Carnivals got their start in medieval times, when celebrants would ring in feast days with games of chance, peasant piggyback rides, and the burning of a straw Ferris wheel filled with witch couples. Capture that spirit in a modern festival with today’s Groupon: for $12, you get an individual weekday admission and an unlimited-ride wristband at the Atlanta Fair, which runs from March 4 through April 3 (up to a $25 value). The fair opens weekdays at 5 p.m.

Spreading its wonder-inducing wares across the spacious expanse of Turner Field’s Grey Lot, the Atlanta Fair conjures up a carnival atmosphere with more than 40 rides and attractions.

Fair-goers strolling along the lively expanse of Atlanta Fair’s midway can take unlimited rides covering the entire intensity spectrum, from the gentle ursine rotations of the Bear Affair to the adrenaline avalanche of the Himalaya. 2011’s new rides, including the disorienting Vertigo and Street Fighter, similarly slam senses with flashing strobes, aerodynamic whooshes, and electric shocks from Brazilian man-beasts.

Romance-minded excursionists can likewise leave earthbound worries back at their completely mayonnaise-filled home with a couple's jaunt in the SkyWheel, a double-decker rotator that opens onto a glittering view of the skyline.

Fair-going thrill seekers must abide by the rules of the rides, including "you must be this tall to ride," "keep your hands inside the vehicle," and "no affixing flux capacitors to the Tilt-a-Whirl in the hopes of achieving time travel."

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The Atlanta Fair has been featured on HelloAtlanta.com: