Number 774 chomped on a clump of hay. Three-year-old Terry Adams shredded his favorite, the corn dog, before eating it. And Donald Holmes, 50, deposited a pint of vanilla ice cream into his stomach in less than three minutes. For cows, children and adults, there were plenty of good eats on opening day of the Georgia State Fair. A new date, ahead of the other fair in Perry, along with a school holiday and a pleasant 82 degrees, brought a sizable crowd to the state fair, which has been held in Macon since 1851. Early in the day, not all of the rides were up and running as strong as the aroma of cotton candy. Foul weather at its previous stop, a computer problem on the roller coaster and an accident involving the Ferris wheel truck and a parked car delayed the opening of some of the amusements. By 7 p.m., however, 45 of the carnival's 55 rides were operational, said Amusements of America co-owner Dominic Vivona, who said he has had only about four hours of sleep since Saturday. Vivona - who with his four brothers took an ice cream stand and turned it into the largest traveling amusement business in the world - said the crowd in Macon was large, like in the old days. "We really enjoy being here," Vivona, 70, said of his 40th year in Macon. By dusk, the shrills and laughter could be heard on the spinning Fire Ball and on nearly everything else that goes upside-down, around and around, and sideways. Harold Carlisle, executive director of the fair, apologized for the delay in opening all of the rides. But he said he hopes 100,000 people will come to Central City Park this week to enjoy a spruced-up fairgrounds and new events, such as a nightly laser show, an Elvis-impersonation contest and a Memphis in May barbecue cook-off. At least three students from Houston County hope many will show up for their cow competition. Heather Foss, Megan Bell and Kathryn Bell said their friends on the cheerleading squad make fun of them, but, nonetheless, they are proud to be a part of an award-winning squad at Houston County High School. "I personally never thought I would be doing this, but it changed me," said Kathryn Bell, 15. Bell said she used to be "Miss Priss." "Used to be?" joked Foss. The girls said they spend afternoons and weekends working with the animals, and their team travels across the country going to competitions. Foss said she is often nervous when she is judged for showmanship and her cow, Jessie, is judged for class. But Foss said she enjoys the hard work. "The best thing about it, on this team, you always start," said Mark Smith, a vocational agriculture instructor who coaches at Jones County High School. Unfortunately for Smith's and several other teams from surrounding counties, there is no room for some of them at Friday's competition, even though they had registered in time. Smith said state officials told them the fair could not exceed 130 slots, and tying up cows outside would not be allowed. Luckily for Donald Holmes, the ice cream-eating competition Monday went off without a hitch. Holmes, who lost his left arm in an automobile accident, said he learned to eat fast in the military. "Eat it now, swallow it later," the mantra went, said Holmes, who steadied the carton of Kinnett Supreme vanilla ice cream between his legs as he shoveled in the last bites. Holmes won the competition in the adult category, but he wasn't the only one prepared for battle. K'Shae Haywood was jumping up and down in excitement before the contest. Her little hand could barely grasp the pint of vanilla. K'Shae did not win, despite practicing ahead of time, but that did not stop her from showing off a huge smile. Others appeared to be enjoying themselves Monday, as well. Butch Griffin of the Exchange Club Fair of Southwest Georgia said he was in Carlisle's office to "steal" ideas. Exchange Clubs run the Macon fair and about 12 others, Griffin said. Macon Police Lt. Eric Woodford said at least 60 members of the Macon Police Department, Bibb County Sheriff's Office, Emergency Management Agency, and Board of Education Police - including volunteers - were on hand to make sure the fair was safe for all.