Alabama National Fair forecast: Expect a 'Blizzard of Dollars' for some lucky fairgoers

Shannon Heupel, Montgomery Advertiser
·5 min read
The Blizzard of Dollars money machine returns to Garrett Coliseum at the Alabama National Fair this week, with a bit of a twist. While adults can grab for $1,000, children will get a chance to grab Fair Bucks to spend at the fair.
The Blizzard of Dollars money machine returns to Garrett Coliseum at the Alabama National Fair this week, with a bit of a twist. While adults can grab for $1,000, children will get a chance to grab Fair Bucks to spend at the fair.

Along with midway rides, a circus, live music, animal acts, games, prizes and absolutely fabulous foods, the chance to win big cash has been the cherry on top of the sundae for the Alabama National Fair in recent years.

Starting Friday at 6:30 p.m., folks 19 and older will get 13 chances during the fair’s 10-day run to step into a $1,000 whirlwind for 35 seconds. If they grab the cash, they can keep it.

“We’ve got money machine drawings every day,” said Terry Barber, the fair’s director of sales and marketing. The Blizzard of Dollars machine is set up on the stage inside Montgomery's Garrett Coliseum.

For the first time, kids get to go into the money machine this weekend at Alabama National Fair to grab for Fair Bucks.
For the first time, kids get to go into the money machine this weekend at Alabama National Fair to grab for Fair Bucks.

But what about the kids? This year the fair is more fair to young guests with three days of Kids Money Machine: Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m., and Monday (School Day) at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. There's another one for kids on Oct. 16, 2:30 p.m., the last day of the fair.

“Instead of winning cash they win Fair Bucks, which are certificates they can use out on the midway to buy food and stuff like that, and play games,” Barber said.

The rules are the same. Grab those Fair Bucks out of the air while they’re blowing.

The money machine gives people age 19 and older a timed chance to grab for $1,000.
The money machine gives people age 19 and older a timed chance to grab for $1,000.

Earning a chance to get in the machine is pretty simple. Guests just need to show up at the stage 30 minutes before the machine’s scheduled time, get a ticket, and wait to see if their number is drawn.

After Friday, the adult money machine's schedule includes:

  • Saturday: 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m.

  • Sunday: 6:30 p.m.

  • Monday: 6:30 p.m.

  • Tuesday: 6:30 p.m.

  • Wednesday: 6:30 p.m.

  • Thursday (Oct. 13): 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m.

  • Friday (Oct. 14): 6:30 p.m.

  • Saturday (Oct. 15): 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m.

  • Sunday, (Oct. 16): 6:30 p.m.

Alabama National Fair highlights

  • The Alabama National Fair opens on the grounds at Garrett Coliseum on Friday at 4 p.m., starting with a flag ceremony. The midway rides open at 5 p.m. Admission tickets are currently $10 online at alnationalfair.org, which Barber said is a little cheaper than getting them at the box office. The website also offers wristband deals, or you can buy tickets for rides at the park.

  • Parking is $5 at Garrett.

  • There is a fair entrance change this year. Barber said the Farmers Market gate will be closed. Guests should use either the north or south gates from the lots on either side of the coliseum, or use the arena gate off of Coliseum Boulevard that's on the other side of the midway near the circus tent.

  • Anyone 17 and under must be accompanied into the fair by an adult.

  • There is a clear bag policy

  • Items to leave at home: All weapons, pocket knives, fireworks, alcohol, drones, bikes, skateboards, skates, hoverboards. If you bring them, they'll be taken and won't be returned.

  • Clothing that's deemed to be offensive or gang-related won't be allowed on the fairgrounds. Shirts and shoes (preferably not open-toed sandals or flip flops) are required at all times.

  • Military, veterans and first responders get into the fair free through the entire run with a valid ID.

  • Featured attractions include the Swifty Swine racing pigs, The Puppetone Rockers musical puppet show, the diving dogs of K9s in Flight, a live shark encounter, and the Zerbini Family Circus, plus 40 midway rides and attractions from Wade Shows, games and food vendors.

  • The inside of the coliseum has booths on the floor for vendors and organizations. Upstairs are the flower and art shows.

  • The fair opens Saturday at 9 a.m., and rides start at 11 a.m.

  • Starting Saturday, there are daily concerts at the fair's outdoor stage. Acts include John Anderson, Toia Jones, Tony! Toni! Toné!, a choral festival for school groups, Montgomery Recreators, JJ Weeks, Steel CuZ’n, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Hotel California, and a K-POP Star Contest.

  • Sunday, the fair opens at 11 a.m., and rides begin at 1 p.m.

  • Monday is School Day — $7 admission. The fair opens at 9 a.m., and rides start at 10 a.m.

  • On Tuesday and Wednesday, the fair opens at 3 p.m. and rides start at 5 p.m.

  • Thursday, Oct. 13 is both Senior Day and Discount Day — $2 admission with a non-perishable item for the Montgomery Area Food Bank. The fair opens at 9 a.m. Free bingo for seniors 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on the coliseum stage.

  • Friday, Oct. 14 is Pet Food Friday — $5 discount on admission when you bring pet supplies for area humane shelters. The fair opens at 3 p.m., and rides start at 5 p.m.

  • The fair opens Saturday, Oct. 15 at 9 a.m. There a robotics competition at 9:15 a.m.

  • On the last day of the fair on Sunday, Oct. 16, it opens at 11 a.m. and rides begin at 1 p.m. They'll have a flag retirement ceremony at 5 p.m.

  • Alabama National Fair is brought to you by the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery, which has been around for more than 100 years. It began the fair in 1954 and has raised around $9 million for charitable organizations. Learn more about them online at montgomerykiwanis.org.

You can see the fair's schedule, including Money Machine times, online at alnationalfair.org.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama National Fair: While adults grab $1,000, kids catch Fair Bucks