2015 N.C. State Fair

56 million bubbles in a bottle

Firecracker December 31 January 7

Are you looking for something to toast in the new year with? We may not produce champagne in North Carolina (to call it champagne, it must be produced in the Champagne region of France), but we do produce some really great sparkling wines. Champagne became popular with European royalty and was originally expensive and seen as a status symbol. We’re lucky to have several great, affordable sparkling wines to choose from made similarly to how champagne is made in France. American sparkling wines are typically made in two methods, méthode champenoise and the charmat method. The first is more expensive…

Ribbon-winning desserts for Thanksgiving

Funhouse November 24 December 30

Cooks come from all over to to compete in the N.C. State Fair Special Cooking Contests held in the education building during the fair. Hundreds of cooks and some pretty creative recipes compete during the 11-days of contests for ribbons, bragging rights and a chance at a portion of the more than $4,000 in prize money. Since Thanksgiving is coming up this Thursday, we thought it’s the perfect time to share two ribbon-winning desserts from this year’s fair that feature some of North Carolina’s favorite fall produce. To get Best of Show pies at home, use fresh, locally grown ingredients….

Casey’s Highlights from the 2015 N.C. State Fair

Funhouse November 2 November 12

The 2015 State Fair ended just over a week ago with attendance topping the 1 million mark. This week Casey Cardinal is offering a trip down memory lane to look back at his top five highlights from the fair. Friday Frenzy and record attendance days: The fair started with two record attendance days. Preview Day on Thursday brought in a record 50,327 people. Friday’s new promotion, Friday Frenzy, brought in 90,954 people, many who took advantage of the $5 admission for students and an unlimited ride wristband promotion. It was a great kickoff to 11 days of strong attendance. Opening…

Michael’s Day offers magical day to special fairgoers

Funhouse October 29 November 12

It all started last year with a little boy named Michael and a wish to come to the fair. Michael Breuer was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer involving developing nerve cells, at age 4. Before the 2014 N.C. State Fair, Michael’s grandmother, Pam Brown, called up the State Fair and asked if the fair had a special day or a place for kids that were sick to go during the fair. Fair officials worked to help make the accommodations needed to help Michael come to the fair. Unfortunately, his disease prevented him from visiting with his family. Michael passed away at…

Deep Fried Review: Deep-Fried Klondike Bar

Funhouse October 23 October 23

What would you do for a deep-fried Klondike Bar? Check out Firecraker and Flying Bob’s review of this treat from Chef’s D’Lites. We weren’t let in on any deep-fried secrets of how to make your own at home — but we are pretty sure the chefs took a play from Paula Deen’s playbook and added butter. And, a touch of cinnamon. Watch to see what else our reviewers have to say about it.

Casey’s Don’t Miss List for the last weekend of the fair

Funhouse October 23 November 12

There’s a new bird in town – fair mascot Casey Cardinal. And he’s got lots of tips for fairgoers. This week we are looking at a few of Casey’s suggestions for what not to miss the last weekend of the fair. Get a selfie with the FloraSapiens These tall, lithe, plant-like creatures with a big personality are roaming around Heritage Circle. They just love to pose for pictures and move to the sounds of bluegrass coming from the Heritage Circle Stage. The FloraSapiens are joined by Mother Earth, who enjoys hanging out around the Flower Show area. Have a ham biscuit…

Mock Tobacco Auction on Friday allows fairgoers to ‘follow sale’

Funhouse October 22 November 12

The new tobacco pavilion in Heritage Circle will hosts its first mock tobacco auction Friday at 2 p.m. The auction has been held in the Expo Center for the past several years. The new venue will allow even more fairgoers to experience a throwback to N.C.’s past. “Tobacco is an important part of North Carolina’s heritage and agricultural economy,” said Pat Short, Heritage Circle superintendent. “It’s an industry that is well represented in Heritage Circle with the tobacco tying competition, curing in a traditional stick tobacco barn and the mock auction.” Tobacco auctions were common all over North Carolina until…

Quilt competition spreads Christmas joy

Funhouse October 21 November 12

This is the first year Anthony Baker, 34, of Zebulon entered a quilt into the N.C. State Fair. It may not have been a blue ribbon winner, but that didn’t mean it isn’t the best in show to one person in his life. Baker, who learned embroidery from a neighbor over the summer, created a Christmas quilt for his mother and surprised her with it at the fair. “My mom’s mom passed away a few year’s ago and I used fabric that belonged to her to put this one together,” he said. “She cried when she saw it and wanted…

Market Display Competition allows families and commercial farms to get creative with their fruits and veggies

Funhouse October 19 October 19

Produce and creativity collide in the Market Display Competition in the Expo Center. Families and commercial farms compete in decorating small market stands that include a minimum of 12 different produce items. More than bragging rights are at stake; the winning entry claims $200 in prize money. This year’s winner was Lee’s Produce from Meadow. Ellen and Marshall Lee and their daughter, Shelly Johnson, included fresh fruits and veggies and a working hydroponic pump. The display includes a variety of “living” lettuce. The Lees have sold their produce at the State Farmers Market since 1991. The farm enters several horticulture…

Q&A with Poppin’ Penelope

Funhouse October 16 November 12

Poppin Penelope and her brightly colored balloons are decorating the Expo Center lobby for a second year. We caught up with Penelope to find out a little about her unique talents and what she thinks of the N.C. State Fair. How did you get started as a balloon artist? “My brother is Farmer Phil. He’s played the N.C. State Fair in the past and was the first one in the family in this type of business. I saw he was having a lot more fun at his job than I was having at mine. I do balloon art, but I…

Category: 2015 N.C. State Fair