Mountain State Fair set for Sept. 9-18 in Fletcher

New things are in store for the 2011 Mountain State Fair, which runs Sept. 9-18 at the Western N.C. Ag Center in Fletcher.

The Mountain State Fair will serve as the official grand opening of the newly renovated Davis Event Center. This 75,000-square-foot multipurpose building will hold commercial and community exhibits during the fair and will house additional restroom facilities for fairgoers. The main arena is paved for easier walking, and new landscaping and sidewalks were installed between the Davis, Virginia Boone and Expo buildings.

Fairgoers will find exciting new grounds entertainment to go with plenty of their fair favorites. The Zerbini Family Circus offers up family- friendly fun under the big top with an array of acrobats, trapeze artists, daredevils, circus clowns, dancers, jugglers and animals. The Kenya Safari Acrobats will amaze with their high-energy show. End-over-end flips, spectacular displays of balance and strength, and choreographed jump roping are all signatures of this troupe, whose members serve as artistic ambassadors for Kenya. Fairgoers will want to catch this daily show in the Davis Event Center.

Sept. 9-13, Josh Knotts & Lea will perform extreme illusions and escapes on the Got to Be NC Stage. The magic show features a mix of illusions, theater and comedy that will have fairgoers asking, "How'd they do that?"

Sept. 14-18, Mike Bishop, a comedy hypnotist, will entertain fairgoers on the Got to Be NC Stage. Bishop encourages audience participation and through the power of hypnotic suggestions he will have people impersonating Elvis and doing other funny skits.

Drew Exposition returns to provide the thrilling midway rides and games for fairgoers.

The Bojangles Music Stage will host local and regional bands and performers for daily shows. In addition, the Mountain Music Competition that runs Sept. 8-17 offers more great entertainment.

Fairgoers can purchase advance tickets through Sept. 8 at participating Ingles stores, the Western N.C. Ag Center and the Western N.C. Farmers Market in Asheville. Adult admission is $6 in advance versus $7 at the gate. Child and senior admission is $2 in advance compared to $3 at the gate.

For more on the 2011 Mountain State Fair, go to www.mountainfair.org.