Today marks the first full day of autumn, but step outside and it sure doesn’t feel like it. Which means it doesn’t quite feel like Fair time just yet. The marquee on the Expo Center this afternoon said it was 93 degrees. Not quite the crisp fall day that gets me in the mood for the State Fair. But don’t fret. Even though it’s still shorts and T-shirt weather, we are now three weeks away from the 2010 N.C. State Fair and we’re full speed ahead to get everything ready in time.
The fairgrounds is a bevy of activity. This is the last weekend of events before we clear it out to get ready for the Fair. The Southern Ideal Home Show will fill up Dorton Arena, the Expo Center and the Jim Graham Building with everything you can think of for inside and outside your home. The 76th North State Toy and Hobby Show will be in the Scott Building on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the Holshouser Building will be bustling with families and their dogs at the AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day. The event is free and you can get your dog microchipped for just $25. The N.C. Quarter Horse Association has a Futurity Show at the Hunt Horse Complex all weekend. And of course, the Raleigh Flea Market at the State Fairgrounds will be in full swing all weekend, too. This is a great time to shop for bargains as all the vendors inside the buildings have to move out so the Fair can move in. They are typically willing to make a deal so they don’t have to move it.
The grounds crews have been busy mulching and prepping to make sure the grounds look great in time for more than 750,000 of our closest friends to show up. Rides and concession stands will start showing up soon. There’s lots to be done. Watch for the transformation to occur in West Raleigh over the next few weeks.
