n.c. state fair

Jumping for the blue: Inside the ring of the Hunter Jumper horse shows at the N.C. State Fairgrounds

Rollercoaster October 11 October 7

In the hunter jumper world, the common phrase “going for the gold” transforms to “jumping for the blue,” as in the coveted first place ribbon. Every year farms from around the state bring their best horses and riders to compete in the Hunter Jumper shows and derby at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Hunter jumping is a style of English horseback riding where both horse and rider are judged on accuracy, form, consistency and demeanor while performing a series of jump courses. “So much of horseback riding is mental and both parties affect the other, meaning the horse affects the rider…

Youthful bluegrass band One Fret Over takes the bluegrass stage

Cliffhanger September 13 September 9

A meeting at summer camp has led to success for a pair of siblings from Salisbury and Kernersville. Their band, One Fret Over, will perform at the N.C. State Fair in Heritage Circle on Saturday, Oct. 19. Based out of central North Carolina, One Fret Over is comprised of two sets of siblings; Gabe Bemus (guitar and vocals), Grace Bemus (fiddle and vocals), Elijah Moore (mandolin) and Lincoln Moore (bass). The band members met at youth bluegrass camp in 2016. They formed One Fret Over in early 2017 and have filled their schedule performing at local venues and festivals ever…

The One-Man Band: Bandaloni makes North Carolina debut at the N.C. State Fair

Cliffhanger September 11 September 9

Paul David, the man behind the one-man band Bandaloni has traveled to many places from Alberta, Canada to Iowa performing at events and fairs. This year he will bring his singular show to the N.C. State Fair. David has performed at fairs for the past 20 years, the equivalent of spending over four full years at a fair. He was also on the very first season of “America’s Got Talent. David’s affinity for music began as a child a small village in Ontario, Canada. He grew up with three brothers and an older sister. His first musical influence was his…

Meet the Superintendent: Don Edwards

Cliffhanger July 30 July 24

Every year at the State Fair, there are hundreds of different competitions to enter. Each category of competitions is managed by its own superintendent who oversees the show schedules, volunteers, and operations. This year the poultry show will have a new superintendent, Don Edwards, but he is hardly new to the event. Edwards has been working with the show for 25 years, helping to set up the competitions and get youth more involved. “This year is the first time I have the title of superintendent,” Edwards said. “This may be my first year as superintendent, but I have years of…

You’ve Got to Be at the Got to Be NC Festival This Weekend!

Sweet Corn May 14 May 15

With more than 100 tractors, North Carolina food and beverages, music, a carnival and free kids’ activities, the Got to Be NC Festival is an event you don’t want to miss at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, May 17-19. “The antique tractor and farm equipment display, featuring a daily tractor parade, and the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace are two of the unique highlights of the festival,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We have one of the largest antique tractor displays in the Southeast, and the marketplace features around 80 North Carolina companies offering the opportunity to sample the…

What it’s really like working as an intern at the State Fair

Teacup November 2 November 29

As the year comes to a close, so does my time with the N.C. Department of Agriculture. I still have winter break to look forward to, but holiday treats just can’t compare to the seeing the joy of fairgoers munching on turkey legs and deep-fried pumpkin pie. My time as an intern has been unforgettable. Over the summer, I was thrilled to spend my days interviewing ice cream shop owners, beekeeping entrepreneurs, Montagnard staff members and competition winners. In fact, my favorite part about my daily work at the department was getting to meet so many different people that all…

Extensive collection of plows and farm equipment donated to NCDA&CS

Candy Apple October 21 October 21

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has received a generous gift from the estate of John William “Bill” Turner: a large collection of antique plows and associated farm equipment. A portion of the collection has been on display in the Antique Farm Machinery barn at the State Fair, nestled among other rare and unique items. Bill Turner and his father, Sam, shared a love of the “tools of the earth.” Bill grew up at the foot of Cherry Mountain, in an old home with no electricity or running water. In an essay written in 2008, he described a…

The Making of a Nurse: How Showing Livestock Impacted a Nursing Student

Marisa Linton See October 6 October 4

Did you know that there is a huge shortage in nurses throughout the USA? According to the American Nurses Association there will be a need for 3.44 million nurses by 2022 which is a 20.2 percent increase in RNs. In other words, there will be a need for 1.13 million additional nurses. That is a staggering number, but there are those who are seeking to fill those positions. Meet Megan Lawing. She is a nursing student at Gardner-Webb University. She is also a N.C. State Fair Livestock Scholarship recipient. Megan grew up showing sheep for 15 years and showed pigs…

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…

10 fun things you can do during your visit to the fair

Fair Flyer October 15 October 16

Here at Deep Fried, we know a thing or two about the N.C. State Fair. Our staff has more than 50 years’ experience with this annual event, so if you’re looking for directions to help you maneuver all 200 acres of the fairgrounds or the best places to eat, we can point you in the right direction. But, before you head out to try the latest deep-fried culinary delights at the fair, here are a few things you can do to build up an appetite: Visit the State Fair Ark. This is the best place to see North Carolina’s diverse…

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