2011 N.C. State Fair

Weekend Roundup: Aug. 14-17

Funhouse August 14 August 14

Back to school for traditional calendar students is just around the corner. This weekend the fairgrounds can help you get some deals on back to school clothes shopping at the Children’s Clothing and Baby Equipment sale and the Adidas Clearance Sale. Other events at the fairgrounds include the Double L Bar Cowboy Mounted Shooters event and the Carolina Fall Boat Show. Information on events is listed below: The Children’s Clothing and Baby Equipment Sale will be Saturday in the Scott Building. Gently used and affordable infant, children’s and maternity clothing, toys, books, games, videos, bikes, bedding, shoes, strollers, swings, cribs,…

Happy Holidays!

Firecracker December 23 December 9

Thank you for making 2011 one of the best we’ve ever had. We look forward to more great times in 2012. On behalf of all the staff at the N.C. State Fair, we’d like to wish you Happy Holidays! (left to right, top to bottom: Merrie Go Round, Flying Bob, Tilt-A-Whirl, Bearded Lady, French Fry, Baby Goat, Blue Ribbon and Firecracker)

State Fair receives awards during annual convention

Blue Ribbon December 22 December 20

A few weeks ago, several N.C. State Fair staffers attended the International Association of Fairs & Expos Annual Convention in Las Vegas. The convention was an educational networking event where we met with our counterparts from fairs all over the world to share ideas and resources. There were numerous workshops and roundtable discussions, and we participated in topics on everything from emergency preparedness and guest hospitality to fair-food concessions and unique ideas for agricultural competitions. In the trade show, vendors and entertainers demonstrated their products, and we kept an eye out for some new features to bring to the 2012 State Fair (more on that later). While there, we…

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Bearded Lady October 27 October 27

Thanks again to the 1,009,173 who came out for the 2011 N.C. State Fair. There was a lot to love about this year’s fair, and we had a great time going behind the scenes to bring you updates on the deep-fried food, exhibits, competitions and people that made this fair one to remember. We are slowly recovering from all the excitement, and it won’t be long before we begin plans for the 2012 fair. At some point during the planning of next year’s fair, the details of this year’s fair will get fuzzy. We’ll still remember the sights, sounds and…

Wake Up with the Deep Fried Crew: Monday edition

Bearded Lady October 24 October 23

The 2011 N.C. State Fair may be over, but you still can enjoy this video highlighting this year’s attractions.

Deep Fried Press Office Challenge: Showing a sheep in competition

Merrie Go Round October 23 August 5

So every year, members of the Deep Fried Crew try to do something on the fairgrounds that we have never done before. We take suggestions from our readers, but we also come up with some ideas on our own. Last year, I decided to be a crafter in the Village of Yesteryear. I spent part of the day with Bill Williams and his wife Barbara caning a foot stool. Some of our longtime readers may remember the story. After following a group of 4-H kids this summer as they prepared to show sheep at the State Fair, I was offered…

Deep Fried Ambassador: Top Five

Firecracker October 23 August 5

This is a guest blogger post by our Official Deep Fried Ambassador, Amy. We’ll be reposting her State Fair adventures from The Practical Cook blog throughout the Fair. Highlights from the N.C. State Fair: Top 5 List(s) (with video, of course!) Gentle Readers, what an honor and a privilege it has been serving as your Deep Fried Ambassador at the 2011 N.C. State Fair. It is with a heavy heart, hopefully only metaphorically, that I must relinquish my badge and my parking pass, and return to my kitchen to steam vegetables for the next two weeks. The good news, there are…

Wake Up with the Deep Fried Crew: Sunday, Oct. 23

Bearded Lady October 23 October 22

Each morning, members of our Deep Fried Crew will give you a preview of what you can expect during your visit to the 2011 N.C. State Fair.

The bear went over the mountain…

Bearded Lady October 22 October 21

You don’t have to go over a mountain to see some of the best exhibits at the fair. You just have to go “up the hill.” If you’ve never been up the hill from the lake, then you’ve missed a special portion of the N.C. State Fair. The area located near Heritage Circle is full of exhibits from the N.C. Forest Service and Division of Soil and Water Conservation. The most recognizable display on the hill is a giant, talking Smokey Bear. Children love interacting with Smokey and asking him questions. Other N.C. Forest Service exhibits provide useful information on…

Category: 2011 N.C. State Fair