Sing with me. “Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning.” What a great theme for this year’s North Carolina State Fair — “NOTHING COULD BE FINER.”
State fairs are so much fun, and the one in North Carolina is ranked among the Top Ten in the United States. I’m so glad that my Silver Fox and I had a chance to see it in person this year. Allow me to share it with you in pictures.
Each state fair has distinguishing characteristics based on the heritage or unique qualities of that state. In North Carolina, tobacco has been an important crop for years. This display was near the entrance. Tobacco before and after.
Tobacco about to be picked
Dried tobacco
There were HUNDREDS of food vendors with giant turkey legs and anything fried being the most popular items. My Silver Fox/veterinarian is convinced that some animal other than a turkey has legs this meaty and large.
Turkey legs on the grill
Silver Fox and cousin Reitzel with their turkey legs
My trainer will be happy to learn that I resisted MANY fattening possibilities.
Items I did NOT eat
German chocolate apples
Surely a muscadine slushie is a healthy choice.
Something healthy — muscadine slushie
If you love competitive cooking, sewing, or cake-decorating, you’ll want to try for a Blue Ribbon. It was good to see 4H still alive and well in North Carolina.
ornate gown
A “cheese” cake
Blue ribbon pies and muffins
Blue ribbon cakes
winning 4H crafts
Look at all of the amazing produce.
“oversized fun”
Turban squash
giant pumpkin
produce display
tomatoes
Talented craftsmen displayed their wares. I particularly enjoyed watching a violin maker, and artist Robert Hall, while Steve enjoyed an innovative hammock.
A violin maker
Robert Hall in front of some of his Hall’s Originals
Silver Fox trying out a hammock/recliner device
A beekeeper is in this cage with a full honeycomb and hundreds of buzzing bees. She says the secret is to remain very calm. Bees were all over her, but I didn’t see her flinch from a sting even once. And look at the work of this Balloon Lady. The whole room was filled with her display.
A beekeeper. In a cage. With hundreds of buzzing bees.
The balloon lady
The NC Fair also had a gorgeous botannical garden section. So much color. So many varieties of plants.
giant pink dahlia
Jack-o-lantern with a ghost on top
mums
If you have an opportunity, I would encourage you to attend a state fair in your area next fall. Minnesota’s is ranked #1 in the country, but they are all fun. We stayed away from the dizzying rides, but that might be just your “thing.” There was one big advantage to being 65 — free admission. Go in the morning and on a weekday. The weekends get very congested. The attendance during this year’s 10-day run was 1,019,732. That, my friends, adds up to a LOT of cotton candy and ferris wheel rides.
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