50 days away

The 2012 N.C. State Fair starts in 50 days. Are you excited yet?

In case you’ve been competing in the Olympics, cheating on your co-star or watching continuous coverage of sharks, and haven’t heard we’re just 50 days away from the 2012 N.C. State Fair. We’re so close you can almost smell the cotton candy and turkey legs.

A few years back, we compiled a list of the top 100 experiences at the N.C. State Fair. The list included all our favorites and not-to-be-missed attractions. This year, we turned to our awesome fans on Facebook to see what they love about the fair. Here’s what they came up with. Do you see your favorite part of the fair?

50 Reasons Why the N.C. State Fair is a Bumper Crop of Fun (in no particular order)

1. Roasted Corn – Tina Bennett
2. Honey Sticks – Kelly Allen Young
3. Dancing – Kennedy Olivia Fowle
4. Wisconsin Cheese – Patti Herold Mitchell
5. “Walking around in the fresh air eating chocolate covered marshmallows.” – Joy A. Goode
6. Tractor Pull – Stephanie Kenner Hairr
7. Horse Show – JayKim Foushee
8. People Watching – Yvette Deanne
9. Maple Cotton Candy – Whitney Corn
10. “All the free stuff you receive from all the booths” – Kayla Snell
11. Pig Races – Lynne Poindexter
12. Fireworks – Mary Jane Wiethe
13. Chocolate Covered Peanuts – Lori Crabtree
14. N.C. Honey – Mary Krabacher
15. “The food. The noise. The smells. The animals. What’s not to like?” – Pamela King Waggoner
16. Fudge – Buddy Warden
17. Carnival Games – Malcolm McGregor
18. Frozen Cheesecake on a Stick – Jimmy Dean
19. Tobacco Tying Contest – Amy Hinson
20. “Definitely eating food by the firepit while listening to bluegrass music” – Chase Parrish
21. The Smell -Rachel French
22. The Last Day – James Maguire
23. The Atmosphere – Rod Jones
24. Cake Competition – Jen Frazier
25. “I would say the rides, the water gun games and the time I get to spend with Clive A Bernard!!!” – Abby L Jensen
26. Livestock Shows – Donna Rose Lamm
27. Baby Chicks – Rebecca DiSandro
28. Apple Cider – Jen Frazier
29. Village of Yesteryear – Nancy Armisto
30. Cows – Robert Ligon
31. Flower and Garden Show – Amber Smith Wallace
32. Rajun Cajun Food – Chris Wrenn
33. Mini donuts – Amy Reynolds
34. Barefoot Footlong Hot Dog – Ellen Hale Pace
35. “The food. The animals. I just love the fair!” – Chris Hester
36. Al’s Fries – Daniel Clowers
37. N.C. State Ice Cream Booth – Cindy Block
38. Riding the Tram – Terri Carroll
39. Landscape Competition – Kermit Hines
40. Maple Cotton Candy – Amy Chapin
41. “Fireworks, decorated cakes, honey cotton candy and being with my boyfriend enjoying our oh so southern roots together!” – Marcia Sawyer Danchise
42. Ham Biscuits at the Cary Methodist Booth – Vicki Joyner Thompson
43. Corn on the Cob – Debbie Webb
44. Going with my kids – Mary Frazier
45. Free Hushpuppies – Alyson Scoltock
46. Chicken tent – David Bissette
47. Everything – Mudhafar Alfatlawi
48. Scotty McCreery Concert – Rebecca DiSandro
49. Lights at Night – Jen Frazier
50. Elephant Ears – Yvette Deanne

What’s missing? Leave a comment below and let us know.

Start planning your trip to the 2012 N.C. State Fair. Advance tickets are on sale now at www.ncstatefair.org. Take advantage of the Early Bird Special and earn up to three free gate admission tickets. And, don’t forget to stay connected with the fair on Facebook and Twitter.