Like Tea Cups + catfish sundaes.

We’re officially less than one week ‘til the S.C. State Fair (Oct. 11-22) – only 5 days until we’re eating fried Oreos, making our S.O. win us that giant stuffed emoji in the ring toss + taking in views of Willy-B from the top of the Ferris wheel.

Here are 6 [new] things we’re most excited about this year:

1. 🍭 Weird new foods

Buffalo chicken gyros | First off, you can never go wrong with anything buffalo flavored.

Catfish sundaes | Not gonna lie, catfish + french fries topped with spicy remoulade + tartar sauce doesn’t sound half bad. (And it’s pescetarian friendly. 👌)

More freaky fried things here.

2.🎡 Fresh rides

BulletTrain | roller coaster topping out at 33 ft. high, with high-speeds + sharp turns

Rock Star | swings back + forth, high + higher, until it drops and you lose your stomach

Thunderbolt | moves backwards + forwards over multiple hills – with high-speeds, music blaring + lights flashing

Alpine Funhouse | moving floors, rubber band maze, punching bags, trick mirrors + a rotating barrel for kids + adults

Wipeout | makes you feel like you’re riding the ocean’s waves (people who get seasick, beware)

Monkey Maze Fun House | two-story fun house for kids

Tea Cups | Alice in Wonderland-themed tea cup ride that spins at your desire

Double-deck merry go round | exactly what you think: a two-level merry-go-round

3.🎤 Live concerts

Brothers Osborne | Wednesday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m. | $15

Keith Sweat | Friday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m. | $15

Chris Young | Monday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. | $30

ZZ Top | Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. | $25

TobyMac | Friday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. | $15

Sabrina Carpenter | Sunday, Oct. 22, 5 p.m. | $15

4.⚜ Mardi Gras arts exhibit

FOLKFabulous (in the Rosewoods Bldg.) is a partnership with UofSC’s McKissick museum + its yearlong exhibition WELL SUITED: The Costumes of Alonzo V. Wilson for HBO’s® Treme. There’s a jam-packed Mardis Gras-themed schedule filled with live bluegrass + jazz bands, several parades, hands-on basket making, a King Cake decorating demo, hip-hop art, a multicultural fashion show and tons more.

More arts exhibits here.

5.🐫 Camel Kingdom

A brand-new, educational exhibit with 13 camels (of all different types) that also offers camel rides. Whole new meaning of hump day right here.

6.⚠ Revamped ride safety

S.C. State Fair hired a third-party inspector to do daily ride inspections, in addition to the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation checking all the rides before the fair opens.

My personal fav Fair foods are caramel apples with rainbow sprinkles, those hot + fresh Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, and looking at all the art – especially the paintings + photography (so much talent in the Palmetto State).

Pro tip: Always meet at the giant rocket if you ever get lost from your crew. 🚀 And leave your selfie sticks + drones at home… they’re on the items not permitted list. 🙅

See y’all there,

–Sam

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