Want to hear The King - or at least a reasonable facsimile?

Then head to the Georgia State Fair next week, which will feature, among other offerings, an Elvis impersonator. The fair opens Monday afternoon at Central City Park and continues through Sept. 28.

Owned and operated by the Exchange Club of Macon, the fair will have an arcade game room, an indoor paint-ball gallery, a chain-saw artist who carves animals out of blocks of wood, ostrich races, a petting zoo, a hypnotist, eating contests, barbecue and chili cookoffs, an entertainment stage, arts and crafts exhibits, and livestock competitions.

And did we mention rides? Lots of rides.

The State Fair has been held in Macon since 1851, and it has a long tradition of family entertainment. The Exchange Club took control of the fair in 1942 as its major fund-raiser to support local charities and community service programs.

There are admission and unlimited ride specials during the week. Among them: When the midway opens Monday at 3 p.m., all rides are $1. There is free admission Wednesday for all city and county employees. Military personnel are admitted free each day.