Judging by the line of people at the box office waiting to buy tickets to enter the 97th Southwest Florida Lee County Fair, this could well be the best fair yet.

Sneak Peek Thursday attracted a larger number of people than ever to the Lee Civic Center, thanks to $1 admission and $1 rides. Before that, they offered $12 general admission.

To keep people safe, things were a little more spread out and rides were disinfected after every use. There will also be temperature checks at the gate, where people will walk in and if someone registers a temperature over 100.5 degrees, they will not be allowed in.

Those who got in were really happy to see the fair return after nearly a year of hearing about nothing but COVID.

Sharlene Slosar, of Cape Coral, has attended the fair with friends for years. For her it’s something she always does.

“My friend used to work at fairs before she retired. She had a booth, so we come back every year,” Slosar said. “I like going on the rides and eating corn dogs.

Dianne Miller came with her family for the goat show, as members of 4-H, they have come for years for the animals.

“We come for 4-H every year. We’ve been here a lot, for many, many years for the livestock,” Miller said. “My husband loves the candy apples and mine is the lemonade.”

The rides were all functioning, while Renata The Band performed the first music set before sunset. With so many people coming, the first day was a good sign.

“Seeing the people come in is a great sight,” said Mike Peak, fair board president. “They expect great weather, it’s a great family event and I hope everybody comes out.”

Today will be the official start of the fair, with free admission from 4 to 6 p.m. and free rides from 5 to 6 p.m. The first Moonlight Madness will be from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., with $25 admission.

The weekend will bring regular gate admission and $40 ride wristbands. Active military and veterans will be admitted free with an ID card for the entire fair. Gates open at 11 a.m.

Monday, March 1, is Harry Chapin Food Bank Night, with free admission with the donation of three cans of food. Tuesday will be $15 Tuesday, with all the rides you can handle for $15 after gate admission. Gates open at 4 p.m. each day.

Wednesday is Senior and Military Day, with gates opening at 2 p.m., with $5 admission all day and $10 ride bands for kiddie rides and $20 for all rides.

Thursday is $25 admission for the gate and all rides. Gates open at 4 p.m.

Moonlight Madness returns Friday, March 5, while Sunday, the final day of the fair will have a last push promotion, which they keep secret until then.

Free attractions include the Eudora Farms Petting Zoo, Ron Diamond Hypnosis Magic, Marc Dobson, the One-Man Band, the Moogician, Tadpole the Clown, Renata The Band, the Fritzy Brothers, Danny Grant’s Cowboy Circus and more.

General admission tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Children age 6 to 11 is $4 in advance, $5 at the gate. The $25 Mega Pass, which includes admission and all the rides, is available until next Thursday.

The Lee Civic Center is at 11831 Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers.

For more information, go to swflcfair.com.