The fair will go on — although no carnival rides will be available at this year’s Foothills Country Fair.

“The owner packed up and went back to Florida,” said Louie Alford, president of the fair.

But quickly added that all other fair activities will continue as planned.

Alford said he found out about the situation late Tuesday evening as fair participants, vendors and others were setting up at the Tri-State Exhibition Center.

According to information Alford received, he said the booking agent for the Great Southern Amusement Company had experienced health problems last week.

Alford said the carnival company reportedly didn’t do well financially at the Sequatchie County Fair held last week and the owner then packed up and went home. He attributed his information to managers of the Sequatchie County Fair.

Linda Melton, a member of the Foothills Country Fair board, said Lawrence Carr is the owner of Great Southern Amusement Company, which listed an address in Winterville, Ga.

Melton also said there was no phone number listed for Great Southern listed on the fair’s contract.

“By the time we found out they weren’t coming, it was too late,” Alford said today.

The Ninth annual Foothills Country Fair officially opened Thursday evening.

Alford said fair events are still going on, there are just no carnival rides. He added this is the first and only time this has occurred in the history of the annual event.

“We will look into legal action later,” Alford said.

The Kansas City Barbeque competition, music, including the country band Shenandoah in addition to other bands, the popular demolition derby and lawnmower races, bounce toys for the children and big wheel races, pageantry and many other events are still scheduled.