Coming to a TV near you

Production of the State Fair’s TV commercials has begun. MSA, the advertising agency for the fair, proposed an interesting concept marrying still photography with animation. I would characterize the approach as the State Fair meets “South Park” (but without the profanity). Above is a glimpse of the photo shoot that took place July 16 at MSA’s studios. The actors were shot using a wide-angle lens, and their heads will be put on animated bodies in the commercials. Look for the finished ads on the air beginning in September, about a month before the fair opens.

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Mario on So You Think You Can Dance

I’m a self-professed country music-aholic, so I’m usually first in line for the Fair’s big name country acts like Josh Turner and Jason Aldean and up-and-comers like Lady Antebellum. So when last night’s So You Think You Can Dance featured a unique hip hop dance choreographed to Mario’s “Skippin” song, I had to reconsider my straight-country ticket. Although the two talented dancers who danced this “Frankenstein” inspired routine (check it out below!) will be on their own nationwide tour, you can catch Mario’s song live on the stage of Dorton Arena Thursday, October 23. Tickets go on sale at 8…

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Peachy keen

With the State Fair premium book now up online, North Carolinians are one step closer to getting one of those coveted blue ribbons. If you’re thinking about entering a peach dish, July 24th’s Peach Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh would be a great time to stock up on fresh, local peaches–after all, the prime time for getting N.C. peaches is right now. You could even take it one step further and use the Farmers Market’s peach dessert contest as a test run for your favorite peach dessert. Judging begins at 10…

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Barnyard Animals: A Preview of the Fair

“Were you raised in a barn, child?” If I heard it once, I heard it a hundred times growing up from my grandmother. She was getting on to me for racing out of the house to play without closing the door, but today at the State Farmer’s Market in Raleigh I think she would have meant it as a compliment. More than a dozen children competed in a “Farm Animal Sounds” contest at the Market Festival, as well as in Corn Shucking and Corn Eating contests. There was quite a turnout of people there to cheer on the brave (and…

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To be announced

When we announced the concert lineup last week, we left two dates intentionally blank. This has created quite the stir among Dorton Arena concert lovers, who have had plenty of suggestions for who we should get to perform those nights. Sorry to disappoint, but we actually have artists booked for those nights, but are under contractual obligation to hold off on announcing those acts until a later date. For those of you who have weighed in, we can tell you a few people who are not filling those spots: Clay Aiken will not be at the Fair, Daughtry will not…

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“The Queen of Quilts”

The N.C. State Fair is saddened at the death of one of its biggest supporters, Mrs. Charlotte Wyatt. Besides being the proud mom of State Fair Manager Wesley Wyatt, Mrs. Wyatt served as supervisor of the quilts and clothing division for more than 30 years. She retired her post at the end of the 2007 State Fair, expecting to spend her coming Octobers in the mountains or on other personal pursuits. The News & Observer did a wonderful story last year about this great lady and her accomplishments right before her retirement. You can find the article here:http://www.newsobserver.com/news/fair/story/737358.html Wesley, you…

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100 days until the Fair

Can you believe it? 265 days down, and only 100 to go until the 2008 State Fair. To celebrate, here’s a look at some of the other numbers associated with the state’s biggest gathering of food, rides, animals and N.C. agriculture. . . 9 – Gate number where you’ll find the racing pigs 11 days (as of this year!) long 25 cents – The admission to the Fair in 1853 60 – Years of the Folk Festival 120 decibels – The noise level of screaming fans during Dorton Arena concerts 155 – years since the first Fair $70 billion –…

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