By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Employees at the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre are preparing to host the largest Oak Mountain State Fair ever held at the venue from April 19-28.

“It’s going to be huge. We are hopping right now getting everything set up,” Amphitheatre General Manager Patrick Boone said on April 16.

The fair will kick off at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 19, and will run through Sunday, April 28 in the parking lot surrounding the Amphitheatre in Pelham. The fair will open at 5 p.m. on Monday-Friday and will open at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Boone said the fair will feature several new additions this year, including live music on several nights, a nearly 14-story star tower swing ride, a high-wire motorcycle rider and more.

Rides will include the large “century wheel” Ferris wheel, the “Blitzer” rollercoaster, the 55-foot “Banzai” swinging ride and several kids’ rides. Jimmy Riffle, star of the Animal Planet show “Gator Boys” will hold nightly shows from April 26-28 and the Neverless Nocks thrill performers and unicyclist Wade Henry will hold shows each night the fair is open.

Lindsey Hinkle, Casey James and Drake White will perform on April 19, Colt Ford and Riley Green will perform on April 20 and El Chichicuilote, La Sonora Dinamita and Alacranes Musical will perform on April 21.

The fair also will feature a variety of food, retail vendors and carnival games.

For a full list of performances and attractions, and to purchase tickets for the fair, visit Oakmountainstatefair.com.