Every October, people of all ages descend upon our capital city, Columbia, to attend the South Carolina State Fair. The wide variety of exhibits, thrilling rides, and unique food – such as chocolate-covered bacon, doughnut burgers, and even fried cola – draws visitors from near and far!


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. Consequently, the buildings were 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 home on Elmwood and moved to its current location on Bluff Road in 1904. Williams-Brice Stadium, home of South Carolina's fighting Gamecocks, was built across the street from the fair in 1934. The fairgrounds have since become an important part of the school's tailgating tradition. Many fall weekends in Columbia include a trip to the fair and a college football game.

Many thanks to photographer and frequent contributor Paul Gowder of Lexington for submitting these wonderful pictures to SCIWAY! If you have any photos or information to add about SC fairs, we'd love to hear from you!

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