2008 State Fair finishes on high note with record day

The 2008 N.C. State Fair ended on a sunny Sunday with total attendance of 765,067.

“Sunday’s attendance of 101,775 was a record for the final day, and that was a great way to end the 2008 State Fair,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said. “Even though we had some rainy days and cool temperatures during the Fair, folks still came out and had a great time.”

Here are some highlights of the 2008 State Fair:

• The Fair opened a day earlier this year, on Thursday, Oct. 16. It was the first time since 1986 that the Fair added a day.
• The Midway featured 114 rides, the most ever.
• In addition to Sunday’s attendance record, the State Fair posted its largest-ever crowd for a Tuesday, 71,199, which beat the previous record of 69,817, set just last year.
• The Fair collected used vegetable oil to convert into biodiesel for use at agricultural research stations operated by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Organizers were anticipating collecting about 8,000 gallons of used vegetable oil.
• Christian rapper Toby Mac performed a sold-out show in Dorton Arena on Oct. 18.
• The N.C. State Fair was the first state fair ever played by celebrity chef Bobby Flay.