WORTH THE WAIT

By TILDON DUNN

The North Carolina State Fair – dating back to 1853 – returns this year on Oct. 14-24 offering rides, music, people-watching, educational exhibits, commercial exhibits, competitions, livestock, free entertainment, old time heritage crafts and much more.

And, of course…the food. Or, perhaps more accurately: THE FOOD!

“We know that food is the number one reason people come to the fair,” said Heather Overton, the fair’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs. “And many, like me, cannot wait for the return of our fair food vendors.”

NORTH Overton said fair-goers’ favorites are typically roasted corn, funnel cakes, turkey CAROLINA STATE FAIR OFFERS legs and the many other things vendors find to fry and/or put on a stick. “I know that our vendors are busy dreaming up RIDES, LIVE MUSIC, their new foods to bring (this year) – and it’s a list we generally put on our

EXHIBITS, Facebook page about a week before the

COMPETITIONS start of the Fair.” She also noted that Cary Methodist

AND FOOD! Church – which has sold ham biscuits at the fair for more than 100 years – returns this year, along with NC State Fair Howling Cow Ice Cream.

But there’s more to the Fair than just culinary specialties – including popular returning events and activities, and a variety of new attractions.

“We will have a brand new Got to Be NC Pavilion in Dorton Arena, (featuring) local products, cooking demonstrations, pop up competitions and more,” Overton said. “The Got to Be NC Pavilion will be a highlight of your visit. It shows the agricultural diversity in our state and allows you to taste and purchase products developed by your neighbors right here in North Carolina.”

Top notch North Carolina musical talent is spotlighted daily on the Waterfall Stage, the Bluegrass Stage and throughout the Fair – even at night.

“And our Heritage Circle area is now a Forestry Building,” said Overton, noting that the new structure will house exhibits related to the NC Forest Service and Soil and Water Conservation. “The building’s siding and interior walls will be clad in many of North Carolina’s native tree species.”

Historically, the arts, crafts, animals, garden competitions have been a large part of the fair — and 2021 is no different. In fact, interest and participation seems higher than ever.

“In 2019, the fair had more than 28,000 entries into its competitions. With the cancellation of the 2020 NC State Fair, we’ve seen increased interest in entering competitions this year,” adding that, usually, lines form to view the winning decorated cakes, quilts and other crafts. “And the giant pumpkins on display in the Expo Building are one of the most popular photo spots at the fairgrounds. Blue ribbons certainly draw attention throughout the fair!”

New competitions for this year include decorated Christmas Trees, planted wheelbarrows, painted rocks and decorated footwear. A list of all competitions is available at ncstatefair.org (entry registration continues through Sept. 15).

Overton stressed that there is something for everyone this year at the fairgrounds in 2021, such as the crafters in the Village of Yesteryear, the Skygazer Ferris Wheel and the Smoky Bear in the Forest Service area.

“But each person usually has their own can’t-be-missed fair activities,” she said. “What I recommend is that fairgoers check on the daily program online and decide what free entertainment and exhibits they want to see on their visit.”

HEATHER OVERTON

POSITION: Assistant Director of Public Affairs YEARS IN POSITION: 6 (started in 2013) EDUCATION: NC State graduate AGE: 44

RESIDENCE: Wake Forest FAMILY: 2 sons: Jordan, 17; Zach, 14 PETS: Kelso (black lab), Pancake (corgi-mix), Oreo (cat), Gary (bearded dragon), Mickey (goat), Bryce (goat) INTERESTS: Travel (especially NC mountains or coast); Needlework (‘‘no blue ribbons – yet…maybe one day’’) FAVORITE FAIR RIDE: Fair Flyer (“chair lift with 7-min ride over the midway – very pretty at night”) FAVORITE FAIR FOOD: Too many to list (“I will have roasted corn at least once!”)

Fair-goers’ favorite (foods) are typically roasted corn, funnel cakes,

turkey legs and the many other things vendors find to fry and/or put on a stick.

HEATHER OVERTON Assistant Director of Public Affairs North Carolina State Fair

Photos Courtesy of NC State Fair

NC STATE FAIR ATTENDANCE RECORDS

1,091,887 2010 1,028,364 2016 1,019,732 2015 1,014,478 2017 1,009,173 2011

SOURCE: ncstatefair.org

Overton did offer some specific advice on how to ensure fair-goers enjoy the full North Carolina State Fair experience: Plan the visit, and plan to visit more than once. “It is just too much to see in one trip,” she said.

The Got to Be NC Pavilion will be a highlight of your visit. It shows the agricultural diversity

in our state and allows you to taste and purchase products developed by your neighbors

right here in North Carolina.

HEATHER OVERTON Assistant Director of Public Affairs North Carolina State Fair

NC STATE FAIR HISTORY

1853 First State Fair (4 days); largest attendance day – 4,000 1861-68 No State Fair due to Civil War and Reconstruction Period 1869 State Fair returns 1873 State Fair moves to larger site near NC State University 1884 Electricity first utilized at State Fair 1891 First Midway ride debuts (Switchback Railway) 1905 Pres. Theodore Roosevelt speaks to fairgoers 1916 Cary United Methodist Church serves its first ham biscuit

1941 Record-breaking crowds attend State Fair, with exhibits and livestock so numerous that tents were erected to handle overflow

1942-45 Fair closed due to World War II 1952 State Fair Livestock Pavilion completed, boasting the world’s first column-free roof (renamed J.S. Dorton Arena in 1961) 1961 Fair first operates for six days 1969 Fair expands to nine days 1976 President Gerald Ford speaks to fairgoers 1978 Fairgrounds acquires additional acres 1986 Fair expands to 10 days 2003 Fair celebrates 150-year anniversary 2006 Midway expands to more than 100 rides 2010 1,091,887 people attend the fair (most ever) 2016 State Fair Flyer becomes first permanent ride on the Midway 2020 Fair cancelled due to COVID, prompting sales of “So Un-Fair” t-shirts

NC STATE FAIR EXTRAS

ADMISSION TICKETS

General admission prices are unchanged from 2019, other than the addition of a $5 Senior (65-over) admission price. Seniors will also still get into the fair for free on Senior Day (Tuesday, Oct. 22). Admission price for adults is $13 at the Gate, or $10 in advance. Youth ages 6 to 12 is $7 at the Gate, and $5 in advance. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free.

Special discount days, admission and ride tickets, and ticket packages are available at ncstatefair.org. Buying in advance also means fair-goers skip the line at the gate to purchase tickets.

PARKING

NC State Fair offers plenty of free parking at Carter Finely Stadium and PNC Arena. There are private properties near the fairgrounds that offer parking for a fee.

BUSIEST DAYS

Traditionally, opening day is the least busy at the Fair, followed by weekdays like Monday and Tuesday. The first Friday of the Fair is usually less busy than the second Friday. Saturday and Sundays are usually the busiest days.

ACCESSABILITY

Link to information on AccessAbility Day: ncagr.gov/paffairs/ documents/7_19_21BandwidthPartnershipRelease.pdf

SAFETY

The NC State Fair will follow requirements given by the Governor’s office.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR

DATES: Oct. 14-24. LOCATION: 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh TICKET PRICES: Adult $13; Youth, $7; Senior (65 and over), $5; ages 5-under, Free (save by purchasing in advance)

INFO:

Phone: 919-821-7400 Website: ncstatefair.org

Fair Manager:

G. Kent Yelverton