The sights and sounds of the carnival midway will beckon kids of all ages this week to come to the 64th annual Coosa Valley Fair.

Taking place at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, this year’s edition of the traditional fall festival is scheduled to include familiar events and rides as well as some new additions.

The fair begins Tuesday and continues through Saturday with admission costing $5 for those 11 and older and $3 for children ages 6-10. Children 6 and younger will be admitted free, and there is free parking at the fairgrounds.

Kirk Milam, second vice president of the Coosa Valley Fair Association, said that preparations have been on target as they get ready to host five days worth of family fun.

“It’s going great,” Milam said. “We had last weekend to get things cleaned up and we’re ready for the rides to roll in Monday for our big opening on Tuesday.”

Proceeds from the fair go into the Exchange Club of Rome’s community service projects, with the bulk being used for the group’s Family Resource Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

“Everybody is getting excited and we’re hoping we have good fall weather,” Milam said.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. Tuesday with carloads admitted for $5, and visitors will be able to check out the numerous exhibits and livestock shows. Admission specials will be available almost every day of the fair.

Tuesday will be highlighted by the Coosa Valley Fair cheerleading exhibition at 7 p.m. Area high school competition cheerleading squads will show their school spirit performing their routines for the crowds.

Wednesday and Thursday night will bring about the Little Miss Coosa Valley Fair pageants as the youngest age groups are judged on Wed­nesday and girls ages 6-17 take the stage Thursday.

The Miss Coosa Valley Fair Pageant will happen Saturday night as girls from a 15-county area will compete to win the title of Miss Coosa Valley Fair. All pageants begin at 7 p.m.

The Brian Staples Animal Encounters show will be presented several times throughout the week.

A new event this year will be the OTR Chuck Wagon Cook-Off sponsored by OTR Wheel Engineering Inc.

Sanctioned by the American Chuck Wagon Association, the cook-off will see groups judged on their encampments and how they recreate the way meals were prepared for cowboys during trips out west.

Meals will be served Saturday from noon until 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance at 333 on Broad, La Marie’s at Magretta Hall or Terry Simmons State Farm.

Milam assures the public that all of their favorite rides will be available, courtesy of Wade Shows, and a number of games of skill.

Armbands for unlimited rides will be available for purchase but people can save as much as $7 per armband by buying them through Monday at www.coosavalleyfair.com.

COOSA VALLEY FAIR SCHEDULE

Tuesday

5 to 6 p.m. — GRAND OPENING SPECIAL: Carload admitted for $5 (no trucks or vans)

5 p.m. — Sneak-a-peek: $18 armbands; unlimited rides until closing

5 p.m. — Flower Show, Homemaking Arts and Crafts, and Photography and Art exhibits open

6 p.m. — Coosa Valley Village building opens

6 p.m. — Junior and Open Swine Shows

6 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

7 p.m. — Coosa Valley Fair Cheerleading Competition, sponsored by the Coosa Valley Credit Union

9 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

Wednesday

KIDS DAY

1 to 3 p.m. — School’s Out Special: Free admission for all students

1 p.m. until closing — Unlimited rides with purchase of $20 armbands

1 p.m. — Junior and Open Beef Shows

2 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

6 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

7 p.m. — Little Miss Coosa Valley Fair: ages younger than 12 months to 5 years, sponsored by Miss Rome Scholarship Program

9 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

Thursday

SENIOR CITIZENS DAY

1 to 5 p.m. — Free admission age 55 and older, featuring entertainment, games and prizes

1 p.m. — Miss Senior Coosa Valley Fair (age 50-plus)

2 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

5 p.m. — Gates open: unlimited rides with $20 armbands valid until closing

5:30 p.m. — Junior Lamb Show (Dairy Show to follow lamb show)

6 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

7 p.m. — Little Miss Coosa Valley Fair: ages 6 to 17, sponsored by Miss Rome Scholarship Program

9 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

Friday

5 p.m. — Gates open. Unlimited rides with purchase of $20 armbands

6 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

7 p.m. — OTR Chuck Wagon Cook-Off encampment and wagon judging

9 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

Saturday, Oct. 6

10 to 11 a.m. — Pre-opening special: Carload admitted for $5 (no trucks or vans)

10 a.m. — Gates open until midnight. Armbands $25, unlimited rides until closing.

10 a.m. to Noon — Little Miss Coosa Valley “Challenger” and Miss Coosa Valley “Challenger” pageants

Noon to 1 p.m. — OTR Chuck Wagon food serving: tickets required

1 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

5 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

7 p.m. — Miss Coosa Valley Fair Pageant

9 p.m. — Brian Staples Animal Encounters Show

Note: Any and all Coosa Valley Fair activities, including armbands, may be canceled because of inclement weather.

Armband Pre-Sale: Go to CoosaValleyFair.com to save as much as $7 per armband — offer valid through Monday.