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
LADSON — For the last 46 years, the Coastal Carolina Fair has brought carnival rides, sideshow attractions and agricultural competitions to the Exchange Park Fairgrounds. The festivities are back yet again, from the colorful swirl of the Ferris wheel to flashing lights advertising elephant ears to the lakefront stage blasting live country music. This year, the fair runs Oct. 30-Nov. 9. One former Exchange Club president has been a part of the fun almost since the beginning. It's Joe Bolchoz' 41st fair. He started out selling tickets, then worked in advertising, then entertainment, then media and public relations. Now retired, he stays involved behind-the-scenes. He remembers one brave TV anchor riding a camel, another racing donkeys. Back in the late ’70s, he recalls the very start of the fried food craze, when people were lined up for fried Twinkies and Snickers Bars. Fellow long-timer Gary Leonard, who's been at the fair for over two decades now, revisits the hit scorpion pizza from a few years back and the mainstay turkey legs. "There's no diet on the fairgrounds," Bolchoz shared with a laugh. "Once a year even my cardiologist gives me a pass." Leonard and Bolchoz have met many interesting people over the years, from the traveling acts to returning guests — including one woman from Florida, now in her 50s, who's traveled to the Coastal Carolina Fair every year since she was a little girl. "There can be all kinds of stuff happening in the outside world around us, but what we do with the fair is try to make it a nice place to have fun for the community," said Bolchoz. Leonard added, "It's so rewarding to see people just have a great time together." Another year of great times awaits. What's new this year A few exciting new rides will be gracing the skyline this year at the Coastal Carolina Fair, according to the Exchange Club's current media representative J. Wallace. Among them are the windmill-like Lightning and the biggest-yet Mega-Drop. On the food front, there will be Nashville hot fried pickles, loaded popcorn chicken, blueberry-flavored lemonade and the "Campfire Burger.” At the Ye Ole Fashioned stand, find the "Pig Trough" — a banana split with six scoops of ice cream. And as for shows, a seal performance is in store. Plus the popular Southern Soul Night will be returning, along with music acts that include Colt Ford, The Yacht Club, George Birge, Queen Nation, La Alianza Nortena, Bluffett, Richie & the High Street Rockers, Craig Campbell and Preston Cooper. Parking Also new this year is limited, paid VIP parking by Gate 1 to bypass a good bit of traffic at the main entrance. Weekday VIP parking is $10, and weekend VIP parking is $20. This can be purchased online in advance at the Coastal Carolina Fair website, coastalcarolinafair.org/p/tickets--deals. All other parking is free. In addition, there will be a pedicab service this year to take you to your car. Wallace suggests coming on weekdays or earlier on weekends for less traffic and faster parking. Tickets Tickets are available online or in-person at Circle K and the fairgrounds. Buying tickets in advance will save you some money. Through Oct. 29, advanced online admission is $13 for adults and $6 for kids ages 6-12. Ages 5 and under get in free. Advanced online ride wristbands through Oct. 29 are $25. Oct. 30 and onward, prices go up. Adults will get in for $15 and kids ages 6-12 for $7. Ride wristbands will cost $30 at Circle K, at the fair gates and at the midway booth for Mondays through Fridays and $35 for Saturdays and Sundays. More information can be found at coastalcarolinafair.org/p/tickets--deals. Your ticket money is going toward a good cause. The Coastal Carolina Fair supports dozens of nonprofits in the Lowcountry. Last year, $947,502 was raised for 73 different organizations.
