Powers Great American Midway

Progress Photo: The countdown is on

Firecracker October 10 October 10

With less than 24 hours left before the gates open on the 2012 edition of the N.C. State Fair, employees and volunteers were busy putting the finishing touches on rides, concession stands, exhibits and the grounds. Gates will open for Preview Day on Thursday at 3 p.m. On Preview Day only, ride lovers can purchase a ride wristband for $28, good for any ride between 3:30 p.m. and midnight. The wristband cannot be used on any other days. Thursday is also the last day to buy discounted gate and ride tickets. Tickets can be purchased at walk-up locations until 6…

Powers Great American Midways will return in 2010

Flying Bob December 1 December 1

If you’ve grown accustomed to the rides and games at the N.C. State Fair, you’ll be happy to know that the company operating the midway will return again next year. State Fair organizers have signed a contract with Powers Great American Midways to operate the carnival rides and games at the 2010 State Fair. Under the contract, Powers will pay the State Fair a fee based on the number of people who buy admission tickets to the Fair. That financial arrangement has been good for the State Fair, which does not receive any taxpayer dollars to cover operations. Powers paid…

Will you use your Preview Day Unlimited Ride Wristband on this new ride?

Cotton Candy August 31 August 31

While deep-fried food and heart-pounding thrill rides may not seem like the most natural of companions, the two always share the spotlight during the Fair. We’re always keeping an eye out for the newest additions to both, and we just learned that the ride pictured at left will debut at the N.C. State Fair in October. The ride is a combination of the beloved swings and a drop zone-type ride. As you can tell from the photo, riders are swung in a circle while the swings go up and down the high yellow pole. If this ride tops your to-do…

The countdown is on!

Firecracker January 23 May 8

According to my countdown, it looks like we are 265 days away from the 2009 N.C. State Fair! Which means the clock is ticking for the Fairgrounds staff to pull together another stellar entertainment lineup and to get everything ready for another great event. The past few months were spent wrapping up the 2008 N.C. State Fair and attending fair conventions. A few highlights: In December, the State Fair signed a contract with Powers Great American Midways to provide the Midway for the 2009 N.C. State Fair. We are excited to work with Corky, Charlie and their very professional crew…

Stick ’em

Flying Bob October 15 May 8

The N.C. State Fair has arguably the largest midway in North America. And each of the 100-plus rides on the midway undergoes a rigorous inspection by the N.C. Department of Labor before the first rider steps on. Bureau Chief Jonathan Brooks and his crew of 24 inspectors have been working diligently to inspect each ride to make sure it is 100 percent in line with the manufacturer’s specifications. If it doesn’t pass muster, it doesn’t “get stuck.” That’s industry lingo for the sticker that certifies a ride has passed inspection. North Carolina’s standards for ride safety are among the strictest…

New Rides @ the N.C. State Fair

Firecracker August 14 May 10

The Claw in action at the 2007 N.C. State Fair I had a chance yesterday to talk with Charlie Belknap from Powers Great American Midways, the official carnival provider of the 2008 N.C. State Fair. Powers has been busy since we saw them last October. As a matter of fact, they’re in Maryland this week, traveling to New York next week, and on to Pennsylvania before making their way back south for the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair (Goldsboro) in September. According to Charlie, they’ve been busy and are anticipating another huge Midway at the Fair, with around 110 rides –…

Tag: Powers Great American Midway