By Alaina Denean Deshazo | The Selma Times-Journal
With October quickly approaching, it’s almost time to kick off the 60th annual Central Alabama Fair.

The fair is an annual fundraiser for the Selma Lion’s Club, which promotes vision preservation and awareness. The money raised from the annual event goes toward eye exams and glasses for those in the community.

“I give away at least 10 pair [of glasses] a month to people that need them and qualify for it,” said John Haskell, fair manager.

“So that’s 1,200 pair of glasses we give away a year. And that’s glasses plus exams, so if we didn’t have a good year at the fair, there would be no way that we could give that away.”

Like previous years, the fair will feature rides and games, a petting zoo, the Miss Central Alabama Fair Pageant, arts and crafts contests, a sing-off competition and much more.

“We’re looking for a good year again this year,” Haskell said. “We’re always excited to come back. We are looking forward to it all year. It takes us all year to get ready for it, and when it gets here, we’re just glad it’s here.”

The fair grounds will open Monday, Oct. 3 at 5:20 p.m. for youth night. Armbands for rides are $20. The Petite Miss Central Alabama Fair Pageant will be at 6 p.m., followed by the Miss pageant at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 4, the fair will open at 5:30 p.m. The Young Miss Central Alabama Fair will begin at 6 p.m. and the Junior Miss pageant will be at 7:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, Oct. 5, Kids Day will return at 4 p.m. Instead of paying admissions, the Lion’s Club is asking that all school-aged children bring a can of food for the local food pantry. Armbands will be  $20.

Thursday, Oct. 6, the gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and the Central Alabama Sing Off will begin at 7 p.m. under the pavilion.

Friday, Oct. 7, the fair will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the final day Saturday, Oct. 8, the fair will open at 1 p.m. The Lion’s Club family day will be the last day from 1-5 p.m. Ride armbands will be $20. The Tiny Miss Central Alabama Fair Pageant will begin at 2 p.m., followed by Little Miss at 4 p.m. The 4-H chicken chain will begin 3 p.m.

Admission is $5 for ages 6 and up, and free for children 5 and under. The fair is located at 2401 West Dallas Avenue. For more information about the fair or to get competition forms, visit www.centralalabamafair.com.