Get ready for the Salem Fair which returns Wednesday

SALEM, Virginia – The Salem Fair is back Wednesday night, and you’ll have the chance to eat all the junk food you want while hopping on plenty of rides.

Crews are preparing to welcome everyone to the fair, which runs until July 14.

10 News had the opportunity to go to the fairgrounds early in the morning and see everything there was to offer.

This year there will be more than 40 attractions, with a new Fast Pass that will allow visitors to pay an entrance fee to skip the lines.

“The Wave Swinger behind me is one of the best rides, a brand new ride built in Europe and shipped in,” said fair director Carey Harveycutter.

Harveycutter said the Wave Swinger can carry 60 people at a time and it goes up and spins you around.

There are also roller coasters, children’s rides and the Ferris wheel.

No fair is complete without food. You’ll find everything from funnel cakes to cotton candy to popcorn and even pizza.

Vendors come from all over the country for the event and have been participating for years.

Gillette’s Pizza has been at the Salem Fairgrounds since its inception more than three decades ago. Gillette’s Pizza, a family-owned business, said it is ready to serve Salem.

“We really enjoy coming to the Salem Fair because it’s like a community and a family to us. I grew up here. I’ve been here since I was born in December and we were here that year,” said Kendall Gillette of Gillette’s Pizza.

There will also be live entertainment.

This popular summer event attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year.

As far as safety goes, Harveycutter said they are prepared. They have an inspector who inspects all the rides every day.

“For security, we have Salem police and state police on site,” Harveycutter said.

The fair will also take place during the hot summer. Harveycutter said the Salem Fair and EMS will have cooling stations on site. He also recommended drinking plenty of water and wearing sunscreen.

The Salem Fair is free. However, you will need to purchase a wristband to access the attractions.