TIFTON — Preparing to clock in its 86th run, the Coastal Plains Fair continues to bring annual entertainment to the Tiftarea.

The longstanding carnival event, which has run consecutively every year since its flagship showing in 1936, is making a return to Tifton the week of Nov. 7.

The gates will open Nov. 8, bringing six full days of carnival rides, games and attractions, and old-fashioned fair food to the area. Many of the fair’s staple attractions, like the Ferris wheel, carousel and Dominguez family circus, will also be making their return.

Dale Gay, fairgrounds manager, said some new rides will be appearing, though fair organizers have elected to keep them secret until their grand debut.

Special events are scheduled for certain days. The opening night of the fair will allow high school and college students to get into the fair free of charge, as long as they present a valid student ID at the gate.

Saturday, Nov. 12, will feature a corn dog eating contest, where competitors will be challenged to eat three 18-inch corn dogs in under three minutes. First place winners will receive two armbands and a t-shirt, second place only one armband and a shirt, and third only a T-shirt.

Finally, Sunday, Nov. 13, will be Hispanic Day, and will have a DJ playing music all day long. Members of the 21st American Legion will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 9.

“People are going to enjoy it,” Gay said. “They’re gonna go home and say, ‘OK, well, we needed a good day out, good night out.’ It’s going to help people take their mind off the stress with inflation and everything going on in the world.”

The 86th Coastal Plains Fair will open at the American Legion Fairgrounds 6 p.m., Nov. 8, and will be open 6-10 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday, and 1-7 p.m. Sunday.

Admission will be $5, and will include free admission to the Dominguez family circus showings. The corn dog eating contest requires an additional $10 entry fee.

For more information, contact Dale Gay at (229) 406-5089, or the 21st American Legion at (229) 386-8001.