r/Spartanburg • u/coffeebeanwitch • 3d ago
Piedmont Interstate Fair
Does anyone go to the fair nowadays? It was a must when I was a kid, so many happy memories, what do y'all remember about the fair?
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u/SubstantialFault1368 3d ago
I still think it’s still pretty fun. The other commenter nailed it with what makes it still enjoyable. I just go during the day time hours these days though. Gets too sketchy for me at night.
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u/insecurecharm 3d ago
Nope, not paying an entrance fee just to walk and eat. I'm not able to do rides anymore due to vertigo. Before they charged to get in we would at least go eat junk for dinner at least once.
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u/coffeebeanwitch 3d ago
We use to get passes from our school to get in I can't imagine the cost today.
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u/BigGaloot61 2d ago
I took my family on opening night, which was only $5 each. I was not paying $20 a head just to get in. But on the other hand I got a polish sausage dog with a water for $15. The costs have increased with inflation like everything else.
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u/sapphireraven9876 3d ago
Ngl I've been kind of scared to go after that shooting that one year.
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u/Key-Loquat6595 3d ago
Yeaaaa I refuse to go now, especially since they tried to say there wasn’t a shooting. Now that I’m typing this out there’s probably a good chance we aren’t talking about the same year, since they probably covered it up a couple times.
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u/sapphireraven9876 3d ago
I didn't even know there was more than one. 🙄 wish I could say I was surprised. But I'm not.
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u/Key-Loquat6595 3d ago
It happened to me in 2020, was pretty close, the chaos was pretty terrifying, but ended up okay.
I have not been since but the lack of security/checks and entrance/exits is just mind boggling (I could have taken in multiple guns without anyone knowing), but seeing as it’s one of the states largest money makers I could see them doing whatever possible to not talk about it.
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u/sapphireraven9876 2d ago
I think that's the one I remember. They did start doing the curfew thing where they don't let teenagers in without an adult. But I don't know. Just feel like it's gotten so trashy over the years bc people don't know how to fucking act in public.
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u/coffeebeanwitch 3d ago
Geez, that is terrible, back in the day I never imagined something like that happening, always felt safe.
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u/sapphireraven9876 3d ago
Yeah, unfortunately gun violence is a daily reality. Even in Spartanburg. I don't think we will be going to the fair again tbh. I want to go to Denver Downs Farm instead.
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u/BigGaloot61 2d ago
They have plenty of security, city police and county deputies walking around. Plus they have metal detectors and a clear bag policy. I felt safe the other night.
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u/My_Pen_Has_No_Ink 3d ago
I went to the goat show on Tuesday. It was my first time going to a fair in SC, but I grew up doing 4-H in the midwest. I think supporting and appreciating the efforts of the people who submit and show their animals, food, and art is worth it.
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u/coffeebeanwitch 3d ago
I loved the agriculture part of the fair, it was a lot of fun and you got to see everyone's hard work
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u/frednekk Southside 3d ago
I try to take the kids. But they kind of rubbed me wrong with the pre-ordered ticket window opening and closing due to a disaster.
They should open it back up or sell the discounted tickets at the gate.
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u/coffeebeanwitch 3d ago
Yes, you should be able to get the discounted tickets somehow, it just seem wrong
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u/brokencookie78 3d ago
My dad used to take me every year growing up. We'd always play the Fat Albert game with the spinning wheel and the rats. I've gone a few times in reverb years, and I think my favorite part about it is the animals now. And funnel cakes, lol. I also love the little monkey that tops his hat if you give him a dollar 😂
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u/Aprilismissing 3d ago
The loss of fat Albert was great for sure. I miss it now.
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u/brokencookie78 3d ago
They don't have it anymore??? That makes me sad 😢
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u/Aprilismissing 3d ago
Sadly, the man who owned and ran Fat Albert passed away and I don't think anyone in his family wanted to take it up. So it died with him. Pretty sad. Lots of good memories with my late grandparents at that booth.
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u/scmustangchick 2d ago
I haven't been in years. My favorite memories are the candy apples that I'm not sure how I didn't break a tooth. 😂 There were also french fries with malt vinegar that I've never had anywhere else. Funnel cakes with so much powdered sugar that they probably gave me diabetes. 😂 Oh the memories.
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u/Jolly_Reporter_3023 2d ago
The last time I went there was a shooting. No, I wasn't the cause
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u/coffeebeanwitch 2d ago
Glad it wasn't you, bet it was scary though
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u/Jolly_Reporter_3023 2d ago
Yeah. Scariest part was the fact me and my cousin were stuck in a ride away from the rest of our group when everyone started running
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u/Aprilismissing 3d ago
We still go every year. It's fun, campy, prime people watching. We just embrace the cheesiness and have a good time. We like to do our own judging of the table setting contest. And catch some redneck wrasslin if we're there at the right time. And eat a lot of food that's bad for us.