By Blake Deshazo
The Selma Times-Journal

Some came for the rides, while others came for the food, but everybody came for fun on opening night of the Central Alabama Fair Monday.

“We can’t miss it,” said Chris Serman, who was there with his grandson David. “You don’t want to miss the first night, so here we are.”

This year was Serman’s second year to bring his grandson to the fair, and he’s sure it won’t be the last.

“You know when you’re a kid you sort of get hooked on the fair,” Serman said. “And to be honest with you, big kids like me like it too.”

Serman can remember coming to the fair since he was 12 years old when he moved to Selma and enjoys going to it every year.

But the thing he loves most is seeing his grandson with a smile on his face as he comes flying by on one of the many rides.

“When you see [your grandkids] having a good time it’s quite a blessing,” Serman said. “You can’t get much better than that than seeing them smiling and happy and having fun.”

Jessica Spivey likes seeing family and friends, but her son, Hain, likes the rides and games.

“He loves the rides. He’s looked forward to it all year,” Spivey said.

“We love seeing all our friends and family out here. You can’t walk by a game or a ride and not see somebody you know.”

Spivey said being at the fair is almost like being at a family or class reunion because it is hard not to run it to someone she knows.

“I like just seeing everybody, and a lot of people come back that have moved away so you get to run in to everybody,” Spivey said.

“And all the people you grew up with, your kids get to hang out with them too.”

She is also a teacher at Knox Elementary School, so she gets to see some of her current and former students enjoying the Selma tradition.

The fair will be in town through Saturday. For a full fair schedule, visit centralalabamafair.com.