General

“Smithfield the Painting Pig-casso”

I have now officially seen it all.  And if you caught our live stream today of “Smithfield the Painting Pig-casso,” now you have too.  If you missed this pig-tastic show, however, don’t worry.  Smithfield performs (ahem… allows the world to witness his art in progress) daily at 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm.  You can find him right next [...]


Looking For Some Bling? Outfitted At The Fair

Wondering where you can buy some of those neon, plastic sunglasses from the 1980s?
Look no more. The fair has you covered.
Perched every few meters you can find a stand hawking everything from Elvis on velvet paintings to faux jewelry and feather hair accessories.
Shop On!


Scenes From The State Fair

 
On a crisp fall morning, I had the chance to visit the N.C. State Fair for the first time this year. Despite the economic crunch that we are all experiencing, the fairgrounds seemed to be buzzing with excitement.
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Local Artists Showcase Their Work

The Kerr Scott Building at this year’s fair is home to several displays, showcasing the work of local artists.
Art buffs can check out aisles of paintings any time, and get this, it’s free.
Fun and cheap, we love it!


Robots, Washboard Willie Entertain The Masses

As you stroll the makeshift streets at this year’s fair, you never know who or what you might see.
For starters, Page Crawford and I stumbled across an interesting gentleman. Washboard Willie was his name and music was his game.

Mr. Willie walks the fairgrounds from the time gates open at 8 a.m., talking to fairgoers, singing [...]


Have You Ever Seen A Pig Race?

If not, you’re missing out.
Each day at the N.C. State Fair, the Circle C Racing Pigs put on quite a show near Gate Nine. And, it’s a blast.
It’s not just pigs either, but ducks and goats chase after a beloved prize-Cheese Doodles.
The emcee is lively, often picking people from the crowds to cheer on the [...]


Today’s “Tips” From The N.C. State Fair

The Flower and Garden competition handed out its highest honors yesterday. The Arthur K. Pitzer Award, awarded to the best blue ribbon winner in the garden division, was given to the Wakefield High School horticulture program for its Patchwork Quilt Garden.
The Commissioner of Agriculture Award, given to the best exhibit in the Flower and Garden [...]


N.C. Highway Patrol Goes Old School

If you get a chance to come out to the N.C. State Fair, you’ve got to check out the North Carolina Highway Patrol’s exhibit.
First, they’ve got a helicopter, and if you’re nice, they will let you touch it. Second, if you’re nice, you can ask them questions about traffic stops like …
“If I see you [...]


‘Tiny Tina’ Is She The World’s Smallest Lady?

I think not. But, we wanted to check it out for ourselves.
Page Crawford and I couldn’t resist. The announcer said Tiny Tina was so small, you could cradle her in your arms like a baby. The sign, inviting us inside said the exhibit was “educational.”

So we paid our buck and stepped inside the low, stuffy, [...]


Keeping Clean At The Fair

With the rides, the sticky food and the barnyard animals, there are times when fairgoers seem a bit untidy.
But, thanks to those smart-thinking folks at this year’s North Carolina State Fair, they have carefully placed instant hand-sanitizer machines throughout the fairgrounds.
This came in handy today as Page Crawford and I wolfed down a couple of [...]


‘Farm Frenzy Winners,’ Don’t Let The Hose Near Your Fingers

So I stumbled across a pretty funny sign … “Don’t feed your fingers to the horses.”
And that reminded me to tell you guys who the winners were for the 2008 N.C. State Fair Farm Animal Frenzy. Ok, wait for it. Wait for it.
They were Murial, the Dairy Queen, Javier at the Fair and Ms. Moo.
Murial [...]


Despite Economic Slump, Fair-Goers Still Having A Good Time

Tens of thousands of visitors turned out for the first weekend of the North Carolina State Fair.
But according to numbers released by fair officials, there was a drop off compared to last year.


Man Wins Prize At State Fair For Coffin

Grady Hunter will take his prize-winning entry in the N.C. State Fair to the grave.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that Hunter won a blue ribbon in this year’s crafts and hobbies competition by making his own coffin.
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Fair Goes On Despite Economic Downturn

 In 2007, the North Carolina State Fair saw a record attendance, so fair officials added another day this year in hopes of not only beating that record, but also in hopes of cashing in.
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The Fair Focuses On Agriculture

By Kerry Hall, NBC17 Reporter
On a gloomy opening day of the 2008 North Carolina State Fair, Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler reminded a crowd at the opening ceremonies that the fair is about more than the rides and games on the midway.
“Agriculture and agri-business are this state’s number one industry, $70 billion a year,” Troxler [...]