Ordering Advance Tix online??? Final days approaching!!!

If you're into e-commerce and want to order your advance sale, discounted gate and ride tickets using our secure web site, the clock is ticking!!! You can order on-line through Monday, August 31. After that, you can make a trip to any Ingles store, the WNC Farmers Market or the WNC Ag Center to buy tickets through Sept. 10. Ride tix are half-price in advance, and gate tix are discounted, too. So like Marshall Mike says, "Giddy-up Y'all and get those discount tickets now!"

Mountain Heritage preserved at the Fair

If you thought the fair was only wild rides, funnel cakes, and farm animals, then take a second look. Western North Carolina mountain heritage is bountiful at the Mountain State Fair and nowhere is that more evident than with our arts and crafts and competitive exhibits. Take some time to browse the vendors in the new log cabin building and you’ll see an assortment of beautifully hand crafted items from jewelry to rugs. And so much of what you’ll see is representative of western NC culture and history and made by local artisans.

When you finish with the arts and crafts, be sure to check out all of the competitive exhibits in the new livestock exhibition building. With competitions in categories such as photography, clothes, painting, quilting, wood carving, and horticulture products, you’re sure to find something that catches your eye. My personal favorites are the giant vegetables and the wood carvings. And I guarantee that you’ll be amazed by the talent that exists in western North Carolina, especially from our younger participants.

So this year at the fair, be sure to take full advantage of everything the fair has to offer. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Casey Allen, Media Specialist

It's a Stampede!!!

Late-night fun returns to the 2009 N.C. Mountain State Fair on the second Friday of the fair, Sept. 18, when the Friday Night Stampede kicks off at 9 p.m. and runs until 1 a.m. This special admission event will feature unlimited rides and gate admission for only $18. Fairgoers may also purchase regular admission and ride tickets during this timeframe as well.
More information on the fair and the Friday Night Stampede is available at www.mountainfair.org. Tickets for the Stampede will only be available the night of the 18th at all fair entrances.

Remember Babe Malloy's Drive-In???

Such an important part of the fair every year is food. Each year patrons flock to the WNC Ag Center to satisfy their cravings for deep fried, hmm, well, just about deep fried anything. Or maybe it’s ribbon fries, or corn dogs, or giant turkey legs they seek. Either way, they come hungry.

Well, that’s the great thing about the fair. There is plenty of food to go around, and there’s lots to choose from too. In addition to the hot dogs, burgers, pizza, and fries, you’ll find authentic Greek, Cajun and Mexican dishes, emu burgers, edible bread bowl soups, gourmet coffee, homemade ice cream, and even homemade sodas (you’ve got to try the cream soda).

And this year you can even get a classic chipped ham sandwich—longtime Buncombe County residents will remember these from Babe Malloy’s drive-in. Ahh, the good ole’ days.

So the most important thing to remember when coming to this year’s Mountain State Fair is...you better come hungry! Because in order to enjoy the full fair experience, you gotta eat the food. I know I will. See you there. Casey Allen, Media Specialist

Where's the beef? (cooking contest, that is)

One of my favorite things at the Mountain State Fair is the cooking competitions. I don’t know if it’s because of the creative cooks we have in western NC that whip up some unbelievable dishes or if it’s just because I like to eat so much. But one contest to keep your eye on this year is the NC Cattleman’s Beef Council Recipe Contest.

I’m excited about it for a couple of reasons. One, it’s new to the fair this year. All the usual suspects are back including Spam and North Carolina pork, blueberries, pecans, apples, and eggs, but this is the first time we’ve had beef (at least that I’m aware of). Two, although I enjoy a nice juicy steak, I rarely get to eat beef, mostly because my wife doesn’t eat red meat. So I’m excited to see what sizzling dishes our participants create, especially since I know how good our cooks are in the mountains and I’ve seen and tasted their creativity myself. So who knows what we’ll see. The contest is open to any kind of beef in any kind of dish, as long as its “quick and easy” and the main ingredient is beef.

And here’s a tip for anyone interested in entering the beef recipe contest, or any recipe contest for that matter...check out NCFarmFresh.com to see if there is a farmer near you who grows or raises the ingredients you need. Good luck to everyone who decides to participate. My mouth is watering already! Casey Allen, Media Specialist

Would you recognize a band organ???

When Drew Expositions brings the carnival midway to the 2009 NC Mountain State Fair, they'll bring a completely renovated band organ that occupies a full tractor trailer. This Ruth & Sohn pipe band organ, made in Germany in 1892, is a treat for the eyes and ears. While it's playing, listen for the organ, drums, cymbals, whistles and other instruments sound off while figurines dance and twirl to the music.

Shhhhh---I have a secret!!!!

There's a great competition that most fairgoers miss each year due to the competition site. It's the llama competitions held in the covered ring behind the McGough Arena on the opening weekend of the fair. The llama competitions start on Saturday morning 9/12 at 9 a.m. and continue most of the day. They resume on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. This is a Level II ALSA show and a southeast regional qualifier, so look for llamas from multiple states in competition. A total of $6,000 in prize money will be up for grabs. So do a little trekking down the hill behind the McGough Arena and see these magnificent animals!

Friday Night Stampede to Return in 2009

We all know Friday nights in September are high school football nights. So we've brought back a special event for you football fans!!! Welcome back Friday Night Stampede on Friday, Sept. 18th only from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. And $18 not only gets you unlimited rides, it gets you in the gate, too! Buy your Stampede tickets that night and "ride like you mean it!" If you're not a rider, regular fair admission rates are still available during that time frame.