Author: 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!

S&L Riverside Dairy – The Lail family impacts their community through agriculture

The Farm Family of the Day is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and seeks to recognize and celebrate the state’s rich agricultural heritage and many farm families that are behind the state’s agriculture and agribusiness industry. One family is recognized each day of the Fair, either nominated themselves or by members of their community. Congratulations to the 2023 Farm Families! Meet our Farm Family of the Day for Saturday, Oct. 14, S&L Riverside Dairy. Based in Vale, this farm is home to over 200 Holstein that are milked daily by this family. Corn, small grain silage and hay are also grown on…

Continue Reading

Rudd Family Farm is honored to have a role in feeding members of their community

The Farm Family of the Day is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and seeks to recognize and celebrate the state’s rich agricultural heritage and the many farm families that are behind the state’s agriculture and agribusiness industry. One family is recognized each day of the Fair, either nominated themselves or by members of their community. Congratulations to the 2023 Farm Families! Say hello to our Farm Family of the Day for Friday, Oct. 13, Rudd Family Farm! Rudd Family Farm is a fourth-generation farm from Greensboro. In the 1900s, the family grew tobacco and wheat but in 2000, they planted their first…

Continue Reading

Willow Oaks Farm shares their love for agriculture with others

The Farm Family of the Day is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and seeks to recognize and celebrate the state’s rich agricultural heritage and the many farm families that are behind the state’s agriculture and agribusiness industry. One family is recognized each day of the Fair, either nominated themselves or by members of their community. Congratulations to the 2023 Farm Families! Say hello to the first Farm Family of the Day of 2023, Willow Oaks Farm! Located in Fuquay-Varina, the family is a third-generation farm on both sides. Jeff Johnson bought the farm they are currently located at in the 1970s and…

Continue Reading

10 Tips for First Time Fairgoers

Many of us know all about the N.C. State Fair. It is North Carolina’s oldest tradition and is loved by families and friends around our state. However, we have many new people come to our state every year who might not know as much as yearly fairgoers do. To ensure that first time fairgoers have the Best Day Ever, here are 10 tips for your first trip to the North Carolina State Fair. The Fair has so many options, and for some it can be overwhelming. Luckily, there are some State Fair go-to’s that are a good way to grasp…

Continue Reading

The Tobacco Barn at the N.C. State Fair educates visitors on the history and heritage of a crop that built North Carolina

North Carolina’s agricultural history is rich. With new farming technology, and many new people in the state from other areas, there are opportunities to share that history. The tobacco barn at the North Carolina State Fair aims to educate people on the history of the tobacco, through examples tobacco stringing and the curing process. “We use the same recipe that all farmers used 150 years ago, so we start out slow at the same temperature as it is outside and ease up about 5 degrees every day and we don’t go over 100 until we get all the green out,”…

Continue Reading

New Craftsmen, Carlee Hawkins, enters the Village of Yesteryear with pen and ink drawings.

The Village of Yesteryear is one of the North Carolina State Fairs most popular and anticipated attractions which includes over 75 artists and crafters creating, displaying and selling time-honored handmade crafts. Each year, new craftsmen are added to expand the village and broaden the type of art that visitors can explore. This year, Gray Works joins the Village of Yesteryear with pen and ink line drawings. Artist, Carlee Hawkins, has been involved in art for just under three years and built her company after graduating from North Carolina State University in December of 2021. As a nutrition major, Hawkin’s passion…

Continue Reading

A college student’s guide to the North Carolina State Fair

The fall is one of the best times of the year on a college campus. A highlight for many students is going to the North Carolina State Fair. With so many college students making their way to the fairgrounds to have their own fair experience, we thought we would share some tips for those looking forward to this year’s event. What is the best day to go to the fair? Luckily enough for N.C. State University students, there is a special discount if you attend the State Fair with Primetime with the Pack. With this program, you can get $5…

Continue Reading

Performances to look forward to at the 2023 Homegrown Music Fest

The North Carolina State Fair has many free entertainment options that are perfect for anyone, no matter the musical preference. The Homegrown Music Fest at the North Carolina State Fair is a free event that showcases the best of North Carolina music. It features over 100 acts on two stages over the length of the Fair. Artists are from a wide range of genres, including rock, country, bluegrass, blues, jazz, and hip hop. The Homegrown Music Fest is a great way to discover new music and support local artists. It is also a fun family-friendly event, with something for everyone…

Continue Reading

The Children’s Barnyard works with Wake County schools to provide agricultural experience

The roots of the North Carolina State Fair are in agriculture. Of course, good eats, thrilling rides and games grab a lot of attention, but our state would not be the great place it is without our farmers! Daniel Beasley, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Rolesville High School, sees the importance of agriculture every day and aims to teach his students about the importance of the industry. “Being involved in agriculture shows kids the compassion that it takes to care for an animal that needs them and how to do it properly. More than anything it is knowing that…

Continue Reading

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

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…

Continue Reading