The 55th annual Central Alabama Fair is just days away, and members of the Selma Lions Club have just completed the final touches for the weeklong tradition.

With this year’s fair to feature amusement rides, pageants, karaoke and exhibits, fair director John Haskell, said things are well underway.

“We’re just about through, (we’re) doing last minute cleanups,” Haskell said. “We still have to get some of the animals in there … the display area is ready for people to see. We try to get as much housework done and entertainment as we can.”

The fair is set to begin Monday, Oct. 3. Gates will open at 5:20 p.m. Admission is $5 and free for children under 6.

It is through this event that Lions members dedicate themselves to raising money for philanthropic causes, starting each year with a zero budget. Haskell said Lions’ staff raised more than $18,000 last year to distribute to local charities.

“We try to make it (the fair) bigger and better every year,” Haskell said. “We try to keep everything clean and ready to go forward. The more activities, the more money we can give away.”

With the Miss Central Alabama Tiny Miss, Little Miss, Junior Miss and Miss pageants, karaoke and talent provided by local schools, Haskell said he expects this year’s fair to be a great success.

“For the first time we’ll have junior miss pageant, for 12 to 16 year olds,” Haskell said. “The tiny miss and little miss pageants have 25 participants each … for karaoke we have 20 or more … we want everyone to come out and enjoy. We hope it will be good weather.”

The fair will culminate on Saturday, Oct. 8. For those who are interested in showcasing their exhibits during the event, Haskell said the deadline to bring in exhibits is Saturday, Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the fair, visit www.centralalabamafair.com