fireworks

The art of the N.C. State Fair fireworks

Teacup September 29 September 28

David Davis may not consider himself an artist, but he spends his work days matching up colors and using the sky as a muse. Davis is the facility manager at Zambelli Fireworks, a company the State Fair uses each year to put on the nightly firework displays we all know and love. Designers and technicians carefully plan each show to include an artistic use of colors and sound, and the N.C. State Fair is one of their special events. “The fair is different because we do a fake finale where we shoot multiple shells at a rapid pace, let it…

Casey’s favorite N.C. State Fair Finds

Funhouse October 18 October 18

Fair mascot Casey Cardinal is back and he’s got lots of tips for fairgoers. Read below to find a few unique N.C. State Fair traditions that makes the fair live up to Nothing Could Be Finer. It’s true, just about every state has a state fair. And these fairs have rides and foods and a midway. But that’s not all that’s at a State Fair. The buildings are full of vendors, state agencies and other organizational booths. The exhibit halls are full of ribbon winners and the livestock barns are bustling with livestock shows. On the grounds you’ll find stilt walkers,…

Weekend Update: May 16-18

Funhouse May 15 May 15

This weekend the fairgrounds is the place to be as the annual Got to Be N.C. Festival brings a mix of food, music, carnival rides and games, antique farm equipment and grandstand entertainment. Gate admission is free. Festival hours are Friday, noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Building and exhibit hours are Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m .to 6 p.m. Sample and buy food, beer and wine from more than 80 North Carolina companies in the Food, Wine and…

Weekend Update: June 29-July 1

Bearded Lady June 29 June 28

If you’re headed to the fairgrounds this weekend, bring plenty of water because it looks like it’s going to be a scorcher. Stop by Saturday and Sunday for the weekly Raleigh Flea Market. Vendors will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily selling everything from watches and wingnuts to fresh fruit and furniture. At the Hunt Horse Complex, visitors can watch show jumping events during the N.C. Hunter Jumper Association’s annual horse show. The event runs through Sunday with shows daily starting at 8 a.m. Admission is free for spectators. For more details, go to www.nchja.com. The Scott…

Tips for shooting the fireworks in their new location

Merrie Go Round October 15 October 15

Many people like to end their day at the State Fair watching the fireworks over the midway. Some even bring cameras to capture the moment. Photographers who want to capture fireworks at night will want to know that the fireworks are being shot from a new location this year. Instead of being shot from the small island on the pond, the fireworks are now going off on property on Trinity Road. For perspective on the new site, if you pretend you were looking at a clock in the direction of the old location of the fireworks and the time was…

Weekend Update: July 1-4

Tilt-A-Whirl June 29 July 29

The holiday weekend at the fairgrounds kicks off today with the start of the NCHJA Annual Hunter Jumper Show at the Hunt Horse Complex. Horses will compete for thousands of dollars in prize money, and the show will feature a variety of special events open to the public. Visitors will have the chance to pet ponies, watch a blacksmith at work and browse the offerings at a silent auction. Frank Cox Productions will host its second Gem & Jewelry Show of the summer Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Scott Building. The diverse offerings for show and sale will include…

Deep Fried Ambassador: It’s been fun!

Firecracker October 24 October 24

This is a guest blogger post by our Official Deep Fried Ambassador, Ashlee. We’ll be reposting her State Fair adventures from her Miss Ashlee blog throughout the Fair. Rocket’s Red Glare! It has been so much fun to be the Deep Fried Ambassador! I’ve connected to people on a whole new level. I’ve discovered the Fair in a whole new light and enjoyed myself to the max!!! It’s with sweet (literally) memories that I tuck this year’s fair into the folds of life and savor it for another year. The State Fair is such a great reminder that another season…

Fireworks fans

Flying Bob August 9 August 6

A few weeks back, we announced we would periodically feature on this blog some of our favorite photos that fans have posted to our Facebook page. Here’s our latest winner. This photo caught our eye because it offers a different perspective on the nightly fireworks show. We’re used to seeing photos of fireworks (and there have been some really, really good ones). This one, submitted by Jewel Wyrick, shows a grandfather and his grandson enjoying the show on a cool fall night. It also reinforces the fact that the State Fair is a tradition for generations of families. For being…

Free fireworks at the fairgrounds on the Fourth

Blue Ribbon June 30 June 30

Where can you watch a free, spectacular fireworks show; enjoy free activities like a water-ballon toss, sack races and Wii gaming; hear local bands for free and eat free N.C. watermelon, all in one day? It’s all at the State Fairgrounds this Sunday for the 2010 July 4th Celebration, presented by the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department and the N.C. State Fair. Gates open at 5 p.m. and activities will run until 8:30 p.m. in the Jim Graham Building and Expo Center. The fireworks display starts at 9:15 p.m. There will be kid-friendly sports challenges, craft activities such as constructing…

Behind the scenes with…Mason Meyer, Zambelli Fireworks

Bearded Lady October 25 October 25

Each night of the Fair, more than 2,000 shells of fireworks light up the skies above the Midway. Even during a light drizzle, the display can be described as “awesome.” What most people don’t know is that it takes a lot of work to make sure the fireworks go off at 9:45 nightly. I spent some time with the crew from Zambelli Friday afternoon to see how they prepare for the nightly show. Mason Meyer explains in this video: There’s only one day left to see the fireworks. Don’t miss your chance to be “A Whole Lotta Happy” at…

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