Georgia National Fair hopes to be bigger this year

PERRY - Organizers of the Georgia National Fair are hoping the 13th annual event will be lucky, with bigger crowds, new shows and more entries. <br> <br> The fair, which opened Friday and runs through Oct. 13, will have new attractions this year, such as a nightly laser show, stunts by skateboarders and a World Trade Center memorial. <br> <br> Vince Gill, George Jones and Alabama are among the headliners at the event&#39;s concerts. <br> <br> The fair has grown steadily since its first year in 1990 when about 270,000 people attended. Last year, attendance had grown to nearly 360,000 - about a 33 percent increase. <br> <br> Weather and the economy may work against the 2002 fair. Schools in central Georgia have canceled trips to the fair because of budget cuts, and Houston County expects a 30 percent to 40 percent chance of rain all weekend. <br> <br> But the weather was still fine Friday afternoon. <br> <br> ``The sun is shining, flags are waving, there&#39;s a rainbow in the fountain,&#39;&#39; said spokeswoman Michelle Treptow. ``Central Georgia seems to be in the clear.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The state-sponsored event raked in more than $2.8 million in 2001. <br> <br> A record number of workers 800 will help run the fair this year, and livestock entries have grown to 12,000, the most ever. <br> <br> For $6, people can visit 250 concession stands, 65 rides, a circus and more than 2,500 exhibits from 154 Georgia counties and 22 other states. <br> <br> Among the fair&#39;s more popular attractions are the Georgia Living Center, Heritage Hall, food and shopping.