After a yearlong wait, it’s time for Black Belt residents let loose and have some family-friendly fun at the Central Alabama Fair.

On Monday, the 48th annual fair officially opens with Youth Night at the Lions Pair Park on West Dallas Avenue.

Organizer Jack Frost says residents can expect to find plenty of their old favorites at the fairgrounds, including the Miss Central Alabama Fair Beauty Pageant, but there will also be some new things as well.

“We are going to have a larger petting zoo this year than before,” Frost said. “On Wednesday, people should go see the ‘Hats off to Broadway’ performance by the kids from Meadowview and Cedar Park Elementary Schools.”

Frost said the old National Guard Armory at the fairgrounds was given a decoration upgrade this year to go along with the many activities taking place at the fair.

All this week, volunteers from the Selma Lions Club have been busy decorating the inside of the building to give it a more fun atmosphere.

Among the 25 or so rides that will be set up along the Midway, visitors will also get the chance to practice their driving skill on the new bumper car ride.

Fair-goers looking for their favorite fair goodies won’t be disappointed either.

“We are going to have all the cotton candy, candy, hot dogs and hamburgers people could want,” Frost said.

On Tuesday the Miss Central Alabama Fair Beauty Pageant will take place at 7:30 p.m.

The following day, all elementary and high school students are admitted free from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This will also be the day the “Hats off to Broadway” performance is scheduled to take place inside armory.

Thursday will be the much-anticipated night of competition with “Dixie Hold’em,” Dixie 100 FM’s version of the Texas Hold’em poker game.

Frost said 200 people will qualify to be in the event by drawing an Ace of Hearts out of the Dixie 100 card deck.

“Someone could win a new Honda Civic or $5,000 in cash,” Frost said.

The final day of the fair on Oct. 9 will be celebrated with Family Day and the Little Miss Central Alabama Beauty Pageant at 4 p.m.

The Central Alabama Fair is sponsored by the Selma Lions Club and the Alabama Department of Agriculture Center Board, who are co-sponsors of the Fairs of Alabama and pay a portion of the prizes, premiums and awards given by state fairs.