{mosimage}There are a couple of sure signs that summer is on the way in Fayetteville. The first is The Dogwood Festival, and the second is the Fort Bragg Fair.

Held each spring, the Fort Bragg Fair is a Cumberland County tradition. Residents of Fort Bragg and Cumberland County come together to celebrate one of childhood’s favorite memories č a community fair. Yes, there are rides. And yes, there is music, and of course, there is the requisite food that takes the toll on everybody’s resolutions to eat more nutritiously. But none of that seems to matter. The Fort Bragg Fair is all about having fun č and acting like a kid č no matter how old you are.

The fair runs May 1-May 18 at the Fort Bragg Fair Grounds, located off of Bragg Boulevard. The fair features a wide variety of carnival rides, as well as the above mentioned food. Everything from funnel cakes to Polish hot sausages to barbecue and ice cream are on tap. So don’t worry about getting dinner after work, just grab the family and head over to the fairgrounds, where you won’t quite get a square meal, but you’ll get plenty to eat. Just remember: rides first, food last.

This year, as in years past, unlimited carnival rides and free entertainment are included in one low admission price. If your spirit of adventure runs more toward a nice paddle boat in a small pool, there is also a non-riders ticket. There will also be several special customer appreciation nights, with reduced prices, as well as a special Mother’s Day admission, with each mother admitted for $5 when accompanied by a child.

Entertainment has always been a central part of the Fort Bragg Fair. This year is no different. An array of musical styles will be showcased throughout the week, with country, rock, Latino, blues and variety bands all taking to the stage throughout the fair’s run.

Admission: Monday-Thursday, 5-7 p.m.: $5 for ages 3 and over; after 7 p.m., $10 general admission, $8 for children ages 3-9; $8 for military and Department of Defense civilians; $5 for handicapped non-riders; and $5 for senior citizen non-riders who are 50 and above.

Friday ą Saturday, 1 p.m.: general admission, $14; children ages 3-9, $12; military and DoD, $12; handicapped non-riders, $5; and senior citizen non-riders over the age of 50, $5. Children under the age of 2 are admitted free throughout the fair and parking is free.

The fairgrounds can be accessed from Bragg Boulevard via Howell Street. 

For more information, call 396-9126.