Live music, a petting zoo, monster truck rides, and acrobats are just some of the attractions at this year’s Queen City Fair, which runs Oct. 12-18 at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center.

    “The fair is for everybody,” said Len McRae, the fair’s organizer. “Our original philosophy was a family fun tradition. We wanted to create a family event based on an old-style county fair.”

    The fair, now in its 14th year, offers talent shows, performances, exhibits, and food from around the world.

     For the second year, the fair has partnered with Kissel Entertainment, McRae said.

     “The fair is dramatically better because of them,” he said. “They’re progressive and more creative. Their equipment is much nicer and newer.”

    A highlight this year will be what McRae calls “a million dollar ride” — the Nemesis 360.

    “A fair this size doesn’t normally get rides this big,” McCrae said.

    Also new this year are the High Flying Pages, a third-generation circus family of acrobats who will perform three times daily. Another new attraction is the Brett Favre Monster Truck, as well as new games and vendors, McRae said.

    The fair will also feature standbys like the petting zoo, Meridian’s Most Wanted talent contest, and the Little Miss Queen City Fair Pageant. Both the talent contest and the pageant have gotten “bigger and better every year,” McRae said.

    Live music is also on tap, with artists like local hip-hop artist Moe-D as well as DJs and singer-songwriters. Area organizations and groups will showcase throughout the week.

    Local businesses, nonprofit organizations and 4-H are all participants in the weeklong event. Admission to the fair is $7 and children ages 5 and younger are admitted free. For more information, go to queencityfair.net. Applications for the fair’s events are available on the website.