There are no flashy carnival rides. No smell of corn dogs or funnel cakes. No impossible carnival games.

That led Joanne Schell, 64, of Pompano Beach, to wonder on Sunday: ``Where is the fair?''

The Broward County Fair opened Friday without its staple carnival rides, midway, games and food booths. A tight budget and lack of a permanent home for the fair forced organizers to squeeze the event into a Pompano Beach shopping mall, and to drop many of the fair's main draws. The fair runs through Nov. 29.

``We were very close to not doing anything this year,'' said Beth Jarvis, the fair's production manager, who has been involved with the fair for almost 30 years. ``But there are so many kids. We didn't want to disappoint them.''

Driving into the Pompano Beach Citi Centre at U.S. 1 and Copans Road, small signs planted in the swales are the only indication that the 34th annual event is under way.

``Free community showcase,'' the signs read. And in parentheses: ``No rides, games or midway attractions.''

Kids' science and art projects are showcased in empty storefronts instead of tents. The horticulture display is set up in the Lowe's Garden Center. And instead of booths selling staple fair foods, fairgoers can choose from Cold Stone Creamery and Rotelli pizza and pasta to satisfy their hunger.

``It's not a big fair,'' admitted Linda Brown, the fair's marketing manager. ``A lot of people miss the corn dogs and ice cream.''

But not everyone misses the attractions. Diane Bode, 47, of Margate, watched her son play NASCAR 09 on a PlayStation 2 in the back of a souped-up Ford Fusion, part of the NASCAR display.

``I kind of like the idea that there are no rides,'' Bode said. ``It gets so chaotic with all the kids, all the noise and all the smells.''

THE PRIMARY GOAL

Even though this year's fair has been scaled back, organizers said they have stayed true to its primary goal: to support local students. But the free admission means organizers probably won't be able to offer as many scholarships as in the past. Since its inception, the fair has donated $2.5 million in aid for Broward students.

Lisa White stopped by Sunday afternoon to admire her son's science project: a white board with black and red construction paper investigating whether temperature affects magnets. He got a score of 100 percent, said his proud mother. Her son looked forward to having his work displayed, she said.

``Having a middle school boy, they never say anything. But he came home and told me,'' said White, 46, of Deerfield Beach. ``He was very excited.''

Outside, live music drew shoppers, who put down their bags to tap their feet to funky jazz by The Amp Band.

Jonathan Israel, 4, bopped up and down to the music as his mother looked on.

``It's great,'' said Sasha Israel, 33, of Pompano Beach. ``We didn't even know it was here.''

Fair organizers hope to bring back the food and amusements next year.

SEARCH FOR SPACE

They are already looking for a venue but haven't come up with a short list yet. In the meantime, Jarvis, the long-time volunteer, has a message for fairgoers:

``Call your county commissioners,'' she said. ``Tell them we need a fairground.''