Anderson County residents need look no further than the Civic Center of Anderson for family-friendly entertainment this weekend.

“The first week in May will be an exciting time in Anderson County,” said Anderson County Council Chairman Tom Allen.

“The Anderson County Fair is back with lots of exciting additions! Residents will also be in for a treat with the USA CRIT Series SPEED WEEK – hundreds of pro-cyclists racing on our Balloon Launch field to win big prize money! And, don’t forget the opportunity to show our support for Upstate boy scouts with the Boy Scout Exporee! I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the many opportunities for family-friendly fun. Call your neighbors, invite the family, pack up the car and join in the festivities!”

The Great Anderson County Fair:

Anderson County comes alive with the inaugural Great Anderson County Fair. Upstate South Carolina will celebrate the ultimate family event when The Great Anderson County Fair opens on Wednesday May 2, 2012. This is an affordable, family-friendly event not to be missed.

Daily admission and ride specials guarantee everyone will have the opportunity to celebrate this fantastic event. The Great Anderson County Fair is pulling out all the stops with amazing free ground acts, concerts, delicious fair food, and The Great James H. Drew Midway, one of the largest fair midways in the country. Featuring these rides and more-the Super Slide, Carousel, Circus Swing, Cyclops, Ion, Pirate Ship, Tilt-a-Whirl and Sizzler!

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students ages 7 – 18 years, free for children 6 years and under. Ride tickets are $1 each, $20 for 22 tickets and $50 for 55 tickets.

All rides require more than one ticket. There is plenty of free parking. All concerts are included with fair admission.

The fair will be open Wednesday and Thursday: 4:00 – 11:00 p.m. Friday: 4:00 p.m. – Midnight Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to Midnight Sunday: 12:30 – 10:00 p.m. For more information, visit http://thegreatandersoncountyfair.com/

USA CRIT S Series:

Pro-cyclists from across the nation and world will race in Anderson, SC on May 5th. The USA CRIT Series Speed Week is a series of 7 races over 10 days – starting with the Athens Twilight and ending in Sandy Springs, Georgia. The series offers $150,000 in prize money to the Men’s & Women’s Professional/Elite Teams. Speed Week features the best criterium cyclists in the world, racing the downtown streets of seven southern cities. These downtown areas are transformed into international cycling competition arenas from April 28-May 6, 2012. Olympians, world and nationally-ranked men and women athletes will take to the streets to contest the series, as well as qualifying positions for the USA CRITS Finals. 2012 USA CRITS Speed Week Schedule

Race Location Date Terrapin Twilight Criterium Athens, GA April 28 Historic Roswell Criterium Roswell, GA April 29 Beaufort Memorial Classic Beaufort, SC May 1 Downtown Walterboro Criterium Walterboro, SC May 2 Spartanburg Regional Classic Spartanburg, SC May 4 Anderson Electric Circuit Anderson, SC May 5 Global Imports Sandy Springs Challenge Sandy Springs, GA May 6

For more information, visit http://usacrits.com/speedweek/

Boy Scout Exporee:

The Boy Scout Exporee, hosted by the Blue Ridge Council, is a campout held every 3 years to bring the Scouting Family from eight Upstate counties together for fellowship, learning and fun. Participants in excess of 1000-1500 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts are anticipated to attend the 2012 event. Activities include Scuba, kayaking, Air soft rifle shooting, Archery, climbing wall, ropes course and a world class museum of scouting. Additionally, many basic scouting skills will be taught during the weekend. Festivities will wrap up on Saturday evening with the awards ceremony in the Amphitheatre and a campfire for the participants.

For more information about Blue Ridge Council’s Boy Scout Exporee, visit: http://www.blueridgecouncil.org/brcic/resources/1/2012%20Exporee%20Booklet.pdf