Celebrate What’s Great

Deep FRIEDays: Worth It Cafe

Bearded Lady September 10 September 9

Craving deep-fried goodness, but can’t wait until October? We’re here to help. Each Friday in September, Bearded Lady will visit a local Best Dish in N.C. restaurant to see what chefs are frying to satisfy a Fair fanatic’s hunger. Along the way, he’ll sample deep-fried creations worthy of the N.C. State Fair. And, while you won’t find these foods at the Fair, you will find them throughout the year at our participating restaurants. Last Friday, we sampled deep-fried goodness from Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse. This week, we continue our search for local restaurants serving unique fried creations with another Durham establishment, Worth It Cafe. Located at the corner of T.W. Alexander…

Artist Spotlight: Chris Tomlin

Firecracker September 10 September 9

Chances are, if you’ve been to a church recently that has a contemporary worship service, you’re probably familiar with at least one song written by Chris Tomlin. He’s one of the most prolific worship singer/songwriters of the new millenium, producing songs that have been a hit on contemporary Christian radio and in the sanctuary. Some of these songs include “How Great Is Our God,” “Jesus Messiah,” “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone),” and “Our God.” As a matter of fact, according to Christian Copyright Licensing Inc., of the top 25 songs sung in churches, Tomlin has credit on six of…

Subway Great Fair-A-Thon Challenge Clue #1

Blue Ribbon September 7 September 7

In 2008, the N.C. State Fair helped celebrate the 10th anniversary of Jared the Subway guy’s tremendous weight loss, and his former size 60 pants, with the Pants Dance Revolution. This year, Jared is taking his message of health and fitness all the way to New York to compete in the NYC Marathon, and he wants you to come cheer him on. All you have to do is help us “Celebrate What’s Great” about the State Fair by competing in the Great Fair-A-Thon Challenge, and you may be on your way to the Big Apple! Great Fair-A-Thon Challenge participants will first compete…

Super secret Subway surprise

Bearded Lady September 3 September 3

We don’t like to keep secrets around here. Sure there’s an occassional concert lineup that we can’t talk about, but it’s painful not to reveal cool stuff about the Fair. Unfortunately, there are times we have to keep our mouths shut. For instance, we want to tell you about a sweet new promotion we are doing with Subway this year, and how it’s even more fun than the $5 Footlong Song Challenge or the Pants Dance Revolution. We want to tell you how much fun your friends and family will have participating in the contest, and how it’s going to tie in all the great things…

Artist Spotlight: Darius Rucker

Bearded Lady August 31 September 13

Seeing Darius Rucker on Saturday, Oct. 23, is going to be a like a homecoming. Growing up in South Carolina like I did, everyone knew Hootie and the Blowfish and its frontman. Everyone had a “Hootie” story – one of those stories that goes something like, “My cousin was roommates with the dogsitter of Hootie’s neighbor,” or “I bumped into Hootie in a mosh pit at a house party when I went to USC.” After meeting virtually everyone in South Carolina, except me, Darius Rucker dropped the “Hootie” name and transitioned to country music with 2008’s Learn to Live. Songs like “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” “History in the Making” and…

Artist Spotlight: Carolina Chocolate Drops

Bearded Lady August 27 September 13

When Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson formed the Carolina Chocolate Drops in 2005, there was no way of knowing the success their old-time string band would see in five short years. The trio began playing with fiddler Joe Thompson at his home in Mebane, and have since gone on to perform at huge music festivals like Bonnaroo and revered venues like the Grand Ole Opry (they will perform for a second time on Tuesday). CCD also has seen its latest album, Genuine Negro Jig, reach number one on the Billboard bluegrass chart and the band has even starred alongside Denzel Washington in 2007’s The Great Debaters. Here’s a look at the…

Free grounds entertainment abounds (Part 2)

Firecracker August 24 August 24

Last week, we brought you the first installment of our very busy entertainment lineup. Today, we finish it up with part deux. The racing pigs and the King BMX show are two of the most popular acts on the ground. We’re excited to bring back the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band to offer topnotch entertainment on the Bluegrass Stage. And we’ve got new acts on the Waterfall Stage, including Jeanne Jolly, who has a dedicated local following. We’re supplementing both of those stages with additional acts on the weekend to keep the fun going. So without further ado, here’s part…

Artist Spotlight: Casting Crowns

Bearded Lady August 19 September 13

I recently heard the name Casting Crowns for the first time. Obviously, there are many more people that have heard of the headlining act at Dorton Arena Friday, Oct. 15. After two weeks of advance sales, the concert for the Atlanta-based group has sold more than 1,800 tickets and is on its way to being our first sold-out show of 2010. I decided to see what all the excitement was about, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought I might hear something similar to old gospel tunes from my grandparents’ radio, but after listening to the artist’s songs on our 2010 N.C. State Fair Pandora station, I understand…

Fairgoers learn to outwit, outlive and outgrow in new exhibit

Bearded Lady August 4 August 4

Have you ever tried growing a plant from seed? Getting the right combination of water, sunlight and nutrients can be challenging, but not impossible, even with a not-so-green thumb. Our new exhibit, Seed Survivor, aims to teach the secrets of growing plants with displays about the water cycle, healthy soil and photosynthesis. The exhibit, sponsored by Agrium, is a curriculum-based educational experience featuring games and interactive displays. As you enter the tent near Gate 12, grab a passport and collect stamps by completing challenges that teach you how to outwit, outlive and outgrow the competition. At the end of the exhibit, you can plant your own sunflower…

Roaming acts are up, down and all around

Bearded Lady August 2 July 30

You never know where you will find one of the many free roaming acts at the Fair. These world-class entertainers can be found high among the trees, scooting along the grounds and everywhere in between. For starters, look up to the sky. You might see our resident stilt walker, Carrie McQueen, juggling through the crowd on her extended legs. She’s back this year with all of her eccentric costumes. Rock-It the Robot, towering at 9 feet tall, won’t be hard to find either. If you have trouble, listen for the music and the crowd dancing to the beat around him. There are plenty…

Tag: Celebrate What’s Great