By Calie Faulkner
The North Carolina State Fair has been around for many years starting in 1853, but North Carolina residents from near and far still make the trek to the state capital to enjoy rides, exhibits, food, as well as livestock and agricultural shows. Each night of the fair concludes with a fireworks show. A William Peace University student, Merica Ivey, went to the fair with her boyfriend.
“This year was my boyfriend’s first time at the fair, so I had the best time watching him get excited at everything.” said Ivey. “Also the fried Oreos are to die for; I would sit in the fair traffic for 10 hours just to get some.”
The total attendance for the fair this year was 929,748. The highest recorded attendance was in 2010 when the total was 1,091,887. Regardless of the total number of attendance, there is always a good crowd there with loved ones, friends, and family.
“I absolutely love the state fair,” said sophomore Liana Solomon. “Most people love to go to ride the rides and win prizes, but my parents and I spend our time in the exhibits and shopping areas. I love to see the culture and talents of the North Carolinians, not to mention all the things you can buy.”
The fair also offers concerts for the public to attend with the purchase of tickets and there is always one day of the week every year that people can enter the fair free if they bring a canned food item as part of a donation.