Coastal Carolina Fair kicks off opening day

LADSON, S.C. (WCBD) – The Coastal Carolina Fair is open for business for the next 11 days starting this Halloween night.

Officials kicked off the fair by hosting an opening ceremony before 3 p.m. This year, some food vendors are bringing new products such as pickled drinks and doughnut floats. There are attractions, entertainment, arts and crafts, and more.

Gary Leonard, co-chairman of the Coastal Carolina Fair, said that he predicts there could be a possible record in attendance.

“When we have great weather, we produce a great number of people.,” Leonard said. “I would think we might hit it between 220 to 240 thousand over our 11-day run of the fair. I think also we have such a great turnout of fans, we also got really great products from our vendors, our entertainers. Just so much going on, there’s something for every family, from the youngest to the oldest.”

Fair leaders encourage fairgoers to come on the weekdays to avoid long lines and big crowds, which is typical on the weekends. There is also a clear-bag policy in effect.

Kim Netterfield is a long-time vendor at the fair and has kept coming back each year. Her and her husband own Netterfield’s Popcorn and Lemonade. They are the third-generation of the family business, which has been at the Coastal Carolina Fair for 61 years.

“Well, the business is good, the people are very friendly,” Netterfield said. “It’s our last fair before we go home to Florida, so its end of the season so we always look forward to that. Just the atmosphere, people in Charleston love the fair, so it’s nice to come.”

At the end of the fair, some of the proceeds are expected to go to charities. Leonard said a majority of it goes to those in the Lowcountry and non-profit groups. The other parts go towards awards programs along with scholarships for high school and college students.

“The Coastal Carolina Fair is actually a funding arm of the Exchange Club of Charleston to be able to award people throughout the Lowcountry,” Leonard said.

The Coastal Carolina Fair runs through Nov. 10 and doors close at 9 p.m. Ticket deals can be found on the website and are able to be purchased on the fairgrounds or at Circle K.