This year’s edition of the Appalachian Fair will open Monday and continue through Saturday, Aug. 24, in Gray.

The fair features fun for the entire family including children’s activities, a wide variety of food, livestock shows, competitive and commercial exhibits, demolition derby, ATV racing, midway rides and top-name entertainment.

One of the fair’s biggest draws every year is the Drew Exposition, which has been providing the best selection of modern day amusement rides for over half a century at the Appalachian Fair. Drew is famous for providing state of the art thrill rides, honest games of skill, and extraordinary midway food.

Their lineup of rides range from hi-tech thrill rides such as the Cyclops and ION to family rides such as the Wave Swinger and Tornado.

New at the Appalachian Fair this year is a thrilling and exciting ride, the Double-Double Ferris Wheel or Space Wheel. It provides riders with four complete Ferris wheels all in one ride. The ride is exhilarating and is the only one in the world.

Two other new rides to be introduced at the Appalachian Fair is the NYC Taxi amusement ride and the Barnyard kiddie ride.

The “New York Taxi City” better known as the “New York City Taxi” has 18 bumper cars. “The idea of a bumper car themed as a NYC Taxi came from my granddaughter,” Jimmy Drew, owner and operator, stated. When he asked her why she chose this theme, she said, “That’s how they drive in New York, Grandpa,” explained Karly.

The Barnyard kiddie ride was manufactured in Italy. Riders will be taken straight up in the air where it twists and turns. Children squeal with excitement as they experience riding with the barnyard animals.

Drew Exposition is the only remaining traveling carnival of the 21st century to be operating a Huss Pirate and Enterprise; both multi trailer rides that were imported from Germany.

The Drew Exposition takes great pride in the condition of their equipment, both cosmetically and mechanically. They institute a strict safety policy including daily safety checks and routine ride inspections conducted by government officials.

No matter what, your experience on the Drew Exposition midway at the Appalachian Fair will be one you will treasure for a lifetime!