Besides the children's area, which has been expanded this year, there will be daily shows like Frisco's Circus, the J.J. Huggles Kid's Show, Uncle Lenny and his monkeys, and Blaze the balloon-blowing goat.

The Lost Kiddie Colony might sound like a good time, but this is where lost children will be escorted. It's outside the main fair office.

Fair fare
Do you smell it? It's the sweet mix of cotton candy, fried dough and corn dogs. The food at the fair promises to clog your arteries but be fried deliciousness.

The fair offers your typical fair food: Polish sausages, funnel cakes and corn on the cob. See next week's Link for a special on fair food.

Ferris Wheels
With a new amusement park company running the show, there are more rides to experience including The Crazy Mouse, The Bonzi, The Wave Swinger and The Fireball.

Animals & autos
Rides are not the only source of entertainment at the fair.

The free rodeo returns on Sunday, Sept. 4, and Monday, Sept. 5, with bull riding, calf roping, cowgirl barrel racing and rodeo pageantry.

There's also the Enduro classic race where the objective is to be the last car running.

Cars that have been wrecked or are out of service are left on the racetrack to create obstacles for other racers.

The race will take place at 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 2.

More cars will be present for the Upstate's Largest Cruise In. The Catalinas will provide the music for an evening of classic car showcasing at 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 4.

And back to cows. Livestock shows at the Upstate show will feature four different types of animals.

Dairy show 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. Goat show 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5. Swine show

5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7. Beef show 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8.

Lots of music
Two stages at the fair will have national and local acts.

Main Stage, Starting at 7 p.m.
Silvertide, Thursday, Sept. 8
Grand Funk Railroad, Friday, Sept. 9
FF, Saturday, Sept. 10
Trick Pony, Sunday, Sept. 11

Upstate Stage, Starting at 5 p.m.
The McKelvie Band, Friday, Sept. 2
MANIC Depression, Saturday, Sept. 3
Left of Center, Sunday, Sept. 4
Captured, Monday, Sept. 5

Hours of Operation
5 p.m.-until, Thursday Sept. 1
4 p.m.-until, Friday Sept. 2
Noon-until, Saturday, Sept. 3
Noon-until, Sunday, Sept. 4
Noon-until, Monday, Sept. 5
5 p.m.-until, Tuesday, Sept. 6
4 p.m.-until, Wednesday, Sept. 7
4 p.m.-until, Thursday, Sept. 8
4 p.m.-until, Friday, Sept. 9
Noon-until, Saturday, Sept. 10
Noon-until, Sunday, Sept. 11

Directions
From downtown Greenville: Take Highway 123 toward Easley. Drivers will approach the Upper S.C. State Fairgrounds on the right at the intersection with Highway 124.
From Spartanburg: Take Interstate 85 to Exit 40 (Powdersville, Easley). Go right onto Highway 153. About five miles to Highway 123. Go right, and the fairgrounds will be about 2 miles on the left at the intersection with SC Highway 124.

Parking
The Greenville Jaycees will be on hand to help people with the parking so all fairgoers need to know is that they have to enter via the Highway 123 main entrance. Handicapped parking is available as well.

Do not bring
Pets, bottles, coolers, bicycles, roller blades or skates, skateboards and alcohol.

Staff writer Ana Parra can be reached at 298-3766.