Flashing lights, laughter and the smell of hot Cozy Dogs set the scene Monday night for the return of the Central Alabama Fair to the old National Guard Armory on Dallas Avenue.

The fair is an annual tradition that is in its 59th year, and people in Selma and Dallas County have been anxiously awaiting its return since it ended last year.

Mark Woodson, who brought his 4-and 7-year-old daughters, Molly and Bonnie, to the fair said this is something his kids have been anxiously awaiting.

“My kids have been so excited they’ve been bouncing off the walls since last Monday,” Woodson laughed. “I’ve just been trying to contain them until then. It’s all they talk about. This morning I woke up, and my four-year-old said, ‘Daddy, it’s fair day,’ and I said, ‘Yes, it is fair day. I can’t wait.’”

Woodson, who has been to the Central Alabama Fair as long as he can remember, said his daughters’ excitement brings back memories.

“I remember being in school growing up and being like, ‘Are you going to the fair? Oh my God, we’re going to the fair today. How many Cozy Dogs are you going to eat,’” Woodson laughed. “It was always a big deal. It’s just a Selma thing. It is a way of life. I look forward to it as much as my kids do.”

Lee Tate, who was at the fair with his mother Pat and fellow church members, said watching the smiles on children’s faces and hearing their laughter reminds him of days gone by when his mother would bring him to the fair as a child.

“My mother has brought me out here a million times. We’ve been coming out for a long time,” Tate said. “It just takes you back to your childhood I guess.”

Tate has fond memories of riding  rides, but there are a few he wouldn’t go on Monday.

“There are several [rides] that I would never get on today like the Scrambler and the Star over there,” Tate joked. “It was fun when I was a kid, but it would kill me now. Youth is a wonderful thing.”

While a night out at the fair is an age-old tradition for some people in Selma and Dallas County, for others it is a brand new experience.

“It is wonderful to bring him out here,” said Cecil Hicks, as he held his grandson Ridge. “It’s a new era. He’s a new grandson and our youngest grandson. I’m glad and proud to be able to bring him.”

The rides and food make for everlasting memories for many, but Woodson said one of the fun things about going to the fair is getting to see all of the familiar faces.

“This is the one day of the year you’ll see everybody from Dallas County that you know,” Woodson said. “You try to lose a little bit of weight before you come because it is like a family reunion. You got to look good for this day, and you’ve got to have an empty stomach so you an eat about 14 Cozy Dogs too.”

The fair will be open every day this week through Saturday. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. except for Tuesday and Saturday, which are 2 p.m. and 1 p.m.