Rising steel shows construction progress!

You can see by this completed portion of the steel framework that the new Arts and Crafts Building at the WNC Agricultural Center is taking shape. The frame you see is just a portion of the building. Despite snow flurries and cold weather, our contractor is forging ahead (get the pun, steel frame, forging ahead) so this beautiful building will be ready for the 2009 N.C. Mountain State Fair.

We're about ready to break ground on the new livestock building, and improvements are underway to improve the livestock sales arena. Come on over and check out the progress!

We're more than just the fair!

Are you aware of the numerous events hosted at the WNC Agricultural Center each year? Weekly events in our various facilities range from a Cowboy Church to horse shows, childrens' clothing sales to monster truck shows, motorcycle rallies to a fiber arts festival. You can find out what's going on at the WNC Ag Center by visiting this link: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/facilities/agcenters/western/index.htm

The various buildings and open grounds may be available for your next event, family gathering, corporate rally, tractor club event, etc. Contact Robin Singleton at (828) 687-1414 x200 for more information, building rates and availability.

The Chairlift is returning!

The announcement was just made that Drew Expositions has been awarded the carnival contract to operate the rides and games for the 2009 N.C. Mountain State Fair. Many of you remember Drew from numerous years of carnival operation at the fair, and their chairlift from its one-year appearance at the fair. Drew has been saving the components of the lift, and we'll get to again enjoy an aerial view of the beautiful grounds AND get a ride from one end of the fairgrounds to the other. The lift will operate like a ride, with your ride tickets good for a lift (pardon the pun).

This will be a great way to see the new construction at the WNC Ag Center, and find out where the hot rides are before trekking about in the crowds. Stay tuned for more information about new rides and attractions coming with the Drew Exposition.

Happy New Year from the staff of the WNC Ag Center, home of the N.C. Mountain State Fair. We're excited about 2009 with new construction projects that will greatly improve our facility and add to the fair and other events on the grounds.

The new Arts and Crafts Building is under construction with footings poured and foundation work underway. This beautiful log building is going up adjacent to NC 280 and will be a great facility to showcase the mountain crafts during the fair. During non-fair times this 4,615 square-foot building will be available for rent for meetings, weddings and receptions, family reunions and more. The building should be ready just in time for the 2009 fair.

Also in the lower portion of the fairgrounds look for the new Expo Building which will house numerous livestock shows and events. This building will be erected just below the hill in the current gravel parking lot. We'll eventually move Barns E and F to this area to consolidate livestock operations and improve parking for the Davis Arena.

And speaking of the Davis Arena, we're in the planning phase of major renovations to this building which will include enclosing the open sides, adding office space and more. If this isn't good enough news, look for a facelift to the McGough Arena with improved seating, restrooms, sound and ventilation.

Contact Robin Singleton at the WNC Ag Center at (828) 687-1414 x200 if you're looking for commercial rental space with loads of free parking easily accessible from I-26, I-40 and just across the road from the Asheville Airport.

NC Mountain State Fair 2009 info

Mark your calendars for the 2009 N.C. Mountain State Fair, coming to the beautiful WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher, NC. Our fair dates for 2009 are September 11-20. This 10-day fair is the third largest fair in North Carolina and celebrates the heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including agriculture, music, crafts, art, food and more.

Bookmark the fair website, http://www.mountainfair.org/, to make sure you keep abreast of the entertainment and other announcements, or simply check back to this blog on a regular basis.

We're in the process of booking our entertainers and the carnival provider for 2009, and we'll let you know when those decisions are made. We can promise you 10 days of fun, entertainment and music. Combine that with admission price of only $5 for adults, $2 for kids and seniors, free parking and $5 concerts, and it's the entertainment bargain of the year!

If you want to find us on the map, we're at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher, NC 28732. The fairgrounds is just off I-26 and about 8 miles from I-40. We're halfway between Asheville and Hendersonville, right across from the Asheville Airport.