The St. Lucie County Fair opens its gates Friday at 4 p.m., marking the event’s 60th year with thrill rides, a petting zoo, livestock exhibits and a demolition derby. <\/p>\n
WATCH BELOW: Jeanne Keaton shows WPTV’s Tyler Hatfield around fair grounds<\/p>\n
Fair officials said they are expecting between 110,000 and 130,000 attendees, weather permitting.<\/p>\n
Jeanne Keaton, one of 300 to 400 fair volunteers, said preparations have been underway for the past three days.<\/p>\n
“It’s been bam, bam, bam,” Keaton said. “I go home, come back to work, and I’m like, ‘Oh, four more things are up.'”<\/p>\n
The 60th year will bring new entertainment alongside familiar favorites, including the rodeo, petting zoo and livestock exhibits.<\/p>\n
“We have about 600,” Keaton said, “involving horses, pigs, rabbits, whatever size.”<\/p>\n
I walked the fairgrounds with Keaton, who noted that many of the 80 vendors have been returning to the fair for years.<\/p>\n
“The grandmother started it, the sons took over, the grandsons took over, we have one on the midway that’s four generations,” Keaton said.<\/p>\n
The midway will feature 45 rides this year, ranging from children’s attractions to large thrill rides.<\/p>\n
“We come into town with 45 rides, everything from kiddie rides, all the way to big thrill rides,” Marty Biniasz with Strate’s Shows said.<\/p>\n
Biniasz said his staff has been putting finishing touches on rides and carnival games ahead of opening day.<\/p>\n
“We’ve been working closely going through the inspection process to make sure that everything’s ready for opening day,” Biniasz said.<\/p>\n
As St. Lucie County continues to develop, Keaton said the fair’s agricultural roots remain a priority.<\/p>\n
“We still have to maintain that,” Keaton said. “We will preserve agriculture and we will teach agriculture at this fair.”<\/p>\n