Getting old enough to walk around the fair without your parents is a rite of passage for many youth. Here’s a few tips to help nervous parents navigate sending their teen out on their own.
Have a meeting place. Suggestions for a good meeting place are the waterfall area, the Martin Building on the Midway or the Tobacco Pavilion.
Don’t rely just on cell phones. With the rides and number of people, the fair can be a noisy place. Don’t count on your teen hearing their cell phone. Also, on busy days, cell service can be a little spotty.
Purchase unlimited ride wristbands and admission in advance. This will keep parents from having to give your teen a bunch of money to bring out to the fair. Before Thursday, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m., the Dizzy Pass, which is a unlimited ride wristband and an admission ticket is $31 online. Even after the fair starts, tickets can be purchased online. They will still need money for food and games. We recommend you making them cut the grass or powerwash the driveway to earn this.
Use the park and ride options at Cary Towne Center, Triangle Town Center, White Oak Shopping Center in Garner and other locations throughout the Triangle area. If you are dropping off your teenager at the fair, use the Gate 1 drop off lane off of Hillsborough Street.
Friday Frenzy is Oct. 12, students can get in for $6 with a student ID or recent report card.
Just remember that you know your child the best. This means knowing when he or she is mature enough to walk around without mom or dad.
