Every October, people of all ages descend on Columbia and attend the South Carolina State Fair. The wide variety of exhibits, thrilling rides, and unique food – such as chocolate covered bacon, fried coke, fried twinkies, and even fried candy bars – draw visitors from around our state.
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The State Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina, a non-profit group with origins dating back to 1839, is credited with the establishment of the South Carolina State Fair and continues to operate it today. It is important to note however, that even though it is called the "state fair" it is actually not state owned and receives no financial support from the state government.
The society's main objective is to promote the material, educational, agricultural and industrial interests of the state. They achieve this by donating the majority of their proceeds to charitable organizations throughout South Carolina.
The fairgrounds were originally located on Elmwood Avenue in Columbia. When the Civil War broke out, the buildings on the fairgrounds were used by confederate forces to manufacture ammunition. The buildings were consequently burned down in 1865 when Sherman's army marched through Columbia.
The Agricultural and Mechanical Society reconstructed the buildings with money received from selling life memberships to their club. The fair soon outgrew its land on Elmwood Ave and moved to its current location on Bluff Road in 1904. Williams-Brice Stadium, home of the fighting Gamecocks, was built across the street from the fair in 1934 and has become part of the school's tailgating tradition. Many fall weekends in Columbia include a trip to the fair and a college football game.
Today, the South Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical Society owns 6 buildings which offer more than 125,000 square feet of exhibit space. Shows, exhibits, and events are held here throughout the entire year, but the fair is by far its most popular event. Over 600,000 people attend the fair every year!
Many thanks to Paul Gowder, for submitting this picture he took in October 2009.
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