County fairs might seem like an antiquated concept to some, but the Atlanta area offers many places where Ferris wheels and funnel cakes are still part of the upcoming fall fun. The suburban and rural settings of these fairs lend themselves to the anachronistic atmosphere, with petting zoos, midway games and other old-fashioned attractions for all ages. From country concerts and carnival rides to beauty pageants and pop singers, the small-town quaintness makes for a nostalgic tradition in an environment otherwise known for more modern living. Here’s a look at what some of the areas better known fairs have to offer.

Gwinnett County Fair

Fall festival season unofficially begins with the Gwinnett County Fair, one of the biggest fairs in the Atlanta area. Carnival ride mainstays such as the Ferris wheel, carousel and Gravitron are complemented by the antics of Dune Buggy the Clown, musical performances by the likes of Jypsi and David Ball and livestock shows including a commercial dairy heifer show. The Miss Gwinnett Pageant gives girls of all ages a chance to compete for tiaras and scholarships. Arts, crafts and other wares will be available from vendors in the exhibit hall, while the Fearless Flores Thrill Show offers Evel Knievel-style stunts that are a throwback to the daredevils who paved the way for today’s extreme sports performers. And whether you’re a bovine enthusiast or a goat lover, there will be plenty of these and other farm animals on display each day of the fair.

4 p.m.-11 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturdays, 1 p.m.-10 p.m. Sundays. Sept. 16-26. $5 for adults; $2 for ages 6-12 and 65 and older; free for children ages 5 and younger. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 770-963-6522, www.gwinnettcountyfair.com .

North Georgia State Fair

Going into its 78th year, the North Georgia State Fair is the largest event of its kind in the Atlanta area. As a result, this fair maintains a small-town wholesomeness while offering entertainment for hundreds of thousands of visitors from through the Southeast. Performances by big-name country acts like Diamond Rio and the Charlie Daniels Band, as well as Christian rock acts like Hawk Nelson, are a major attraction. But there are more traditional carnival attractions, as well. Returning favorites such as the Frisco Brothers Elephant Show, the chainsaw sculptures of Brian Ruth, a petting zoo and tiger shows will be joined by new attractions including Wildlife Wendy’s Tropical Birds, the K9s in Flight dog stunt show and a narrative performance called Bear Mountain that features live bears. Thrill-seekers of all ages will find more than 40 midway rides and games. Just about anyone can find some fun at the flower shows, beauty pageants, a car show and much more at this enormous fair.

4 p.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 23, 27-30; 4 p.m.-midnight Sept. 24, Oct. 1; 10 a.m.-midnight Sept. 25, Oct. 2; 12:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 26, Oct. 3. $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 7-18, free for children ages 6 and younger, $3 for parking, $1 each for ride tickets, $20 for 22 tickets, $50 for 55 tickets. North Georgia State Fairgrounds, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. 770-423-1330, www.northgeorgiastatefair.com .

Rockdale County Fair

The Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, which lends itself to fair-like festivities, is part of the reason for the Rockdale County Fair’s success over the past six years. The spacious facility offers plenty of room for a carnival midway featuring roller coasters, bumper cars, a carousel and new attractions such as the Daring Double SkyWheel. As in past years, the Rockdale fair also features musical acts ranging from the modern rock of Manic Bloom and the R&B pop of ConSoulTant to the rocking country of the Dalton Gang and the Colgate Country Showdown, featuring numerous acts competing for cash prizes and other opportunities. Other entertainment includes riding-lawnmower racing, the Miss Rockdale County Fair Pageant, a fitness zone, food and merchandise vendors, martial arts demonstrations and more.

5 p.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-11 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Sept. 25-Oct. 3. $3-$6. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway N.E., Conyers. 404-387-6296, www.rockdalecountyfair.com .

Cumming Country Fair & Festival

If you miss the North Georgia State Fair (or just can’t get enough of it), the Cumming Country Fair & Festival follows with many of the same events and attractions. Carnival rides, midway games, fried foods and other festival fun are the focal point, but there’s plenty more than coasters and cotton candy at this uniquely rural event. Daily events include country concerts by the likes of Little Texas, Colt Ford and Tanya Tucker, as well as the Christian rock of Phil Stacey and Chris Sligh. Brian Ruth’s chainsaw carvings, a new gravity-defying ride called the Enterprise Wheel and dance performances fill out the lineup. Add attractions such as OSCAR the Robot, Bear Mountain, a petting zoo and the Little Miss Forsyth County Pageant, and you’ve got a down-home good time. And those who venture into Heritage Village can see anachronistic attractions such as a blacksmith, cider press, cotton gin and steam engine shed.

4 p.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 4 p.m.-midnight Fridays, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturdays, 12:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Sundays. Oct. 7-17. $7 for adults, $5 in advance; $3 for children ages 5-18, $2 in advance; free for children ages 4 and younger, $3 for parking, $1 each for ride tickets, $20 for 22 tickets, $50 for 55 tickets. Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming. 770-781-3491, www.cummingfair.net .