Weekend Update: Aug. 9-10

Brides-to-be will find the fairgrounds the place to be on Saturday and Sunday as the Southern Bridal Show and Expo sets up in the Graham Building. Meet more than 150 Triangle-area wedding experts. Also enjoy wedding fashion previews featuring the latest trends in bridal wear. Event hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 per person. Children age 12 and under are admitted free. Pre-register and purchase tickets online to receive a $2 discount. Other events this weekend: The Raleigh Flea Market is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Each weekend, the Commercial and…

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Top five blog posts of 2010

Food, rides and concerts. Those are top reasons people come to the N.C. State Fair, so it’s no surprise that those were our top blog posts. One post in particular caught the attention of a lot of people. On Twitter, Facebook and through Google searches, it was this year’s food sensation that got the most views. Without further ado, here are the top five posts: 5. Artist Spotlight: Chris Tomlin Chances are, if you’ve been to a church recently that has a contemporary worship service, you’re probably familiar with at least one song written by Chris Tomlin. He’s one of…

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Recognition at the international convention

A handful of State Fair employees spent this past week in Las Vegas at the annual convention of the International Association of Fairs and Expos to learn more about organizing and operating our annual event.  It’s always a good chance for them to meet other fair organizers and share experiences and learn about new ways of doing things. In addition to several days of seminars and workshops, there’s also a trade show that features companies that offer the necessities of running a fair or festival, such as port-a-johns, livestock equipment and barriers, display cases, etc. This trade show also features…

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Sweet Corn says fair-well

It was about this time last year when I started looking for a 2010 summer internship. At the time I was studying abroad in London and had been 4,000 miles away from North Carolina for about four months. I had mastered the London Underground, had eaten plates piled high with beans and toast and drunk kettles (literally) of hot tea and milk. Although it all sounds pretty fabulous now (except for the beans), I was definitely homesick. When I stumbled across the 65 internships offered by the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office through the North Carolina State Government Internship Program,…

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Blog roundup: It’s (almost) all about the food!

It’s been a week since the record-breaking 2010 N.C. State Fair came to a close and I’m already having withdrawals. No longer can I just walk outside and get a deep-fried HoHo or pineapple lemonade. I’m already counting down the days until next year. Thankfully, I can relive the Fair through our Flickr page and YouTube videos. Another way to relive it is through others’ experiences. I spent some time last week reading what others wrote about the State Fair on their blogs. Overall, I think almost everything at the Fair was covered, although most people wrote about their food…

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Thank you for helping us Celebrate What’s Great!

The final fireworks have exploded and the gates have closed on the 2010 N.C. State Fair. This year was one for the record books. Over our 11-day run, 1,091,887 people visited the Fair to enjoy the rides, food and exhibits that have become family traditions. On behalf of the entertainers, vendors and employees of the Fair, we want to say thank you for coming to the 2010 N.C. State Fair. Note: If video doesn’t appear, try refreshing browser.

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Bittersweet ending to the Fair

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…

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Deep Fried Challenge: A day as a blacksmith’s apprentice

While interning in the press office at the N.C. State Fair, I’ve had the opportunity to write press releases, post on the Deep Fried blog and interview blue-ribbon recipients—you know, press office stuff. However, today I was challenged to apprentice under a blacksmith in Heritage Circle. Believe it or not, I’ve never cranked a forge or hit black metal. Until now… As you can see, the blacksmiths at Heritage Forge have years and years of experience. As for me, I’m just a beginner. With some help from Don Dillon, a blacksmith who has been practicing the trade for more than…

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