State Fair is back, rides in full swing

Driving down McDowell Road in Phoenix usually isn’t very exciting. But, with the Arizona State Fair making its 125th annual appearance on Oct. 16 through Nov. 8, the bright lights are attracting people like moths to a bug zapper.

Instantly upon entering the fair your senses are overwhelmed. Bright lights, carnies pitching their games and the smell of fried food is enough to make you think you’re a child again.

 This year's festivities include the usual gut-wrenching rides, carnival games, live music and of course, all the food you would avoid if you weren’t at the fair.

Jason Lane and Ashleigh Wiedman stood at a table next to a food vendor, exchanging romantic looks and feeding each other unrecognizable fried something.

 “The concerts are my favorite part,” said Lane.

This year's musical acts consist of Bob Dylan, Stone Temple Pilots, The Black Crowes and Raven Symone.

“The sound is really good,” said Wiedman.  “We both love Stone Temple Pilots.”

Some people go to the fair for the simplest of reasons, like Arlene Martinez, 22.

“I like to have fun,” said Martinez. “So I go to the fair almost everyday it’s open.” 

The rides seem to scream turn of the 20th century boardwalk carnivals, especially the four ferris wheels. The vomit-inducing rides themselves are enough to entice thrill-seekers of any age, like 14-yearold Selina Chagnon.

“I love the rides, especially the ones that make you feel sick,” said Chagnon. 

Other than the rides, some things that quintessentially remind people of the fair are the various foods.  There are the standard hotdogs, corndogs, popcorn and cotton candy.  There is also food that isn’t exactly for the faint of heart.

 These are foods like chocolate- covered mealworms and crickets, deep fried bacon, and chocolate covered bacon.

The Southwestern crowd favorite though is chocolate covered scorpions.  An excited employee at the chocolate-covered scorpion booth said they ran out in just three days and had to order more.

Entertainment can be found just about anywhere at the fair.

“We love to walk around and look at the shops,” said Wiedman.  Adding, “We also like to people watch; the fair attracts some crazy people.”

So if you like carnival games, illness-inducing rides, deep-fried and chocolate-covered food, or just like people watching, go to the state fair.

Located on 17th Avenue and McDowell, the fair is open Tuesdays through Sundays until Nov. 8.

Visit www.azstatefair.com for more information.