It’s Sunday and the last night of the Fair. While I’m a bit tired and looking forward to a day off, I’m also sad to see the end of another Fair. The last weekend is the most fun for us because most of our events are over and we can spend more time taking pictures and getting around to experience the Fair. So Sunday night is always a little bittersweet and I stay on the grounds as long as I can to make the fun last.
This year it’s more bittersweet than usual because it’s the last one for my good friend and mentor, Mike Pleasant. Mike is the assistant fair manager and is responsible for so many aspects of the Fair, including booking all the entertainment. I’m not really sure who’s going to fill his role next year. He has more than 30 years of State Fair knowledge in his head and it’s going to be hard to delegate those roles to someone else. I’m not looking forward to next year without him!
At the same time, Mike deserves retirement to spend with his lovely wife, Sylvia, his son and daughter-in-law, and three grandkids. I know Mike is going to be happy playing golf, networking and hanging at the beach. I’m very, very happy for him.
Mike with Commissioner Troxler and some of the State Fair staff.
This evening, Commissioner Troxler presented Mike with a “Golden Mike” award for his work at the N.C. State Fair.
Mike, congrats! Glad we have you around for a few more weeks before you actually retire. And way to go … more than a million fairgoers during your last Fair! It’s definitely one to remember!
I’ll miss you!
