NC Mountain State Fair

Squeals, Thrills and Ferris Wheels

Bearded Lady September 8 September 7

Each year, a member of the Deep Fried Crew gets the opportunity to help out in the press office at the N.C. Mountain State Fair. This year, it’s my turn. Like the State Fair in Raleigh, the Mountain Fair has a load of agricultural exhibits, competitions, rides and entertainment for the whole family. This year’s theme is “Squeals, Thrills and Ferris Wheels,” and fairgoers will find all of it in Fletcher. Despite the similarities, the Mountain Fair has some things you won’t find at the State Fair. For instance, next week there will be a rodeo with riders from the…

Weekend Update: June 29-July 1

Bearded Lady June 29 June 28

If you’re headed to the fairgrounds this weekend, bring plenty of water because it looks like it’s going to be a scorcher. Stop by Saturday and Sunday for the weekly Raleigh Flea Market. Vendors will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily selling everything from watches and wingnuts to fresh fruit and furniture. At the Hunt Horse Complex, visitors can watch show jumping events during the N.C. Hunter Jumper Association’s annual horse show. The event runs through Sunday with shows daily starting at 8 a.m. Admission is free for spectators. For more details, go to www.nchja.com. The Scott…

Same but different: Things I love about the Mountain State Fair

Firecracker September 11 September 11

The Mountain State Fair is just like the State Fair. Almost. The Mountain State Fair has most everything the State Fair does. Just on a smaller, more intimate scale. Here’s what I love so much about the Mountain State Fair. The backdrop. You can’t beat the Blue Ridge Mountains as your backdrop. What more do I need to say about that? Drew Expositions. They are the owner and operator of not only the colorful Appalachian Sky Lift, but also the awesome 109-year-old pipe organ found in Kiddieland. The pipe organ is a visual, as well as audible delight, offering traditional…

Love A Fair – Mountain edition

Firecracker September 7 September 8

OK, so this year’s State Fair theme totally fits me. On my way up to Asheville on Tuesday afternoon, I passed a tractor-trailer that was carrying a carnival ride. I assumed it was headed to the Mountain State Fair like I was, but in reality, it could have been headed to a number of county fairs. When I saw it, a big smile spread across my face and I thought, “I Love A Fair.” When I arrived in Asheville, I headed straight to the Western N.C. Ag Center and drove around the fairgrounds. Even against the cloudy sky, the colorful…

Mountain State Fair is taking shape

Merrie Go Round September 9 September 8

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services hosts two annual fairs — the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh and the N.C. Mountain State Fair in Fletcher. The Mountain State Fair starts this Friday at the Western N.C. Ag Center and runs through Sept. 19. The grounds are starting to take shape — rides are going up, exhibits are moving in, musical stages are in place, and there is a lot of activity on the grounds. Visitors to each fair will see livestock, educational exhibits, musical entertainment, racing pigs, crafts, food and rides. But despite the similarities, each fair has its own unique flavor…

Behind the scenes with…the Mountain State Fair guys

Cotton Candy August 28 September 8

I got a chance to sit down with Jim Knight (who you’ll see up first on the video below) and Casey Allen, who work in our Marketing Division and spend a large part of their summers promoting Fletcher’s N.C. Mountain State Fair, to talk about what they’re up to while getting ready for the mountain fun. Jim and Casey work to coordinate advertisements and news releases to make sure Western North Carolinians know about all the fun scheduled for the fair, which kicks off Friday, Sept. 11, at the WNC Ag Center. I was actually able to go to last…

Category: NC Mountain State Fair