The Columbus County Fair begins with a 3:30 p.m. parade today through downtown Whiteville to the courthouse. The fairgrounds will open at 5 p.m. today through Friday, and at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Gate admission is $6 and arm bands for rides are $12. However, Touchstone Energy and Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation will sponsor half-price night Thursday, with admission reduced to $3 and arm bands to $10.

The fair offers a variety of stage entertainment, contests, midway games and rides, animals, exhibits, a free frontier show, fair food and more. This will be the 27th edition of the fair and the 19th County Fair parade.