ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — The Orangeburg County Fair is back with even more emphasis on education.
Schools from throughout the county have the opportunity this week to visit the many different attractions the fair has to offer such as feeding and petting animals, magic shows, farm simulators, train rides and more.
Shay Dorch is a first grade teacher at Edisto Primary School who says this might not have been possible for many kids.
“The kids have enjoyed themselves so much," said Dorch. "Some of them don’t get the opportunity to come to the county fair just because of financial obligations that their parents may have but they got to experience a lot of different animals and activities there were some shows here for the kids and I think they had a wonderful time.”
James Schuler with the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation says education kids in Orangeburg about agriculture is important.
“To educate our youth with the fair big rural county that we have in Orangeburg, that way we can touch so many kids in this county," said Schuler. "To help them learn where their food and fiber comes from.”
Tommy Williams is on the board of directors with the Orangeburg County Fair and says creating a safe and fun environment is a top priority for the fair.
“A lot of our rural communities are struggling and that’s not a secret its not that people don’t know that that’s happening so those of us that are here have to stand up and try to do what we can to make sure things don’t leave our community," said Williams. "That we build our community up. And that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to build our community and give our kids a safe wholesome alternative of somewhere to be where they’re being watched they’re having fun and they’re not somewhere where they’re being exposed to things that they shouldn't be exposed to.”
Children 10 and under enter the fair for free and its $10 for those 11 and older.
The fair opens Friday for lunch at 11 am to 2 pm, lunch admission is free.