Collier Fair kicks off its 50th anniversary year with flair

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — The Collier Fair is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, kicking off this momentous milestone Thursday night.

Last year, more than 90,000 guests attended the event, but Rhonda Ward, the Collier Fair's Manager, says they're hoping to beat that.

"We're hoping for more this year where our so far, our pre sales, were up this year," she said. "So we're hoping that that means we're going to be up again this year."

The fair features food, games, entertainment, and rides. It also features livestock exhibits and showcases local farmers, sometimes multiple generations of them.

This year's theme is 'Red, White, and You', to celebrate the entire community that has made this event possible for half a century. Rhonda Ward is the Collier Fair manager, says that's how they came up with the theme. 

"That's why you do see all the red, white, and blue," Ward said. "And then we're celebrating the fact that our community is important to us, and without the community, we would not be here for 50 years.

The fair also has a charitable component. The "Making Life 'Fair' Fundraiser and Silent Auction" was created to raise funds for the community. The silent auction will happen on Monday and has a goal of $10,000. Pets are not allowed at the fair; only service animals are. 

Ticket prices vary by day, and active-duty and retired U.S. military personnel receive free admission with a military ID. More information about the fair and its entertainment options can be found here.

The Collier Fair runs from Thursday through March 29.