Fair time is just around the corner, and Brookhaven ExchangeClub members are busy getting the park ready for the annual familyevent.

“I think we’re up to date,” said Ted Ratcliff, club president.”Everything seems to be moving along.”

This year’s fair is scheduled to kick off Saturday, July 31,around 6:30 p.m. It will go through Aug. 7, with the fair closed onSunday.

“We’ll be out here all next week getting things ready to go,”Ratcliff said Thursday during a club meeting work night at the parknear West Congress Street.

The fair features a variety of rides, booth games and food fromthe Midway kitchen. All aspects of the fair have at least a littlesomething new this year.

Regarding the rides, club members are installing new seats forthe popular swings. Ratcliff said other rides are getting routineattention.

“We’re working hard sprucing up, maintaining and inspectingthem,” Ratcliff said.

Fair-goers who enjoy games of skill will have larger prizes toaim for this year. Ratcliff said the club was able to get severalhundred teddy bears and similar items for the games and thesouvenir booth.

“When they win the games, you’ve got to have something to givethem,” Ratcliff said.

Thanks to some renewed interest on the part of some club memberswho will oversee the operation, Ratcliff said pork skins sales arereturning to the fair.

“We haven’t had pork skins in several years,” Ratcliff said.

Again this year, club members have been selling chances on aYamaha 4-wheeler. Tickets sales will be going on nightly during thefair and a drawing for the vehicle will be held the last night.

“It’s coming along good,” Ratcliff said about ticket sales.

While the park grounds, prizes and equipment are shaping up forthe fair, Ratcliff said manpower is still needed for some nights.He said there are some openings for volunteers to work in theMidway kitchen, in a booth or in some other area of the fair.

“We have worked through a good part of the schedule,” Ratcliffsaid. “We’ve got some opportunities for some folks to serve.”

Ratcliff said helping at the fair would be a good way for highschool students to get community service hours needed forgraduation. He also mentioned service hours for Boys Scouts and BigBrothers Big Sisters.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call Ratcliff at 833-1990or 754-9111.