The lights spin, the music blares and the screams of excited riders fill the air. 

This year’s South Carolina State Fair is giving visitors a whole new reason to hold on tight. Three new rides —The Mulligan Swing, Flash Dance and Downdraft —  are taking center stage and drawing some of the longest lines on the midway. 

Each ride offers a different kind of thrill.  

The Mulligan Swing lifts riders high above the fairgrounds, spinning them through the night sky with a panoramic view of Columbia.  

Flash Dance twists, turns and flips in every direction, set to upbeat music and colorful lights. 

 And the Downdraft, brand new and making its debut in South Carolina, sends riders plunging in a fast paced free fall designed to test even the bravest fairgoers. 

“It was fast,” said one rider, catching his breath after trying the Flash Dance twice. “I actually went on it earlier.” 

Another fairgoer said she could feel her stomach drop on the Downdraft. “It’s really fun,” she said. “Just if you have a weak stomach, you should probably not go on it.” 

For Lynda, the fair’s ride coordinator, the new additions are about more than just thrills. 

“Everyone is always excited to try something new,” she said. “When we finally open and take a breath, seeing people enjoy it makes you realize all the hard work came together. We turned a parking lot into an amusement park.” 

The South Carolina State Fair runs through Oct. 20, giving visitors plenty of time to experience the new rides for themselves.