When Bobby George first went to the Georgia State Fair as a child more than 50 years ago, he helped his father pick up soda bottles people discarded.

"My dad was a Coca-Cola man, and we had to go pick up the 6-ounce bottles on the grounds," said George, who is this year's chairman of the board of the Exchange Club of Macon. "I've gone all my life."

Many people like George have decades of memories from the Georgia State Fair the Exchange Club sponsors at Central City Park.

Although the old glass Coke bottles won't be a fair staple when the 151st annual Georgia State Fair opens today, the Exchange Club has just the ticket to make this fair a blast from the past.

This year, every fairgoer has the chance to win a vintage 1987 El Camino donated by Purser Truck Sales. Tickets will be presented with admission at the gate. The drawing will be held at 8 p.m. Sunday at the close of the fair.

Also new this year will be Saturday's Sportsman's Auction at 11 a.m. when antique guns, all-terrain vehicles, knives, hunting gear and golf carts go on the auction block. The items will be available for viewing at 10 a.m. that day.

Friday night features Latino Night with Hispanic dancers, bands and entertainment coordinated by Moises Velez, publisher of the Que Pasa newspaper.

"We're trying our best to open it up to everybody," George said at last week's Exchange Club meeting.

The only people who are not welcome are troublemakers.

"It's the safest place in Macon that week because we've got the cooperation of both forces," George said.

The Bibb County Sheriff's Office will be patrolling the midway, while the Macon Police Department will be covering the fairgrounds with the help of the Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency.

"If anybody is not coming to the fair because of security, that's not a good reason," said Capt. David Davis, public information officer for the Bibb County Sheriff's Office. "We've not had any serious incidents down there in the last several years."

Money raised through the fair stays in the community and funds projects such as the Exchange Club's new Child Abuse Prevention Foundation, George said.

Not only will the smell of elephant ears, Polish sausage and cotton candy be tempting the taste buds, but everyone has the opportunity to really get their fill of fair food by entering the all-you-can-eat contests today through Friday.

Champion chow contestants will face off for Chili's watermelon at 2 p.m. today, Nu-Way Weiners at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Ingleside Village Pizza at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dunkin' Donuts at 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Popeye's corn on the cob at 4:15 p.m.

Seems even Popeye is giving up on the spinach these days.

Event schedules are available at www.georgiastatefair.org.

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GEORGIA STATE FAIR

Held in Macon since 1851, the fair offers food, livestock competitions, midway rides and lots more. Today you can buy an unlimited-ride wristband for $15 ($12 in advance.) The midway opens at noon. Other special events include a talent show at 6 p.m. and a rock concert by 2 Finger Jester at 9 p.m. At Central City Park, Macon. 746-7184. Admission is $5 at the gate, $3 in advance.