Need To Know: Birmingham Village Fair

The kicks off today at noon and if you've got kids or are a kid at heart, you'll be downtown all weekend long playing the carnival games, wolfing down a funnel cake or riding the Ferris wheel.

The event is hosted by the (BBCC). According to Andrea Foglietta, event and marketing manager for the BBCC, the event is typically held the weekend after Memorial Day for a reason.

"Families look forward to the fair, like a family tradition," she said.

Here's what you need to know about the Village Fair ahead of time:

Where: In and around Shain Park

• The Village Fair has been moved back to this year after park renovations temporarily moved the fair to South Old Woodward Avenue.
• The fair will also spill over onto Bates and Henrietta streets, as well as Martin Street between Pierce and Chester.

When: Thursday-Sunday

• Thursday: noon-10 p.m.
• Friday: noon-11 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Sunday: noon-9 p.m.

Size: Organizers expect 20,000

• Foglietta said organizers typically expect around 5,000 people per day, weather permitting, or 20,000 over the four-day event.

Rides and Food: From elephant ears to bumper cars

• Rides include the Ferris wheel, Freak Out, and bumper cars.
• Food vendors will be selling elephant ears, slushies, funnel cakes, fries and pizza.

Price: Free to get in, $5-25 to ride

• Entrance to the fair is free, but riding the rides requires ride tickets, which can purchased for $5 for four tickets a $25 for a sheet of 22. Tickets can be purchased at the fair. Visa, MasterCard and Discover are all accepted at the ticket booth and ATMs will be on site.

Benefit: 18 nonprofits to receive proceeds

• A portion of the fair proceeds will benefit 18 nonprofit organizations, including the Bloomfield Lions Club, Birmingham Youth Assistance, Building Better Families through Action, Village Players, Birmingham Optimist Club, Birmingham Police Officers Association and Birmingham Rotary Club.

Parking: Two hours free in city parking garages

• Parking will be available in all city parking garages, including the , , North Old Woodward, Park Street and garages.
• Festival-goers should note the Pierce garage is currently undergoing construction.
• The first two hours in any city garage is free. Parking is free in all garages on Sunday.

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