The Big Wheel Is Back!

If you don’t mind heights, you may recall the State Fair SkyGazer being the newest addition to North Carolina’s State Fair in 2019. Good news for fans of its breathtaking, 15-mile views, North America’s largest traveling Ferris wheel is making a lofty return to the State Fair this year The wheel stands at 155 feet tall, or about 15 stories high. At the top, riders can easily see downtown Raleigh from the top! Biggest Wheel LLC, which owns the Ferris wheel, has taken it to other fairs around the country including the Minnesota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Florida state fairs. Every…

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Take Advantage of Advance Deals

Get in on the advance price on the state fair tickets while you still can. You can save up to $2 per adult ticket if you make your purchase by Oct. 12, which is opening day. If you like to find deals on things, you could appreciate this. Be sure to set the alert on your phone so you’ll be reminded to act on it. Children’s advance tickets are $3. After the 12th, they are $5 at the gate and $4 online. All children under 6 attend the fair for free. Regular prices for tickets are $10 at the gate…

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Like to Ride? Check out Casey’s tips to save on Fair rides

Fair mascot Casey the Cardinal is back and he’s got lots of tips for fairgoers. Read below to find out how to make the most out of the N.C. State Fair if you come to get your fix of whirling, twirling and spinning on more than 100 rides. Tip 1: Come on a wristband day Fairgoers have asked, and now the fair has delivered. This year’s fair will feature FOUR wristband days. Wristbands offer riders unlimited rides on the following days: Thursday, Oct. 13 Friday, Oct. 14 Monday, Oct. 17 Tuesday, Oct. 18 Wristbands are $28 each on Thursday, Oct….

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Casey’s top five ways to save

There’s a new bird in town – fair mascot Casey the Cardinal. And he’s got lots of tips for fairgoers. This week we are looking at a few of Casey’s favorite ways to save. Buy your fair tickets in advance: Tickets to the fair are much cheaper if purchased on or before Oct. 15. Each advance ticket is a $2 savings. Advance tickets for adult admission cost $8 and children ages 6 to 12 cost $3. However, the BIGGEST savings are with ride sheets. Before the fair, buy 18 tickets for $10. At the fair, these same tickets are $1 each. Math is…

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Ready, Set, Buy! Advance ticket sales open Thursday

Advance tickets for the 2013 N.C. State Fair go on sale Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. Buying early is the best way to save if you want to stretch your dollar as far as you can on admission and ride tickets. And, if you’re looking for a front-row seat to one of the Dorton Arena concerts, you’re definitely going to want to be in front of a computer when tickets go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. We want your ticket-buying experience to be as smooth as possible, so here are some tips to have a stress-free experience: BE PATIENT! Things…

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Deep Fried Countdown: 10 days

We’re just 10 days out from the start of the 2012 N.C. State Fair. That’s right, just 10 days until the jaw-dropping rides, deep-fried delicacies and amazing agricultural exhibits. If you’re starting to plan your trip, we’ve got the following 10 tips to get you ready for the fair. Buy tickets in advance Buying tickets in advance not only saves you money, but also saves time standing in line when you get to the fair. You can purchase your tickets online at www.ncstatefair.org or at nine area retail locations. If you like rides, make sure to buy your ride sheets…

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Sweet Potato Swag

Still need to buy your State Fair tickets? Starting Thursday, you can take advantage of nine retail walk-up locations throughout the Triangle and surrounding areas. Buying in advance will save you time waiting in lines at the fair and put more money back in your pockets. Buying in advance also could earn you an N.C. State Fair T-shirt. Here’s how: Merrie Go Round and I will be at the State Farmers Market (one of the retail walk-up locations) Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the market’s Sweet Potato Day. Stop by and grab some free sweet potato dessert…

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Weekend Update: Aug. 17-19

Mark your calendars because we are just under eight weeks away from the 2012 N.C. State Fair. If you haven’t already, you can purchase your gate admission, ride and concert tickets online at www.ncstatefair.org. By purchasing in advance, you’ll avoid lines at the fair, secure your favorite seat for concerts in Dorton Arena and can earn up to three free gate admission tickets with the Early Bird Special. In the meantime, it’s going to be another great weekend at the fairgrounds. The big event this weekend is the Carolina Fall Boat Show and Sale in the Graham Building. If you’re…

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Advance tickets go on sale Aug. 1

The wait is almost over. Advance tickets for the 2012 N.C. State Fair go on sale Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. Buying early is the best way to save if you want to stretch your dollar as far as you can on admission, concerts, grandstand events, rides and more. And, if you’re looking for a front-row seat to one of the Dorton Arena concerts, you’re definitely going to want to be in front of a computer when tickets go on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m. We want your ticket-buying experience to be as smooth as possible, so here are some…

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Weekend Update: July 27-29

If you’ve never visited the Hunt Horse Complex, this is the weekend to do it. The complex will be the site of a hunter show and two dressage shows with free spectator admission for all events. The fairgrounds also will host a sports card and memorabilia show in the Scott Building and the Raleigh Flea Market in and around the Commercial and Education buildings. Read on for more details. NCHJA Summer Indoors Horse Show The N.C. Hunter Jumper Association Summer Indoors ‘C’ Horse Show will start Friday at the Hunt Horse Complex. The competition, organized by Triangle Farms, will feature…

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