The first hint of fall in the air brings the same comment each year from one of my kids: “It’s starting to feel like the State Fair.”

In Columbia, that means the 11 days of rides, games, animal exhibits, fried food and music at the State Fairgrounds at Rosewood and Assembly streets, across from Williams-Brice football stadium. This year’s state fair runs from Oct. 13-24.

Aside from college football, the State Fair has always been one of the most anticipated rites of fall in our house. We have the stuffed animals to prove it.

County and regional fairs kick off in early September in various parts of South Carolina and continue until early November.

Here is a schedule of this year’s fairs around the state, with locations, dates and websites. Each is sure to offer a day -- or more -- of family fun.

Upper South Carolina State Fair, U.S. 123 at S.C. 124 between Greenville and Easley, Sept. 2-12, www.upperscstatefair.com

Orangeburg County Fair, 350 Magnolia St., Orangeburg, Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, www.orangeburgcountyfair.org

Sumter County Fair, 30 S. Artillery Drive, Sumter, Sept. 28-Oct. 3, www.sumterfair.com

Eastern Carolina Agricultural Fair, 5226 E. Palmetto St., Florence, Oct. 6-16, www.ecafair.com

Piedmont Interstate Fair, 575 Fairgrounds Road, Spartanburg, Oct. 11-17, www.piedmontinterstatefair.com

South Carolina State Fair, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, Oct. 13-24, www.scstatefair.org

Western Carolina State Fair, 1566 Columbia Hwy N., Aiken, Oct. 21-30, www.westerncarolinastatefair.com

Coastal Carolina Fair, 9850 Hwy 78, Ladson, Oct. 28 - Nov. 6, www.coastalcarolinafair.org

Carolina Foothills Heritage Fair, Golden Corner Commerce Park and Fairgrounds, 1220 Highway 59, Fair Play, Nov. 3-7, www.carolinafoothillsheritagefair.org