Karsyn Westerbeek

Hi everybody! I am Karsyn Westerbeek, but you can call me Wolf Tracks. I am a rising senior at North Carolina State University where I major in Communication with a minor in Business Administration. I am from Warsaw, North Carolina, and have always been a fan of the Wolfpack. I absolutely love the State Fair and its ability to bring our community together. That being said, I am so excited to be working as a public relations intern for the State Fair this summer!

Laura Jessup shows everything from goats to turkeys. No matter the animal, memories are made at the North Carolina State Fair.

Karsyn Westerbeek September 28 September 28

Finding a passion does not have an age limit. No matter if you’re ten or one hundred, it is always a good time to start doing something you love. Youth livestock shows at the North Carolina State Fair allow students to get passionate about something and learn in the process. A junior at Uwharrie Charter Academy , Laura Jessup became interested in showing at the young age of five and has continued ever since. One great thing about North Carolina is the community that agriculture has formed. “I joined 4-H when I was five,” Laura said. “Some of the other kids…

Nahunta Pork Center partners with the N.C. State Fair to present the “Not Your Mama’s Sausage Balls Challenge.”

Karsyn Westerbeek September 26 September 26

The N.C. State Fair loves a deep-fried treat, but there is something about homemade food that warms the soul. The Home Chef Challenge at the North Carolina State Fair encourages the continued advancement of and love for cooking through daily cooking challenges. Each day of the N.C. State Fair presents a new cooking challenge for our contestants who dream up their own recipes, prepare them at home and bring them to the N.C. State Fair for critique by a panel of judges…but only one can take home the coveted blue ribbon. “Food is a way to bring people together,” said…

Students learn and have fun at the same time with the North Carolina State Fair Adventurer Scavenger Hunt

Karsyn Westerbeek September 12 September 12

The North Carolina State Fair is a full of fun. From games to rides and even competitions, great memories are made with all that the Fair has to offer. But who says that one cannot have fun and learn at the same time? At the 2023 N.C. State Fair, there are educational opportunities for all ages, from elementary school to high school and beyond. One of the many educational offerings at the Fair are the State Fair Adventurer Scavenger Hunts presented by the North Carolina PTA for elementary through high school ages. There are three different scavenger hunts available, all…

Showing livestock goes beyond the individual – The Sharp family raises swine for North Carolina State Fair competitions

Karsyn Westerbeek September 7 September 7

When you grow up doing something, it becomes a part of your character. You learn and grow from the things that you love. The Sharp family has been showing swine for over 30 years. In fact, the families uncle Alan and grandfather, Thad Sharp Jr., were both inducted into the North Carolina Livestock Hall of Fame. Now, the whole family including parents Donna and Thad and children T and McLane, commit a great amount of their time to showing swine at both county and state level livestock shows. Being raised surrounded by agriculture and the showing community has shaped the…

The Vanhoy sisters have dedicated eight years of their lives to showing livestock at the N.C. State Fair

Karsyn Westerbeek August 1 July 31

For some, anticipation for the North Carolina State Fair comes from dreaming about delicious, deep-fried food. For others, it comes from preparing an animal all year long and seeing your hard work pay off. The North Carolina State Fair is a time-honored tradition for many families in the state, and offers many opportunities to showcase the talents and skills of North Carolinians That is just what Hannah and Emma Vanhoy do every year at the beef heifer livestock competitions at the N.C. State Fair. The sisters have been showing beef heifers at the Fair for the past eight years and…

The Lovitt family has a unique hobby – growing giant pumpkins

Karsyn Westerbeek July 17 July 17

Many people have a hobby they really enjoy. For some, hobbies might be things like sewing, reading or playing sports, but for the Lovitt family it is giant pumpkin growing. For the last 12 years, the family has grown giant pumpkins for the North Carolina State Fair competitions. The whole family is involved in the year-round commitment to growing the best pumpkin possible and getting it to weigh-offs in October. Brother and sister, TJ and Marina, enter pumpkins every year. While the growing is now a whole-family activity, the idea originated from dad Gary. After seeing a giant pumpkin seed…

Competitions at the North Carolina State Fair allow entrants to showcase and explore their talents

Karsyn Westerbeek July 10 July 7

When looking at all the blue-ribbon winners at the North Carolina State Fair, the story of how the food, art, or livestock got there isn’t always at the forefront of the mind. From baking and gardening to art and livestock, competitions at the State Fair offer a chance for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to showcase their talents and passions. With 394 divisions and 4,027 classes of competitions to enter, there is something for everyone to take an interest in. Whether you’re a seasoned professional in your choice of competition or someone just getting started, there is something at…

Gretel Kloempken continues her work with the Hunt Horse Complex as assistant fair manager

Karsyn Westerbeek June 7 June 7

Gretel Kloempken was recently named Assistant Fair Manager at the James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex. A woman of multiple careers, Gretel has experience in the hotel industry, owned several businesses and has even been involved on the operations team at the North Carolina State Fair. Gretel has been with the Hunt Horse Complex for around five years, serving first as the administrative lead and then acting as manager, gaining experience that showed her firsthand what it took to help the complex be successful. Because of this, applying for assistant fair manager was a given. “I took a big personal…

Say Hello to Wolf Tracks

Karsyn Westerbeek May 30 May 30

Hi Everybody! I am Karsyn Westerbeek, but you can call me Wolf Tracks. I was born and raised in Warsaw, North Carolina but came to Raleigh for college. I attend N.C. State University where I am a rising senior. I am majoring in Communication with a minor in Business Administration, and I absolutely love it so far. In my spare time I play on my school’s club soccer team, hang out with friends, read and crochet. Fall is my favorite time of the year because not only is it football season (go Pack) but it’s also the time I get…

Author: Karsyn Westerbeek