The carousel is spinning, the &uot;killer&uot; dogs are sizzling and the stuffed animals are just waiting to be won.

After a one-year hiatus due to Hurricane Ivan, the Butler County Fair is once again up and running at the fairgrounds. The event, sponsored by the Greenville Kiwanis Club, kicked off at 5 p.m. yesterday and continues through Saturday night.

Along with livestock exhibits, award-winning commercial and community exhibits, fine art, arts and crafts, foods and flowers are all on display at the 2005 fair.

Archway Amusements offers fair attendees a variety of rides and games for all ages.

&uot;We are so happy to be able to bring the fair back this year to Butler County,&uot; Susan Rhodes, outgoing Kiwanis president, said.

&uot;Last year, the fair was going to come right on the heels of Hurricane Ivan. Some of our communities still didn’t have power; people were struggling and we just didn’t feel right taking money out of the county that was needed for essential things,&uot; Rhodes explained.

She said plans for this year’s fair have gone very smoothly due to the Butler County Fair Board’s hard work.

&uot;The board oversees the whole event for us. James Peavey and Richard Branum head it up and do a wonderful job,&uot; Rhodes said.

According to Rhodes, the fair is the civic club’s number one fundraiser during the year and goes to many worthy causes.

&uot;Some of the monies we raise, for example, allow us to give some of the underprivileged children in the area a great dinner and Christmas gifts each December,&uot; she said.

As always, Rhodes says, the fair will offer &uot;great entertainment and great food – including our not-to-be-missed ‘killer’ hot dogs.&uot;

&uot;The Kiwanis are a great group and we all have a good time working out at the fairgrounds. We just pray the rain will stay away and everyone will be able to come out and have a great time with us,&uot; Rhodes said.

Gates open at 5 p.m. through Friday and at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children age 6-11. Kids 5 and under get in for free.

Tonight is Senior Citizens’ Night with free admission to those 65 and older. Thursday night is Family Night and a chance to ride all evening long for just $10.

On Saturday, gates open at 2 p.m. with free admission between 2-4 p.m. for children ages 6-11.

Between 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, fairgoers can ride as much as they like for only $8. After 4 p.m. regular admission and ride costs will apply.