Paul Jones blogged for the 2009-2012 N.C. State Fairs. Here's his bio from 2009: Paul Jones, here (a.k.a. Bearded Lady). I love the N.C. State Fair. I love the rides, I love the food, but my favorite part of the Fair is the displays of the unusual. The two-headed snake, the world’s smallest woman, the world’s tallest horse and the list goes on. Originally from South Carolina, I hope that I can bring a different perspective to this blog as I shed light on some of the ordinary, yet extraordinary, aspects of this year’s Fair.

Sample and purchase N.C. wines at the fair

For years, the N.C. State Fair has showcased the best of commercial and amateur wineries through the N.C. State Fair Wine Competition. But this is the first year you can sample and purchase several of those award-winning wines and others from across North Carolina. The new Got to Be NC Wine exhibit opened up Thursday in the Hunt Horse Arena. During the fair, seven wineries from across the state will be pouring free samples of their products daily. Wineries will rotate throughout the fair to add variety. Over the weekend, visitors sampled products from Chatham Hill Winery, Country Squire Winery,…

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Ring-a-ding-ding there’s a new blogger!

  [youtube GTxViQnuMQg CowBelle] Hi there, my name is Rossie and I have taken on a new role this year as CowBelle on the Deep Fried Blog for the North Carolina State Fair! CowBelle has special meaning to me because I have shown livestock at the fair for the past eighteen years, and this will be the 22nd year I have attended the fair.  My first memory of the fair was walking my lamb Buster into the barn on his brand new, bright red halter. That bright red halter perfectly matched my cowgirl boots! Since that first year exhibiting Buster…

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Day 15: Decorated Cakes

Over the past four years, we’ve had the chance to sample some of the latest, greatest and strangest fair food to come to the N.C. State Fair. In the spirit of year-end lists, we thought we would look back at 15 of our favorite food-related posts from the past four years. Each day between now and Christmas, we’ll post a different food review from our archives. 15. State Fair Street Team: Calling all bakers, cake decorators, and pastry chefs–come see the 2012 NC State Fair Cake Decorating entries! (2012)  This is a guest blog post from our State Fair Street…

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Day 14: Deep Fried Kool-Aid and Deep Fried Bubble Gum

Over the past four years, we’ve had the chance to sample some of the latest, greatest and strangest fair food to come to the N.C. State Fair. In the spirit of year-end lists, we thought we would look back at 15 of our favorite food-related posts from the past four years. Each day between now and Christmas, we’ll post a different food review from our archives. 14. Deep Fried Ambassador: Kool-Aid & bubble gum preview (2011) This is a guest blogger post by our Official Deep Fried Ambassador, Amy. We’ll be reposting her State Fair adventures from The Practical Cook…

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Day 13: Fried Food

Over the past four years, we’ve had the chance to sample some of the latest, greatest and strangest fair food to come to the N.C. State Fair. In the spirit of year-end lists, we thought we would look back at 15 of our favorite food-related posts from the past four years. Each day between now and Christmas, we’ll post a different food review from our archives. 13. Deep Fried Ambassador: Fried Food Edition (2010) This is a guest blogger post by our Official Deep Fried Ambassador, Ashlee. We’ll be reposting her State Fair adventures from her Miss Ashlee blog throughout…

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Day 12: Reptile on a Stick

Over the past four years, we’ve had the chance to sample some of the latest, greatest and strangest fair food to come to the N.C. State Fair. In the spirit of year-end lists, we thought we would look back at 15 of our favorite food-related posts from the past four years. Each day between now and Christmas, we’ll post a different food review from our archives. 12. Deep Fried Ambassador update: Reptile on a stick (2009) (This is part 4 of the “Whole Lotta Loony” series chronicling the adventures of your Deep-Fried Ambassador and Deputy Deep-Fried at the North Carolina…

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Day 11: Joe’s Big Dogs

Over the past four years, we’ve had the chance to sample some of the latest, greatest and strangest fair food to come to the N.C. State Fair. In the spirit of year-end lists, we thought we would look back at 15 of our favorite food-related posts from the past four years. Each day between now and Christmas, we’ll post a different food review from our archives. 11. New food: Joe’s Big Dogs (2010) There are hot dogs, and then there’s Joe’s Big Dogs. The silver diner car located between the Jim Graham Building and Dorton Arena has been a surprising…

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Day 10: Kimmy’s Cupcakes

Over the past four years, we’ve had the chance to sample some of the latest, greatest and strangest fair food to come to the N.C. State Fair. In the spirit of year-end lists, we thought we would look back at 15 of our favorite food-related posts from the past four years. Each day between now and Christmas, we’ll post a different food review from our archives. 10: Food review: Kimmy’s Cupcakes (2011) While the fair may be famous for its deep-fried creations, the baked treats at Kimmy’s Cupcakes in Kiddieland are a must-have for any fairgoer with even the smallest…

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Day 9: French Fry’s Food Finds

Over the past four years, we’ve had the chance to sample some of the latest, greatest and strangest fair food to come to the N.C. State Fair. In the spirit of year-end lists, we thought we would look back at 15 of our favorite food-related posts from the past four years. Each day between now and Christmas, we’ll post a different food review from our archives. 9: French Fry’s Food Finds (2011) Each year, French Fry creates a list of foods to eat during the fair. We’ll check with her every few days and give you an update on the…

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