By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Oak Mountain State Fair has brought a plethora of rides, carnival games, food and other attractions to Pelham, bringing thousands of visitors to enjoy the magic the fair can provide.

The fair officially kicked off on Friday, March 21, and will close on Sunday, April 6. The event is closed Monday and Tuesday of each week, and children 35 inches and below get in the event for free.

The fair also has free parking, but provides plenty more for families than simply logistics.

Dozens of rides, including the world’s tallest traveling giant Ferris Wheel, adorn the parking lot of the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. A cavalcade of toys are waiting to be won in various carnival games like ring toss and pop-a-shot. Corndogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy and more food options can sustain both the tall and the small. For those wanting a more natural aspect, the festival also offers live animals in a petting zoo and a sea lion show.

The event is being facilitated by Live Nation and Kissel Entertainment, a traveling amusement park service. Kissel is based out of Clanton, giving the event a local feel.

Ricky attended the festival with his friends from school. He shared some of his favorite moments from the fair.

“Walking in, it’s just incredible,” he said. “There are so many rides, so many games. It feels like you’re at Disney World, but it’s in my backyard.”

Ricky described his favorite game, pop-a-shot, and how he fared at the event.

“My dream is to play in the NBA,” Ricky said. “So, when I get to play a game where I see Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Michael Jordan on the board, it’s just super fun and I had a great time. I made a couple of shots, including one at the buzzer.”

Ricky also added that he and his friends favorite food at the fair is a carnival staple.

“I mean, the food is all pretty good, but you can’t beat a funnel cake,” Ricky said. “It’s hard to find anywhere else but at places like this, and it tastes great as usual.”

With a wry grin covered in powdered sugar, Ricky confides with me a secret.

“Just don’t tell my mom that I’m eating this right now,” he said. “She told me to go easy tonight, and I’m doing the opposite.”

For more information on the fair, visit Oakmountainstatefair.com.