Get your official weight at the fair — if you dare

Glen Farmer is a heavy-scales inspector with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For a few shifts during the N.C. State Fair, he weighs something a little more fun — fair-goers. For the last 20 years, he has worked the Standards Division booth inside the Education Building near the House-Autry hush puppies. “We have your official weight according the to State of North Carolina,” said Farmer. “A lot of folks just shake their heads when given their printout and try to tell us it’s not right. But it is!” In North Carolina, anytime a scale is used to…

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Progress Photo – Two days and counting

At the N.C. State Fair, we try not to judge. That is, unless ribbons are involved. And let me tell you, there was a lot of judging going on today at the fair. The Education, Hobbies and Handicrafts and Scott buildings were all abuzz with experts tasting, smelling and examining their way through entries. Everywhere you looked, you could find white, red, blue and purple ribbons being tied onto winning entries. Outside, the rides are under construction and food vendors are getting set up. Gates open Thursday at 3 p.m. You can plan your trip at www.ncstatefair.org.

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Progress Photos: Tuesday

We walked around the fairgrounds today and noticed it’s looking a lot like the Fair. More than 100 rides are being assembled and inspected in the midway, old midway and Kiddieland. The Education Building is full of activity with judges tasting sweet baking entries and hanging quilts for display. In Dorton Arena, sound equipment is being installed for the nightly concerts, and in the Village of Yesteryear crafters are unloading their wares and preparing for 11 days of demonstrations. There are a lot of great things going on at the fairgrounds. Come celebrate what’s great with us when we open…

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Progress Photo: Saturday

Premium Book entries are still rolling into the exhibit halls across the fairgrounds. Several departments began accepting pieces on Friday, including the art and photography department. Art entries will be accepted in the Kerr Scott Building until Sunday at 5 p.m. When complete, the exhibit will feature more than 2,500 pieces of work from school art classes, amateurs and professionals. In the Education Building, the display cases are filling up with canned goods for the food preservation contest, quilts are being dropped off and prepared for hanging, and clothing entries are being placed into position. You’ll be able to see…

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