When a farmer says he has a bumper crop of strawberries, it means his harvest is unusually large and exceptional. When we say we have a Bumper Crop of Fun, we’re describing the exceptional time that fair-goers will have when they come to the 2012 N.C. State Fair this October.
From a bumper crop of rides and food on the Midway, to the bumper crop of skills displayed in the various competitions, the North Carolina State Fair is an unusually large harvest of fun. This year’s theme is a nod to agriculture’s importance to our state. Be sure to join us October 11-21 for a Bumper Crop of Fun and follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date on what’s new.
Got To Be NC Recap
Hopefully you were able to check out this year’s festival, we had a great weekend and hope you did as well! The 2012 Got to be NC Festival occupied most of the fairgrounds May 18-20, with almost 120,000 patrons attending the various events. Guests enjoyed the Food and Wine Expo, the Carolina FiberFest, grandstand events, the Pig Jig, the annual Bluegrass Band competition, concerts by Leon Jacobs Jr., daily tractor parades and of course the carnival and antique farm equipment.
The festival grew in attendance, added new attractions and received positive feedback from visitors. “We had a blast – I know we will return next year. Loved that we could buy wristbands for the rides on Friday – really made it worthwhile,” said Sarah Sprouse. “Gets bigger every year, doesn’t it? Love the Shriner Fish Fry!” added Lisa Conner.
Dorton Arena was home to a concert by gospel group Third Day on Friday night, a Roller Girl Tournament on Saturday and the Trans-Jam BMX tournament on Sunday. The grandstand events were free all weekend courtesy of WalMart, and included border collie herding demonstrations, kids activities, the draft horse pull, antique tractor pull and garden and mini hot rod tractor pulls.
Attendance to the Got to be NC Food and Wine Expo increased by 14%, with anchor sponsor MOM’S Brand distributing thousands of packages of cereal, prizes and balloons. The State Fair Flea Market was open during the festival, and a boat show by Chatlee Marine in the Scott Building and two horse shows in the Hunt Horse Complex rounded out the weekend. There was something for everyone at this year’s festival and we hope you come out to celebrate NC with us next year May 17th – 19th.