LIMA — While the Lady Antebellum and Sam Hunt concert may be generating the most buzz at this year’s Allen County Fair, there are plenty of other new attractions coming up in terms of rides, food vendors and events, according to fair General Manager David Grimm.
“We have a new carnival ride coming called ‘Vertigo,’” he told the Lima Noon Optimist Club on Wednesday. “You may remember the rides where you’d get into two seats hanging by chains, and they would wind it up and the seats would fly up by centrifugal force. This ride is very similar to that, but it goes 80 feet in the air.”
Thrill seekers will also be able to take flight with a new zip line ride coming in from West Virginia.
“It’s a 200-foot line that will be near the senior citizen tent,” Grimm said.
Fairgoers will also be able to enjoy new some new food vendors this year, including Cajun and Chinese options.
“Food is the No. 1 reason people come to the fair,” Grimm said. “It’s the one place where you can legally pig out.”
Several new events will be coming to the fair, such as a championship rodeo Aug. 27, featuring such events as barrel racing and saddlebronc.
“We should have about 160 cowboys,” he said. “We’re really proud to be offering this year.”
The National Truck Pullers Association will also be returning to the fair after a prolonged absence, with the event scheduled for Aug. 24.
“We’re going to run the day after an event in Bowling Green will finish,” Grimm said. “It’s one of the best motorsports shows around.”
For Grimm, offering these new events and attractions is important because he knows that this is the only opportunity some people in the area get to enjoy this kind of atmosphere.
“For many people, this is their Disney,” he said. “Many people can’t spend $700 or $800 to go down to Disney World in Florida, but they can spend less than $100 and come in, feed their family and give them a good day. It’s great, wholesome fun.”
