The Lincoln County Carnival will bring big-city sized rides, all the expected food and four days of live entertainment beginning Wednesday and lasting through Saturday at the Lincoln Civic Center.

     “We’ve got state fair quality rides,” said Quinn Jordan, civic center director. “Thrill-seekers can find what they’re looking for without having to drive a long way.”

     For those that prefer to keep their feet on the ground, the carnival will feature live entertainment each night and the relocation of the Lincoln County Master Gardeners’ annual Garden Extravaganza to the fair.

     Throughout the four days of the carnival, 19 rides, 20 games and eight main food vendors will be available.

     Jordan emphasized that the carnival, now in its third year, will offer a positive environment.

     “It’s a clean, family-oriented event,” Jordan said. “We work real hard to make sure it stays that way.”

     The carnival planners have dubbed Wednesday, the opening night, “youth night” and encourage religious and civic youth groups to attend and take advantage of discounted armband prices.

     Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the carnival will open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the carnival gets an early kickoff at noon.

     Unlimited ride armband prices range from $15 to $25. Instead of armbands, tickets may be purchased at $1 each, but many rides require more than one ticket.

     Event parking will cost $2 and will benefit a local nonprofit.

     Following Wednesday’s youth night, Thursday will feature a vocal talent show. The Nashville-based band Parrish County will perform a concert Friday night and local band, The Colonels, will put on a show Saturday night.

     Saturday afternoon, kindergarten through eighth-grade students are welcome to participate in a youth talent show.

     The live entertainment is a new feature added to the carnival lineup this year, Jordan said.

     Other attractions include an Animal Viewing Zoo, available each day of the carnival, and the Garden Extravaganza, which showcases and sells garden plants and décor. The extravaganza begins Friday night and continues through Saturday.

     Much of the live entertainment, as well as the viewing zoo and the Garden Extravaganza, will be held under a covered awning or inside the civic center and will go on as scheduled even in case of rain.

     Last year, about 8,000 to 10,000 people attended the carnival over its four nights, and Jordan hopes the crowds are even larger this year.

     “We want families from all over the region to know that they would not be wasting a drive to Brookhaven,” Jordan said.