Smokey Bear

Be sure to add the N.C. Forest Service exhibit to your list of things to do while visiting the N.C. State Fair

Funhouse October 7 October 7

The N.C. State Fair is just days away from opening and is sure to be a treat for all ages. Whether you’re here for the thrilling rides, educational exhibits or to indulge yourself with a wide variety of delectable food options, this year’s fair will feature many of its traditional favorites while also showcasing several new attractions. The N.C. Forest Service has had an annual footprint at the N.C. State Fair since 1983 and will continue to interact and entertain fairgoers in 2022. With the debut of the newly installed Gate 7 entryway, fairgoers will not only have an additional…

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…

The bear, the myth, the legend: An interview with Smokey Bear

Teacup September 20 September 21

Smokey, how did you become an icon for wildfire prevention? The idea for wildfire prevention started in the spring of 1942 during World War II. People were afraid they would start wildfires, and with so many off fighting the war, there were only a few folks left to battle the fires at home. The idea was to prevent as many wildfires as possible, so the Forest Service started the campaign with posters that read, “Forest Fires Aid the Enemy” and “Our Carelessness, Their Secret Weapon.’’ In 1944, Disney gave them permission to use characters from the film “Bambi” for one…

900 miles of toilet paper and other numbers

Funhouse October 7 October 5

150. That’s how many times the N.C. State Fair has been held since 1853. Which means there has been 150 opening days, 150 times there’s been blue-ribbon winners and 150 times that folks have gathered from all over the state in Raleigh to celebrate agriculture and North Carolina. While we were thinking about the significance of 150. We began to think of some other numbers (some of them a little weird) that define the N.C. State Fair. 2,400: Supersized rolls of toilet paper (or 900 miles) 100: Carnival rides 34: Number of year’s Big Smokey has been at the…

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,…

Casey’s Clubhouse, big slide plus six other fun things for young children

Funhouse October 7 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 are a parent with young children in tow. Stroller-drivers, we see you. We know that families love to come to the fair together. And that many of these families have children in the preschool and elementary-age range. If you fit this description then this advice is for you. Here are seven tips for enjoying the fair with young children. Last year I missed out on meeting a…

The bear went over the mountain…

Bearded Lady October 22 October 21

You don’t have to go over a mountain to see some of the best exhibits at the fair. You just have to go “up the hill.” If you’ve never been up the hill from the lake, then you’ve missed a special portion of the N.C. State Fair. The area located near Heritage Circle is full of exhibits from the N.C. Forest Service and Division of Soil and Water Conservation. The most recognizable display on the hill is a giant, talking Smokey Bear. Children love interacting with Smokey and asking him questions. Other N.C. Forest Service exhibits provide useful information on…

Deep Fried Triangle Tweetup Recap

Bearded Lady October 14 October 14

We had a great time last night hanging out with more than 100 of our social media followers at the Deep Fried Triangle Tweetup. We hope everyone had fun creating origami Twitter birds, sharing their State Fair memories, learning how to yo-yo, sampling Deep Fried Kool-Aid and House-Autry Mills hushpuppies and posing on our red carpet during the event. We’d like to send a special thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors who made the event such a success. Thanks to Susan Hansen from the Village of Yesteryear, Lisa Gregory with Blue Ribbon Memories, The Amazing Arthur Fratelli, Smokey Bear and…

Tag: Smokey Bear