newsobserver.com blogs -- statefair09

Howling cows?

marthaq — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:53:20 -0400

People already feel like cattle as they try to squeeze through the human chute down the hill from the Expo Center, between the Hobbies and Crafts building and the Rabbit Barn. Might as well have some ice cream that has some heifer, uh, heft to it while you're passing through.

Next to Hobbies and Crafts, the N.C. State University dairy offers giant cones of its Howling Cow ice cream, made with fresh milk from local university research farms.

People line up 100-deep to get it -- no exaggeration -- getting jostled by strollers and ears of buttered corn as they wait.

And, with today's high temperatures expected to reach near 80 degrees, the line won't be getting any shorter.

When it's not fair season, this dairy treat is available to students, faculty, staff and visitors at University Dining locations, where lines are presumably shorter and nobody is trying to guess your weight.

- Martha Quillin

Still need a flu shot?

ericf123058 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:49:40 -0400

Kerr Drug is giving seasonal flu vaccinations at two locations on the state fairgrounds: The Kerr Drug dome, on the southeast side of Dorton Arena (along Hillborough Street); and next to the Holshouser Building near the Flower and Garden Show.

The vaccine is approved for people 6 months of age or older.

Vaccinations are $30 each but may be covered by your insurance provider. Kerr Drug will file claims for those who have Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the state health plan or Medicare Part B coverage. Bring your insurance card and primary care physicians’ information.

Return of the Barrel Monster

SDOvaska1 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:27:34 -0400

For those who may have missed seeing the Raleigh-born monster, now's your chance.

There are not just one, but two, Barrel Monster creations on display at this year's N.C. State Fair. The monsters were created by Joe Carnevale, an N.C. State University who was arrested in August when Raleigh police failed to find humor in the situation when Carnevale created the original Barrel Monster out of construction barrels and put it out on Hillsborough Street. He was jailed on misdemeanor charges of larceny and damage to property.

Carnevale ended up receiving community service for the incident, but not before he and the monster became a worldwide sensation over the Internet.

One monster is near Gate Nine at the state fairgrounds, while the other
is nestled amongst the garden displays behind the Flower and Garden
Show near the fairground's lake.

Neither of the two Barrel Monsters up on display are the orginial monster, which went back to Hamlett Associates, the construction company that owned the original barrels.

We're betting that some North Carolina families will be opting to have their family portraits taken with the Barrel Monster this year. Help prove us right.

We'd also like to hand it to Spencer A. Mangum, 10, of Raleigh, who chose the Barrel Monster as inspriation for his Pumpkin Monster entry into this year's pumpkin decorating contest. Spencer came if fourth, but it looked like he had some fierce competition. Check out Spencer's take on the Barrel Monster at the Exposition Center.

--- by Sarah Ovaska

Did that goat just cough?

realdog — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:58:34 -0400

The state vets are always on hand at the N.C. State Fair to take a series of steps to ensure animals on the fairgrounds are healthy.

The petting zoo population and other critters that can be touched are required to have a certificate proving they were given a clean bill of health by a veterinarian at least 30 days, and no longer than 12 months, prior to the fair.

The exhibited animals -- the cattle, sheep, pigs and the like -- that compete for blue ribbons and prizes, must pass through a veterinary inspection station at a side entrance to the fairgrounds where vets poke, prod and scrutinize the livestock in a manner only the an airport security inspector could appreciate.

The vets even check the “World’s Largest Alligator” and Sampson, “The World’s Tallest Horse.” How tall is he?

“Very,” said Karen Beck, one of a team of state veterinarians overseeing the health checks on animals at the fair, adding that Sampson’s owner shared a secret. “He said, ‘Don’t tell anyone, but his name’s not really Sampson.’”

-- Mark Johnson

A pile of piglets

realdog — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:18:55 -0400

Among the livestock and produce on display in the Expo Center, nothing draws a crowd like the baby pigs.

As an enormous sow lay on her side against the cage Friday morning, her dozen or so offspring alternately nursed, snoozed and pushed each other around.

The real crowd-pleaser, though, was the pile of piglets trying to nap in what looked like a big plastic food dish. Just when it looked like everyone was comfortable, another piglet would climb on top, wiggling into position so that another fell out the side, bringing laughter and the whirring of digital cameras.

The dozing donkeys and giant watermelons just couldn't compete with that.

- Richard Stradling

Sorry Commish, the leaf won't wait

togburn — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:52:36 -0400

Ripe tobacco waits for no man, not even N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler.

Troxler was still trying to get across the crowded fairgrounds — he claimed his golf cart wouldn't start — when it was his team's turn at the annual tobacco tying contest in Heritage Circle this afternoon.

"I told him to be here on time," said Billy Yeargin, a professor of Southern culture at Duke University and emcee of the contest. "He's disqualified."

But Troxler showed up just before the timer started and took his place as one of two "handers," taking cut leaves of Granville County tobacco off a cart and handing them to the team's "looper," who quickly tied the bundles with cotton twine onto a stick.

A dozen teams registered for the competition, which showcases a skill once known to thousands of farm workers in Eastern North Carolina.

For the competition, judges consider how long it took each time to fill the stick, the size of each bundle, the length of stem above the stick and how tight the tobacco is tied.

Troxler's team was a little slow, at a minute thirty-eight seconds. Other teams whisked through the chore twenty seconds faster.

Chilly weather doesn't deter fair crowds

MattEhlers — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:26:12 -0400

Although a drizzly, overcast day is not what fair organizers hoped for, that's what they were stuck with on Thursday afternoon when the gates opened. But it didn't keep people away.

For the second year in a row, the fair started with a preview day, with rides and exhibits opening at 3 p.m. Even in the damp chill, 37,932 people strolled through.

That beats last year's attendance of 35,215.

If the weather holds, big crowds could fill the fairgrounds this weekend. Saturday's Kellie Pickler concert is sold out, and only a few hundred tickets remain for tonight's Third Day show.

If you're thinking of attending the Blake Shelton or Eric Church concerts, don't dawdle. Tickets for those are going fast.

It's almost Preview Day!

togburn — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:18:44 -0400

The N.C. State Fair doesn't officially open until Friday. But once again this year, early birds can get a half-day peek on Thursday.

Preview Day starts at 3 p.m. Thursday, when gates open. The Midway and exhibition halls open at 3:30 p.m.

Here's the really good news -- Thursday's admission is cheaper. Adults (13-64) get in for $5 (as opposed to $7 on other days). Kids 6-12 get in for $1 (usually it is $2). As always, those 5 and younger and 65 and older get in free.

And if you like rides, you can get a $25 wristband once you enter the fair that will let you ride unlimited rides until midnight. Wristbands will only be sold from Midway ticket booths.