2011 N.C. State Fair

Tobacco auction celebrates N.C. culture and heritage

Tilt-A-Whirl October 21 October 21

The mock tobacco auction, a relatively recent addition to the fair’s lineup, was held in the Expo Center earlier today. The auction celebrates the importance of tobacco to North Carolina’s economy and the important role the crop continues to play in the Tarheel state’s culture and heritage. Though tobacco is now sold primarily through contracts between farmers and tobacco companies, auctions were the primary method of tobacco trade between 1859 and 2004. Check out the video below to see a part of today’s activities. A fair tradition since 2005, this year’s auction included the participation of a Chinese trade delegation…

Borden’s booth educates and entertains

Bearded Lady October 21 October 21

If you enter the 2011 N.C. State Fair through Gate 8, you’ll notice several of our sponsors set up along the main walkway. One of those sponsors, Borden Cheese, will be set up just inside the entrance with its Friends of Elsie Tour. The booth is a mixture of education and entertainment. This morning, Firecracker and I visited the booth to speak with a real N.C. dairy farmer Eugene Blackwell of Oxford, listen to 14-year-old country sensation Easton Hamlin and play some of the interactive games available. You can even get your photo taken with Elsie the cow, who is…

Food review: Kimmy’s Cupcakes

Tilt-A-Whirl October 21 October 21

While the fair may be famous for its deep-fried creations, the baked treats at Kimmy’s Cupcakes in Kiddieland are a must-have for any fairgoer with even the smallest sweet tooth. Based out of Minnesota, Kimmy’s Cupcakes has been a hit at fairs around the country and is making its debut this year at the N.C. State Fair. To see what all the buzz was about, Baby Goat and I tried a couple of cupcakes and wrote a review. Check out the video below to see what we thought. The best thing about Kimmy’s Cupcakes is how fresh they taste. Each…

French Fry’s Food Finds

Bearded Lady October 21 October 20

Each year, French Fry creates a list of foods to eat during the fair. We’ll check with her every few days and give you an update on the list. Any of these items make it to your favorites list?

Wake Up with the Deep Fried Crew: Friday, Oct. 21

Bearded Lady October 21 October 20

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.

Deep Fried Ambassador: Deep Fried is Fun. Hunger is Not.

Firecracker October 20 October 22

This is a guest blogger post by our Official Deep Fried Ambassador, Amy. We’ll be reposting her State Fair adventures from her Practical Cook blog throughout the Fair. Deep Fried Is Fun, Hunger Is Not: Hunger Relief Day at the N.C. State Fair (with video) Gentle Readers, we’re going to change things up a bit today and address a problem that affects us all, hunger. The Practical Cook was raised in a farming family whose goal was to feed anyone who came through the door, and that still stands true. There’s an easy way to help on Thursday, October 20, 2011:…

Icon retiring from State Fair livestock shows

Flying Bob October 20 October 20

Bruce Shankle, whose career in livestock marketing spans 40 years, is retiring as livestock marketing director with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and as director of the N.C. State Fair livestock shows. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, who refers to Shankle as an icon in North Carolina’s livestock industry, keeps trying to talk him out of retiring, but so far his pleas haven’t worked. Shankle grew up on a livestock farm in Anson County, but didn’t get his first taste of State Fair livestock shows until he was a freshman at N.C. State University. On Oct. 15, he…

Butterfly in the sky…

Bearded Lady October 20 October 19

Butterflies are a central theme in the Flower and Garden Show this year. You can find them everywhere in the quiet oasis near Heritage Circle. Butterfly sculptures line the roof of the flower shed and are scattered throughout the garden show. You also can see a unique butterfly cage inside the flower shed that represents the view from your kitchen window with dozens of butterflies inside the cage. One of the neatest attractions is Suzanne the Butterfly Lady. Suzanne, a former teacher and butterfly enthusiast, will provide information on growing a butterfly garden, caring for butterflies and other information in…

The ScrumdiddlYUMtious

Firecracker October 20 October 20

Willy Wonka would be proud. Granny Smith apple, dipped in caramel, rolled in toffee candy bits, dipped again in white chocolate, rolled in crushed Butterfinger candy, dipped AGAIN in rich, dark chocolate, rolled in semi-sweet chips, dipped again in chocolate, rolled in an array of nuts, topped with more chocolate and a specialty candy. This comes from Miss Debbies’ Specialty Apples in the Commercial Building, just inside the atrium. Her booth is a candy apple lover’s dream, with more flavors than you can dream. We are big fans of Miss Debbie’s apples. This year, we’ve sampled the Reese’s After Dark…

Wake Up with the Deep Fried Crew: Thursday, Oct. 20