The familiar red choo-choo that chugs around Exchange Club Park during the annual fair got a makeover during the summer.

The cars are wider and the ride is smoother, thanks to some elbow grease and ingenuity from several club members, said fair chairman Marty Moore.

The fair is open Thursday from 6-10 p.m. at Exchange Club Park. It will be open Friday and Saturday 6-10 p.m. as well. It will enjoy a second weekend run Aug. 2-4 with the same hours. A fireworks finale will close the fair.

Parking and admission is free, but there is a charge for food, games and rides. A $10 bracelet can be purchased each night for unlimited rides.

The upgrade to the train was this year’s remodeling project, Moore said. Last year, they tackled the 75-year-old cast aluminum kiddie cars, giving them sleek paint jobs and company sponsorship.

They’d like to follow that same funding project with the train cars, but members didn’t have time before fair time came around to approach businesses. That option is still available if anyone wants to sponsor a train car, Moore said.

They wanted to rebuild the cars to make them roomier for families to ride together.

“The cars are more comfortable,” he said. “They’re a little larger and more comfortable for adults.”

Club member Mike Walley worked on the hydraulic system with the help of Boyd’s Steel Supply & Trailer Parts. The brotherly duo of Chad and Mike Moak, both club members, fixed up the cars.

The food available on the midway will be prepared and sold by the Bogue Chitto dance team. Games are manned by different clubs and organizations within Lincoln County and the surrounding area.

Moore is hopeful the weather will cooperate — not too hot and not too rainy.

“It’s looking like it’s going to be good for us,” he said.

The National Weather Service is predicting a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms Saturday afternoon.