FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
CONTACT: Tamara Crain, entries coordinator
N.C. Mountain State Fair
(828) 687-1414, ext. 221; tamara.crain@ncagr.gov
Mountain State Fair’s heritage crafters will have new home
FLETCHER – When N.C. Mountain State Fair visitors check out the mountain heritage crafts area at this year’s fair, they will notice big changes in the venue. Chief among them is the construction of a permanent freestanding exhibit building.
The log-cabin style building fits the Mountain Heritage Village theme, and provides a climate-controlled space to house crafters and their wares. Fairgoers will still find plenty of their crafting favorites, including a beekeeping display and beeswax candlemaker, a potter, wood turner, rug braider, stained glass maker, a silver and goldsmith, quilter, basketmaker, porcelain-doll maker and more.
A molasses maker, blacksmith and soap maker will be outside the building displaying those time-honored skills. The crafters will be at the fair from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Weekday hours are 3 -10 p.m.
In addition to old-time crafts, the Mountain Heritage Village features a lot of popular exhibits, including Chainsaw Dan, Rusty’s Trailblazing Chuckwagon, an antique tractor and farm equipment display, Wild West Follies and music.
Chainsaw Dan returns to the Mountain State Fair to carve bears, eagles and fish from large hunks of wood with a chainsaw. Rusty’s Trailblazing Chuckwagon show features campfire cooking and storytelling, and the Wild West Follies provides an old-style Western sideshow complete with trick roping, whip cracking and knife throwing demonstrations. Shows are held daily at various times.
Antique tractors, engines, farm equipment and toys from the collection of Apple Country Tractor Club members will also be on display in the Mountain Heritage Village.
The Heritage Stage will host the Mountain Music Competition Sept. 11–19 beginning at 7 p.m., and the Gospel Singing Competition Sept. 12 at noon. Visitors can pull up a seat and enjoy the talents of local singers and groups.
The Mountain State Fair runs Sept. 11-20 at the WNC Ag Center. Advance tickets are on sale now in Ingles stores, at the WNC Ag Center and at the WNC Farmers Market in Asheville. For more, go to www.mountainfair.org or call (828) 687-1414.
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