Point: Sydney Davenport
Whether you like a good deep-fried Oreo or not, the fair is not something to pass up. With the Carolina Classic Fair coming to town Sept. 29 to Oct. 8, comes the debate of to fair or not to fair. I would choose to fair every day of the week, and go against the fair haters
If I have to choose just one thing that I could not pass up, that is a lemonade. That is the most important stop hands down. It could taste like absolutely nothing, but I will pay $9 for a cup of water with smashed lemons and a cup and a half of sugar. It is a taste that makes me feel like I am back in my small town as a child at our local county fair walking to the Tilt-a-Whirl, knowing that the lemonade might come right back up. Next stop of course is french fries and a funnel cake. You cannot go to the fair without getting at least one piece of fried food. Calorie counting and worries of sugar intake have to officially go out the window. You can worry about all that on Oct. 9, or better yet just wait till after Halloween. Walking the line of food trucks and stopping for a little bit of everything is one of the best things to do. While the lines may be long, the rides are definitely worth the wait. What makes those whirling and twirling attractions more thrilling is that they are set up and secured in less than a week, nothing gets more exhilarating than that. I am more suited for rides like the Zipper, the Tilt-a-Whirl, or the Thunderbolt, but there are more lowkey options for the faint of heart. You can choose from the Giant Wheel, The Haunted Mansion, or Pop A Wheelie. A good balance of both thrill and chill is the best option. If you are not one for the rides or the food, and you have mastered the fair games don’t you worry they have the perfect stop for you. I am not one for the games (they’re rigged), but some have an innate ability to secure those prizes. A giant teddy bear or Squishmallow may be the apple of your eye when you travel to the fair. If you need a break from all the excitement from the activities, you can always wander over to the grandstands any night of the week and catch a different form of entertainment. Depending on the night you might get to see a rodeo, demolition derby or a concert. Fair attendees can also catch a glimpse of the livestock shows throughout the week. Cattle, pigs and lambs are the animals you can put your eye on. To top it all off, each evening you can watch a wonderful firework show. Pro-tip watching them from the top of the Giant Wheel or the Wave Swinger might be the best ending to the evening before heading home for the night. The fair is a wonderful experience throughout the entire night. Whether you are looking for a nice stroll down the lane of food trucks or a thrill of the exhilarating rides, you’re going to have a good time every time.
Counterpoint: Caroline Lowe
I love fall and most of the cozy fashion and festive events that come with it, but I have one major exception: the fair. I’ve yet to find any redeeming qualities for the fair, and I’d consider every aspect of it subpar at best. Many people love the fair for the rides, food and overall atmosphere but personally, I would rather be anywhere else. I don’t trust any attraction that can be assembled in a matter of hours and I’m not willing to risk my safety for a 30-second ride that was designed for people under the age of ten. You might as well head to Carowinds if you’re looking for a rollercoaster that is both thrilling and safe. The food is a particularly sore spot for me, as I contracted food poisoning at a young age due to some sort of food from the fair that should be kept as far away from a deep fryer as possible. I don’t understand why vendors feel the need to deep fry every food under the sun, and you’re sure to spend a considerable amount of time in the unsanitary Porta-Potties after consuming any of it. I also think the ambience of the fair can be compared to that of a middle school dance crossed with a poorly run daycare: filled with screaming children and pre-teens trying to escape their parents’ supervision. The area itself is littered with trash and spilled food, leaving an overall environment that I can only describe as “icky.” I understand many people might have fond childhood memories connected to the fair, but it’s unrealistic to think that nostalgia could outweigh my disdain. There are better things I could be doing in my free time other than wandering around a crowded incubator for germs.
