GREEN COVE SPRINGS – When Tasha Hyder got to work at the Clay County Fairgrounds last Monday, she was greeted with an unusual, but certainly welcomed, site of workers putting together rides for next week’s Agriculture Fair.

The bigger rides from Deggeller Attractions weren’t needed for this week’s county fair at nearby Putnam County, so the group specializing in building bustling midways sent them to Clay County.

“We’re 10 days out, and they’re already setting up the big rides,” said the fair’s executive director Hyder. “It’s really exciting to see the midway starting to take shape. That means we’re getting close.”

The fair association spent much of the weekend putting up banners and preparing most of the 65-acre lot for 11 days of rides, food, exhibits and fun. The fair opens on March 30 and runs through April 9.

The skeleton for the rollercoaster was going up on Monday, while workers also started to piece together the Sea Ray and the fair’s newest attraction, Crazy Mouse. Hyder, however, was excited to learn after years of asking, Deggeller found space on the Midway for its 90-foot Super Slide.

Fair-goers can still grab a deal ahead of opening ceremonies. Gate admission is reduced by $4 to $8 if they’re bought in advance at the fair’s website, claycountyfair.org. Also, ride armbands can be purchased in advance for $17 every night except Saturdays. Armband prices vary, ranging from $12 on opening day to $30 on Saturdays.

The fair also has two family packages. For $50, a family can receive four admission tickets and two armbands that can be used on any day except Saturdays. Also, for $100, a family can get six gate admissions and four ride armbands for any day except Saturdays.

A gate pass for all 11 days is available in advance for $75.

With rides already taking shape, the fairgrounds will be busy with home arts, horticulture, fair theme and 4-H projects being submitted on March 26-27. Chickens, pigs and rabbits will arrive on March 29, while cattle will be delivered on April 3.

“We’re already in fair mode,” Hyder said. “It’s going to be busy for the next three weeks. This is the best time for me – getting things in place and watching it all come together.”