The Mighty Thomas Carnival will appear at the 2009 Rapides Parish Fair, in Alexandria, Oct. 14-18, 2009.  The traveling show will provide thrilling rides, fun games and tasty carnival treats at the Coliseum Fairgrounds for the 27th straight year.  Founded in 1928, in Lennox, S.D., by Art B. Thomas, the carnival is now based near Austin, Texas, and is providing it 81st season of fun and excitement for fair-goers.

Feature attractions on the midway include Pharoh's Fury, Tilt a Whirl, the Spider and more.  New rides this year include the Spin Out thrill ride, the Moby Dick and the Cobra Coaster, a new family roller coaster.

Entry of Arts and Crafts will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Coliseum Exhibition Hall. All 4-H, FFA members and adult exhibitors can participate from Rapides Parish.