Nuns at the Fair
This pictures by Stephen VanNortwick of Raleigh won “Best N.C. State Fair Scene” in this year’s photography competition, and I think it could not be any better. I only wish I would have spotted the four nuns on the Midway.
Category: 2008 N.C. State Fair
Making lists and checking them twice
We dedicated State Fair Press Office types consider it our duty to sample a variety of foods during the fair. After all, if we are to be credible sources of information about State Fair cuisine, we must do extensive research. A couple of us take this work so seriously that we write up a “wish list” so we can keep track of our consumption (see above). As you’ll notice by the scratch marks and checks, we made a lot of progress this year — and consumed a lot of calories. All in the name of public service.
Clog Heaven
In an unassuming white tent behind the Kerr Scott Building, you’ll find one of the most rocking events at the Fair. The Folk Festival has been entertaining visitors and preserving traditional N.C. music and dance for 60 years, getting many a hand clapping and many a toe tapping. The video is introduced by Annette Pulley, a Folk Festival veteran who is the superintendent over all the two-steppers and tunesmiths. It was first established in 1948 to promote and preserve traditional music and dance of our state and the talented people who perform. Twice a day, amateur hopefuls perform for judges…
New photo galleries
We’ve added a great new feature to our State Fair Web site in the form of daily photo galleries. In addition to bloggers, we’ve got some budding photographers in our office who have documented this year’s 11 day run on camera. Firecracker has been busy populating these albums with pictures from the Keith King BMX show, Farm Animal Frenzy animals, Village of Yesteryear, Folk Festival, Tobacco Auction, Century Farm Family reunion, Sales of Champions, Days one and two and Opening Ceremonies. Similar to the photos tagged of us on Facebook, you can scroll through the albums by clicking on the…
Something for the Kiddies, part II
Child admission…$2A ride on the kiddie swings…$3A funnel cake for lunch…$5A boy who crashes his bumper boat trying to cheese for the camera…Priceless.
Krispy Kreme cake
While Krispy Kreme donuts usually come in a cardboard box, one entry in the decorated cakes competition delivered donuts inside of a cake. Robin Bilodeau of Chapel Hill, a pastry chef at the Carolina Inn, designed the unusual cake after winning a ribbon last year for a dragon-shaped cake. She said she was struck with inspiration while at work, when a coworker brought in a dozen of the tasty treats. The cake uses a Styrofoam base with a clear, plastic top to showcase actual donuts inside, and took about two days to complete. Speaking of Krispy Kreme donuts, they’re selling…
That’s hardcore
Just two days after breaking a leg, and about 36 hours after having surgery to repair it, Craig Roberts was at the King Action Sports Stunt Show cheering his fellow riders on. He says he’s doing just fine. His fellow FMX rider, Travis Willis, told me this isn’t Robert’s first broken bone — he has broken his back a couple of times, so a broken leg is pretty non-exciting. (Of course, this is coming from a guy who injured his arm and didn’t even realize it for a couple of hours a few years back. His first reaction was “take…
WRAL Snackdown
Image from WRAL.com WRAL’s NCAA Tournament-like Snackdown competition is coming to a close on its Web site, so be sure to vote today to determine the #1 Fair food. The contest went through three rounds before today’s Finals, seeding the foods and pitting them against each other. We’ll see if the one I voted for wins…
Patchwork Quilt Garden
The Flower and Garden section of the Fair is such a quiet, relaxing part of the fairgrounds that it’s easy to forget how much work goes into creating the garden entries. Wakefield High School horticulture students were honored with the Arthur K. Pitzer Award, awarded to the best blue ribbon winner in the garden division. They entered a garden in the Patchwork Quilt competition, which is described in the Premium Book as “a bright, sunny garden centered around the design of a creative patchwork quilt of beaming annuals, perennials and special embellishments representing a theme inspired by the gardeners.” They…
Overheard at the Fair: Making a Point
While walking back from the N.C. State Dairy Bar, I overheard a 20-something fairgoer say: “It’s the State Fair. Why wouldn’t you drive here?” The fella has a point. It’s the last weekend. The rain is gone. Come on out. (But feel free to use the park-and-ride options.)
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Making lists and checking them twice
We dedicated State Fair Press Office types consider it our duty to sample a variety of foods during the fair. After all, if we are to be credible sources of information about State Fair cuisine, we must do extensive research. A couple of us take this work so seriously that we write up a “wish list” so we can keep track of our consumption (see above). As you’ll notice by the scratch marks and checks, we made a lot of progress this year — and consumed a lot of calories. All in the name of public service.
Clog Heaven
In an unassuming white tent behind the Kerr Scott Building, you’ll find one of the most rocking events at the Fair. The Folk Festival has been entertaining visitors and preserving traditional N.C. music and dance for 60 years, getting many a hand clapping and many a toe tapping. The video is introduced by Annette Pulley, a Folk Festival veteran who is the superintendent over all the two-steppers and tunesmiths. It was first established in 1948 to promote and preserve traditional music and dance of our state and the talented people who perform. Twice a day, amateur hopefuls perform for judges…
New photo galleries
We’ve added a great new feature to our State Fair Web site in the form of daily photo galleries. In addition to bloggers, we’ve got some budding photographers in our office who have documented this year’s 11 day run on camera. Firecracker has been busy populating these albums with pictures from the Keith King BMX show, Farm Animal Frenzy animals, Village of Yesteryear, Folk Festival, Tobacco Auction, Century Farm Family reunion, Sales of Champions, Days one and two and Opening Ceremonies. Similar to the photos tagged of us on Facebook, you can scroll through the albums by clicking on the…
Something for the Kiddies, part II
Child admission…$2A ride on the kiddie swings…$3A funnel cake for lunch…$5A boy who crashes his bumper boat trying to cheese for the camera…Priceless.
Krispy Kreme cake
While Krispy Kreme donuts usually come in a cardboard box, one entry in the decorated cakes competition delivered donuts inside of a cake. Robin Bilodeau of Chapel Hill, a pastry chef at the Carolina Inn, designed the unusual cake after winning a ribbon last year for a dragon-shaped cake. She said she was struck with inspiration while at work, when a coworker brought in a dozen of the tasty treats. The cake uses a Styrofoam base with a clear, plastic top to showcase actual donuts inside, and took about two days to complete. Speaking of Krispy Kreme donuts, they’re selling…
That’s hardcore
Just two days after breaking a leg, and about 36 hours after having surgery to repair it, Craig Roberts was at the King Action Sports Stunt Show cheering his fellow riders on. He says he’s doing just fine. His fellow FMX rider, Travis Willis, told me this isn’t Robert’s first broken bone — he has broken his back a couple of times, so a broken leg is pretty non-exciting. (Of course, this is coming from a guy who injured his arm and didn’t even realize it for a couple of hours a few years back. His first reaction was “take…
WRAL Snackdown
Image from WRAL.com WRAL’s NCAA Tournament-like Snackdown competition is coming to a close on its Web site, so be sure to vote today to determine the #1 Fair food. The contest went through three rounds before today’s Finals, seeding the foods and pitting them against each other. We’ll see if the one I voted for wins…
Patchwork Quilt Garden
The Flower and Garden section of the Fair is such a quiet, relaxing part of the fairgrounds that it’s easy to forget how much work goes into creating the garden entries. Wakefield High School horticulture students were honored with the Arthur K. Pitzer Award, awarded to the best blue ribbon winner in the garden division. They entered a garden in the Patchwork Quilt competition, which is described in the Premium Book as “a bright, sunny garden centered around the design of a creative patchwork quilt of beaming annuals, perennials and special embellishments representing a theme inspired by the gardeners.” They…
Overheard at the Fair: Making a Point
While walking back from the N.C. State Dairy Bar, I overheard a 20-something fairgoer say: “It’s the State Fair. Why wouldn’t you drive here?” The fella has a point. It’s the last weekend. The rain is gone. Come on out. (But feel free to use the park-and-ride options.)