Fall in Gainesville is finally here and what better way to celebrate this time than taking a trip to the Alachua County Fair? This was my second time attending this fair, and similar to last year, it fulfilled its legacy of being the perfect night time activity to break up my monotonous routine. With the perfect mix of rides, food, and games, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Alachua County Fair, and I highly recommend checking it out!
For starters, the food is incredible. If you’re on a diet, eating these treats may not be the best idea, but they definitely are delicious. From meal options like pizza and corn dogs, to snacks like cotton candy and funnel cake, there is so much to choose from and enjoy. One piece of advice that I do have regarding the food is to make sure you have cash before you arrive. A lot of the food booths only accept cash, and while there are ATMs at the fair, they charge a high withdrawal fee. Other than that, the food was worth the calories and was Instagram-worthy too!
Another great part of the fair is the games! There were so many classic carnival games like darts or dunking Bobo the Clown, and so many opportunities to win a nice, big stuffed animal or even a goldfish! The games do cost extra money and are not included in the wrist band or ticket price, but they can be a fun way to spend your time at the fair and win a souvenir to take home with you.
Finally, who can go to a fair without going on the rides? I think the Alachua County Fair did an amazing job at providing a wide variety of rides for all different age groups and at all different intensity levels. There were kiddie coasters, the tilt-a-whirl, the “defying gravity” ride called Alien Abduction and of course, who could forget the Ferris wheel? Bouncing from ride to ride with one of my best friends and singing on the top of our lungs even when the rides were spinning so fast that our stomachs hurt was such a fun experience.
Overall, if you are looking for something different and fun to do in Gainesville during the fall season, you should definitely take a trip to the Alachua County Fair. This classic carnival-style event has so much to offer and will surely give you a festive activity to attend and a memorable day or night.
Also, shout out to a new app called Huji Cam for these awesome pictures! This app puts effects on your photos to make them look like they were processed by a disposable camera, and can add a fun flare to any picture.