Life is not always fair but the Pike County Fair can always be counted on for fun, laughter and excitement.

The bright lights on the Midway tonight will signal the beginning of the weeklong edition of the 2012 Pike County Fair, which is sponsored annually by the Troy Shrine Club.

“The Troy Shriners are looking forward to welcoming each and every person to the fair,” said Homer Homann, president of the Troy Shrine Club. “We have a new Midway that has exciting rides for all ages. The Midway will feature three new rides that we’ve kept under wraps until tonight. These rides will be the talk of the town for sure.”

The doors of the Pike County Fair open at 6 p.m. each night and there’s no limit to the enjoyment behind those doors.

“Tonight, opening night, we’ll have the Broken Strings Bluegrass Band as the featured entertainment and, of course, C.B. the Clown will be on the Midway,” Homann said. “The Troy Shire Club offers everything that makes a county fair fun and unique.

“In addition to the Midway and the outstanding nightly entertainment, we have exhibits that showcase the Creative Living talents of our friends and neighbors in everything from A to Z and booths featuring local businesses, service agencies and non-profit organizations. Down in the livestock barn, we have horses, mules, poultry and pigs. A county fair is just not a county fair without barnyard animals.”

And a county fair’s not a country fair without Carnival foods.

The Troy Shrine Club is “food central.”

“We’re located in the exhibit hall and we’ll have hotdogs, hamburgers, nachos, peanuts, pizza, popcorn and soft drinks,” Homann said. “Out on the Midway there will be cotton candy, candied apples, corndogs and popcorn. We’ll have plenty to eat and there will be lots of fun to be had at the 2012 Pike County Fair at the Pike County Fairgrounds on Highway 231 south between Troy and Brundidge.”

For those who plan to ride the Midway rides, the best ticket in town is the $10 advance armband that allows the holder to ride all rides again and again during his or her visit. The advance armbands will be available at the Piggly Wiggly stores in Troy and Brundidge through noon today. Armbands on the Midway will be $18.

Admission to the fair is $6 for ages 12 and older and $4 for children ages 6-11. Children ages five and under are admitted free.