rides

The Big Wheel Is Back!

Christa Dutton September 14 September 16

If you don’t mind heights, you may recall the State Fair SkyGazer being the newest addition to North Carolina’s State Fair in 2019. Good news for fans of its breathtaking, 15-mile views, North America’s largest traveling Ferris wheel is making a lofty return to the State Fair this year The wheel stands at 155 feet tall, or about 15 stories high. At the top, riders can easily see downtown Raleigh from the top! Biggest Wheel LLC, which owns the Ferris wheel, has taken it to other fairs around the country including the Minnesota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Florida state fairs. Every…

Casey’s Clubhouse, Fire Safety Show and other ways to enjoy the Fair with young children

Funhouse October 7 October 6

Coming to the Fair with young ones in tow? A little advanced planning can help you make the most of your day. Here are some tips and not-to-be-missed activities for the elementary-aged and younger at the fair. Buy your tickets before the fair starts. Tickets can be purchased at Food Lion, online, the N.C. Museum of History, State Farmers Market and at Gate 9 at the Fairgrounds. It’s no fun to stand in line and purchasing in advance means designated fast-track admission at the entrance gate. Kids under six years old get into the fair free. However, with an Kiddieland…

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…

Like to Ride? Check out Casey’s tips to save on Fair rides

Funhouse October 3 October 10

Fair mascot Casey the Cardinal is back and he’s got lots of tips for fairgoers. Read below to find out how to make the most out of the N.C. State Fair if you come to get your fix of whirling, twirling and spinning on more than 100 rides. Tip 1: Come on a wristband day Fairgoers have asked, and now the fair has delivered. This year’s fair will feature FOUR wristband days. Wristbands offer riders unlimited rides on the following days: Thursday, Oct. 13 Friday, Oct. 14 Monday, Oct. 17 Tuesday, Oct. 18 Wristbands are $28 each on Thursday, Oct….

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…

Progress Photo: Six Days Away

Bearded Lady October 5 October 5

With more than 100 rides spread across the fairgrounds, it’s no wonder workers are already assembling some of your favorites. We expect to see even more rides go up this weekend. We’ll also see more entries being dropped off for the Arts and Photography, Handicrafts and Hobbies, and other competitions. We’ll be around, so look for more updates from the Deep Fried Crew on the blog, Facebook and Twitter. In the meantime, make sure to save time and money by purchasing your State Fair tickets in advance. You can buy your tickets online at www.ncstatefair.org or get them at nine…

Sky Diver is a whirlwind of fun

Bearded Lady September 26 September 26

At first glance, the Sky Diver looks like a plain Ferris wheel. But when you get up close, you realize there is a lot more to this ride than meets the eye. The Sky Diver is based on a Ferris wheel design, but passengers sit in cages similar to the Zipper. The cages are mounted on an axle that allows the cars to spin like a barrel roll. The best part? There’s a wheel in the cage so you, or your co-pilot, can control how fast you spin. To see this technique in action, check out the video below. (My…

Twitter roundup: Ten terrifying rides you won’t want to miss at this year’s State Fair

Tilt-A-Whirl July 22 July 20

The first ride debuted at the N.C. State Fair in 1891. It was called the Switchback Railway and is similar to what we think of today as a roller coaster. Since that time, the number of rides and the importance of the midway has increased as the fair has moved away from focusing solely on agriculture to promoting and celebrating North Carolina industry and culture more generally. The fair has a diverse offering of some pretty amazing rides, we posted some tweets on rides over the past week (#10terryifyingrides) to show people all the great adventures. Like we did last…

Tilt-A-Whirl here, signing on

Tilt-A-Whirl June 3 June 3

Starting a new job is always nerve-racking, but I have to say that I felt welcome the moment I walked through the door here at the N.C. State Fair. Besides all the lovely people I work with here, I think the transition was made easier by the fact I’m exactly where I wanted to be this summer. I love the Fair, and that, combined with the passion that I have for public service, is why I chose to apply for this internship and then to work here. I hope eventually to make a career out of public service, and I…

Tag: rides