Another opportunity for gastronomical indulgence

The chromatic sights, foot-tapping sounds and mouth-watering scents mean Marietta’s North Georgia State Fair is back in business.

Kids will likely be mesmerized by the vibrant midway’s potpourri of rides and attractions. The centerpiece is the Seattle Wheel from the 1962 World’s Fair, which starred alongside Elvis Presley in the flick “It Happened at the World’s Fair.”

Specialty acts include puppeteer Peter Hart, soaring BMX bikes and Lisa Dufresne’s trained horses. A wealth of mu- sic helps pack the fair’s dance card. Christian rock acts Newsboys, Building 429 and Luminate take the stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21. Radio Disney’s concert event features Coco Jones, Shealeigh, Chloe and Halle, and Jack Skuller starting at 11 a.m. Sept. 22. Country stars performing 8 p.m. shows during the fair’s run are Casey James Sept. 22, Sara Evans Sept. 26, Thompson Square Sept. 27, Colt Ford Sept. 28 and Mark Wills Sept. 29. array of flavors from watermelon to cookies and cream flowing from self-serve taps. Visitors shell out $5 for a small cup and $7 for a large, and dress up each with a choice of candy, nuts and fresh fruit toppings.

So who decides what food makes the carnival cut? That cavalcade of calories rests on Thurman’s shoulders. Each year he wades through piles of applicants searching for new tastes and exciting additions. The end result finds 35 vendors packing the fair.

Presentation is a plus. The Slush Bus, a slushie stand, features what looks like a vibrantly painted Volkswagen hippie bus as its basis of operation. Slushie taps are located on the side of the ride dispensing chilly servings of cherry, grape and more priced from $3 to $7.

Others stick to the basics. Inside the Ice House booth, vendor Charlie Parker tucks Italian sausages in between cushy rolls, topping them with twisted piles of grilled peppers and onions. The $8 creation is “popular with families,” he said.