<P> There was also a circus big top, arcade games, vendors, and a large carousel that remained on the premises until 1967 . It became a popular destination for families in the spring and summer months . In the wintertime, one of the buildings was "converted into a southern anomaly: an ice skating rink ." </P> <P> Lakewood Fairgrounds's most distinctive feature is its four Spanish colonial - style livestock exhibition halls . For over twenty years, the Lakewood Fairgrounds Antique Mall was held in the exhibition halls every second weekend of the month . Over 15,000 antique dealers were on hand for the monthly event, until the weekend of October 13--15, 2006, when the Lakewood Antique Market closed its doors for good...The Fairground halls were leased for the Antiques market on as a 50 - year lease from the City of Atlanta by Ed Spivia, who promoted it until it was established as an Atlanta icon . </P> <P> The main thrill ride at Lakewood Fairgrounds was the Greyhound . The Greyhound was the old wooden roller coaster that was featured in all three Smokey and the Bandit films . Designed by John A. Miller, it was in operation from 1915 to 1974 . The Greyhound was out of service during the early part of the 1956 season due to a major rebuild . After 1974, it sat out of operation for a number of years while the crowds at the fair continued to dwindle around it . Then, after a final repaint, its destruction was captured on film as a scene in the film Smokey and the Bandit II . </P> <P> In the' 40s, a dirt track was built around the lake, called Lakewood Speedway and was used for various races . </P>

Roller coaster destroyed in smokey and the bandit 2