Giant Watermelon

Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day mixes fun and philanthropy

Giant Watermelon October 17 October 16

If there is anything that nearly two years of COVID-19 has shown, it’s that people do best when we help each other out. Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day on Thursday is the perfect time to help out those less fortunate while also enjoying the North Carolina State Fair. The event allows fairgoers to bring in six cans of food to donate to the Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina in exchange for free admission to the fair. “Each year, over 50,000 fairgoers come through the gates by giving back to those in need. As we head into the…

Hair breed sheep bring a new look to a classic show

Giant Watermelon October 6 October 4

Livestock shows are a classic part of the North Carolina State Fair, so it’s only fitting that the fair’s return in 2021 would bring with it a new show for people to enjoy. The junior market lamb show will add a hair wether breed division this year, bringing in a new and popular breed to the fair for the first time. Bill Sparrow, junior market lamb superintendent, said that haired sheep have grown in popularity recently. “I wouldn’t say they’re new, but in the last 20 to 30 years haired sheep have increased in numbers dramatically and significantly as a…

Public House back and better than ever

Giant Watermelon September 27 September 27

If you’re looking to sample N.C. beer and wine when the N.C. State Fair returns in October, it might just be a bit easier to find. The North Carolina Craft Brewer’s Guild’s Public House, the only purveyors of alcohol on the fairgrounds, has a new home on the south side of Dorton Arena. Previously housed in Heritage Circle, the guild is the industry association for independent craft brewers in the state, and features a variety of products from local breweries. Director Rich Greene said that the move will allow the guild to expand its offerings. “Heritage Circle is a great…

Six inducted into Livestock Hall of Fame

Giant Watermelon October 21 October 24

While many know the North Carolina State Fair is known for its food, rides and music, agriculture has always been the driving force behind all the things that fairgoers enjoy. On Sunday, the fair honored several men who have made substantial contributions to agriculture in North Carolina, as Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler inducted the six newest members of the State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame. Frank Hollowell of Hurdle Mills, Sammy Jenkins of Apex, David Lee of Zebulon, Freddie O’Neal of South Mills, the late Carm Parkhurst of Castalia and Larry Wooten of Raleigh were all inducted in a ceremony…

Branford Marsalis to make State Fair debut Oct. 21

Giant Watermelon October 16 October 18

A Grammy-winning saxophonist and composer will make his long-awaited debut at the North Carolina State Fair this year, as the Branford Marsalis quartet comes to the Homegrown Music Festival at Dorton Arena Oct. 21. Marsalis, who lives in Durham, has been a mainstay in the Jazz world for decades. The Branford Marsalis Quartet, formed in 1986, has earned five Grammy nominations over the years, with a win in 2000 for best jazz instrumental album, individual or group. That nearly three-decade span has seen the group release 16 albums of both original music and classic jazz tunes, including a 2004 concert…

Piedmont Laureate David Menconi brings decades of music knowledge to State Fair

Giant Watermelon September 16 September 30

David Menconi, 2019 Piedmont Laureate, knows a little about what makes a good show. As a reporter and music critic with the Raleigh News and Observer for 28 years, Menconi chronicled North Carolina music from the local to the national, highlighting everything from the biggest acts to visit the state to the up-and-coming talent grown at home. This year, guests at the N.C. State Fair will get to share in a bit of Menconi’s love for music, as he and Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green will curate and emcee the Laureate Stage in coordination with Deep South Entertainment. Green is…

Meet the Superintendent: Donna Kiger

Giant Watermelon September 9 September 9

For Donna Kiger, arts and photography superintendent for the 2019 NC State Fair, the show must go on. Of course, in order to go on, the show must start in the first place. As superintendent of the arts and photography competition – one of the fair’s largest – Kiger’s primary job is making sure that happens. This is the first year that Kiger will take over as arts and photography superintendent, but she is not brand new to the competition, having volunteered for several years prior to taking the lead. Becoming superintendent was not necessarily her plan, she said, but…

Author: Giant Watermelon