Jeremy Camp Performs To A Sold Out Crowd
Contemporary Christian music star Jeremy Camp took to the stage at Dorton Arena Friday night in front of a sold out crowd.
Warming up the audience was fellow Christian rock outfit Tenth Avenue North.
Jeremy Camp’s performance was one out of three shows that sold out at Dorton Arena during this year’s State Fair.
This year’s schedule featured a lineup with a heavy emphasis on country and Christian artists. However Fair organizers also gave a well-deserved nod to North Carolina’s expansive repertoire of musicians with Albemarle’s Kellie Pickler, Chapel Hill’s Anoop Desai, Youngsville’s Jason Michael Carroll and Granite Falls-native Eric Church.
Anoop Takes The Stage At Dorton Arena
A familiar face to “American Idol” fans belted tunes Thursday night at the State Fair.
Chapel Hill native Anoop Desai took the stage at Dorton Area to perform some of his more familiar hits.
Engine-Churned Ice Cream
Courtesy: MMI Public Relations
Among all the fried food at the State Fair, you can find a few stands that offer ice cream. But R&R’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream makes their frozen dessert in a unique way.
Good Fair Turnout Despite Economy
By Jaclyn Asztalos, NBC17
Despite the bad economy and cool temperatures, the North Carolina State Fair saw 37,000 people on its opening day.
Despite the poor economy, organizers hope to see even more as the second day of the Fair winds down.
“We’re all making adjustment, but the value of the State Fair is worth what they charge,” fairgoer Dan Davis explained.
However some vendors said they noticed people are being careful how they spend their money.
Fair Manager Wesley Wyatt says the weather is more a factor in people showing up to the fair than the economy.
“Much of what we have at the Fair is free or very inexpensive,” Wyatt said.
On the flip side, Wyatt says it brings people to the area and helps the local economy.
Through good times and bad, there is one thing that many people say is worth every penny — the delicious Fair food.This year, organizers are predicting they will see more than 800,000 people walk through the gates.
Jason Michael Carroll Helps Kickoff The Fair
As the State Fair readies to open its gates at 3 p.m. this afternoon, eager patrons are tantalized by the sweet smells of deep fried candy bars and butter-drenched corn. But with the weather looking dreary, the idea of outdoor activities isn’t too appealing.
Organizers, however, offer a handful of fun indoor activities for those eager fairgoers who want to get out of the rain.
In addition to crafts, giant produce, animals and artwork, The Dazzling Mills Family will perform in the Expo Center at 3:30 and 5 p.m. And the highlight of opening day: a performance from the Triangle’s own country music star, Jason Michael Carroll.
Coming off the release of his highly anticipated sophomore album Growing Up Is Getting Old, the Franklin County native performs in Dorton Arena at 7:30. Tickets to the show are $5.
Sessions At Studio B With Jason Michael Carroll
For a complete schedule of Fair activities, head to the State Fair Web page.
Organizers Say Rain Won’t Damper The Fair
By Laura Barron, NBC17
If you’re on the fence about heading to opening night of the State Fair, organizers insist there’s plenty you can do indoors.
Brian Long, who works for the Department of Agriculture and State Fair, admits the weather forecast isn’t ideal.
“I’m thinking we should have given Mother Nature some free tickets,” Long joked.
Don’t Get Lost At The State Fair This Year!
Click here to view a large PDF map of the State Fair
CAT Offers Three Shuttles To Fairgrounds
To help visitors avoid traffic congestion and parking hassles, Capital Area Transit will offer a daily shuttle to the North Carolina State Fair along three designated routes.
The shuttles will operate every 20 to 30 minutes from North Raleigh, the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary and along a Hillsborough Street.
Passengers can expect to can expect to pay $4 for round-trip service and will be dropped off at Gate No. 1 at the Fairgrounds. Children under 40 inches tall can ride free with a paying adult. Discounts will be available for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Exact change is required to ride the shuttle.
Read the rest of this entry »
TTA To Offer Weekend Service From Two Locations
An express bus service will be offered by Triangle Transit from two locations on both Saturdays and Sundays during the Fair.
Passengers can expect to can expect to pay $5 for round-trip service for individuals over the age of 12. Persons with disabilities are expected to pay $2.50 round-trip.
DATA Service Offered Daily From Downtown Durham
Durham residents can catch a shuttle from Downtown Durham to the Fairgrounds daily during the North Carolina State Fair.
The Durham Area Transit Authority will offer shuttles from the downtown Durham Station located at 515 W. Pettigrew Street on the hour from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, except Sundays when service will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The final bus will leave Durham at 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday. Last pick-up from the Fair is 7 p.m. on Sunday and 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Video: The NC State Fair is Getting Ready!!
Countdown To N.C. State Fair Begins
By Marilyn Peguero, NBC17
The North Carolina State Fair opens Thursday afternoon and organizers hope for a record turnout this year, despite the tough economic times.
“Everybody has been in the doldrums. It’s State Fair time. So let’s get ready for happy,” said N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler Monday.
Economy Makes Going For The Blue A Little Tougher
By Justin Moss, NBC17
Paintings, quilts, antique dresses and even Styrofoam cheeseburgers are just some of the items to be judged at this year’s North Carolina State Fair.
Some competitors brought their items to the fairgrounds in Raleigh on Sunday for the judging to be held this week.
State Fair officials said total registrations are up in almost every category this year.
Johnston Co. Man Bakes Award Winning Pound Cake
To say he was shocked would be an understatement, but when Cleveland resident Dan West saw a third place ribbon beside his entry, he couldn’t believe his eyes.
Record Last Day For State Fair Attendance
RALEIGH, N.C. – Record attendance on the final day didn’t prevent the 2008 N.C. State Fair from falling below last year’s overall turnout.
Sunday’s attendance totaled 101,775, breaking the mark of 98,433 on the last day of the 2007 fair. This year’s total attendance of 765,067 was down about 11 percent below last year’s record of 858,611.
N.C. Department of Agriculture spokesman Brian Long said officials took note of the fact that advance sales for the fair
were down. Long also said a combination of cool temperatures, a threat of rain and a struggling economy combined to keep attendance down.
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