Mountain State Fair fun slated Sept. 5-14
The N.C. Mountain State Fair returns to the Western N.C. Ag Center in Fletcher Sept. 5-14 with fun activities for the whole family. Fairgoers will find many of their favorite tried-and-true fair traditions along with several new grounds entertainers.
Fairgoers will need to look up to see two of the new acts at the Mountain State Fair – Stilt Puppets and K9s in Flight. The Stilt Puppets are brightly colored, intricately designed animals and mythical creatures moving and dancing through the crowd. The performers make the animal puppets move independently, while balancing the puppets and themselves on stilts.
K9s in Flight is a high-flying, feel good dog show that has been seen on The Discovery Channel, ESPN, Animal Planet, HBO and The Disney Channel. Trainer John Misita works with rescued dogs or ones adopted from shelters to perform spectacular Frisbee catches, long jumps into water, and running, jumping and obedience tricks.
“We have been blessed with back-to-back record-setting attendance years, which tells us people love the Mountain State Fair,” said Fair Manager Matt Buchanan. “We are happy to showcase the best that Western North Carolina has to offer each year along with entertainment that you won’t see everywhere.”
Returning acts include the ever-popular racing pigs and critters of Hogway Speedway, the Agricadabra Magic Show, the dynamic tumbling of Kenya Safari Acrobats, Sea Lion Splash sponsored by Bojangles, music by Leon Jacobs Jr. and the precision horseback routines set to music by Dixie Starlight Express. Also returning is the Mooternity Ward, where fair visitors can see the birth of a calf, and nightly performances of Appalachian music on the Heritage Stage.
Fair food is a popular draw and the more over-the-top and deep-fried, the better it seems visitors like it. Add a stick, and the concoction steps it up another level. Some of the items to look for on a stick at the Mountain State Fair include fried pineapple, pork chop, deep-fried Milky Way bars, cheesecake, fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich and fried pickles.
The fair offers more than $240,000 in premiums, plus bragging rights, in the agricultural, arts and crafts, cooking and handicraft competitions. Visitors will see canned goods, quilts, hand-sewn clothing, wood carvings, photography, jewelry, flowers and landscaping displays.
Organizers offer several special promotions and discount days during the fair. On Friday, Sept. 5, students K-12 get in for free until 6 p.m. Later, from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m., admission and unlimited rides is $20.
On Monday, Sept. 8, and Thursday, Sept. 11, visitors can ride all day for $20.
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, guests get free gate admission with five cans of Laura Lynn brand foods from Ingles supermarkets. Donations support the MANNA Food Bank.
On Friday, Sept. 12, there is free admission for seniors 65 and older. Later, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., admission and unlimited rides is $20.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for kids 6 to 12 years old and seniors 65 and up. A special Family Fun Pack is $35 and includes five admission tickets, tickets for four rides and vendor coupons.
For more about the fair, go to www.mountainfair.org.
