AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) - The Georgia-Carolina State Fair returns this weekend after a one-year hiatus due to Hurricane Helene.

The Exchange Club of Augusta, which organizes the annual event, had to make the tough decision not to open last year after the storm caused significant damage to the fairgrounds.

“Everyone was having a tough time coping with what was going on,” said fair manager Chum Balk.

“And you know, with an event like this, we wanted it to be a happy and safe experience. With the timing, we just weren't able to, in good conscience, pull it off.”

Storm damage from fallen utility poles and destroyed buildings forced months of restoration work before the site could reopen.

“We just received power about a month ago back on our fairgrounds in our parking lot where some of our pro

See Full Page