AFTON – This weekend, thousands of fun seekers from all over will be flocking to the Afton Driving Park for the 123rd annual Afton Fair, which kicks-off today at the Afton fairgrounds.

Despite this year’s loss of the midway, the show must go on, said event coordinator Dennis Fletcher. The Afton Driving Park and Agricultural Association is bringing in family-fun attractions that promise to please for the highly-anticipated annual event, he said. Last minute conflicts may have kept rides from the fair, but the volunteer board has actively recruited local musicians and vendors, organized games and contests, dairy displays and horse shows, and a number of different agricultural education exhibits and displays for people of all ages.

“We still have things lined up and we’re going in a new direction. We’re going to have it more agricultural and educational,” Fletcher said. “We’re leaning back toward the old-time fair.”

More than 100 school art exhibits will be showcased in Floral Hall, in addition to exhibits of work from professional artists in the area. “It’s not just limited to school kids,” Fletcher said, noting several individuals, businesses and non-profit agencies that will have exhibits spotlighted in the fair buildings.

Live performances and contests will also draw people to the 88BC/Afton Sertoma stage with a line-up that begins tonight with local musician Gary Jennings. Other happenings on stage include the Miss Afton Fair competition, the Afton Fair Baby Contest and the music of Shawn Hawkins and Tessa Dzuba on Saturday.

Gates open at 9 a.m. today, putting in motion “Racing to Work Day,” the first of four themes for the four-day event. Exhibits in Floral Hall will be judged from 9-11 a.m. Other major attractions today include harness racing from 1-5 p.m. at the grandstands, followed by the Afton Fair Cruise-In for car enthusiasts from 5-9 p.m. at the Firemen’s Building.