What do YOU want for the Fair? The Department of Agriculture wants to know

Posted: February 1, 2009

I know it's February, but there are still things to talk about when it comes to the North Carolina State Fair. That's because the Fair, with its new expanded online presence, is having meetings, planning -- and requesting your ideas!

I dropped by the blog, Deep Fried @ the N.C. State Fair, and saw the Fair folks were asking for feedback both on themes for the 2009 Fair and for ideas for bands to bring to Dorton Arena. I don't know about Dorton Arena, but bring back the USAF's Blue Aces! I missed them last year.

(Speaking of the Blue Aces, the band's album came out in February and is now available for free download.)

If you want to give suggestions or feedback, the Fair folks ask that you use their blog to leave comments, or send messages to the Twitter account ( http://twitter.com/NCStateFair ).

So how is the social media expansion going? Karlie Justus, Public Information Officer for N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, told me that as far as she knew the NC State Fair was the first Fair to have a Twitter account (though there are others now, including NDStateFair and MiamiDadeFair.) Facebook has been a real success too; the NC State Fair has about 1,700 friends and the page is still getting tagged pictures from the 2008 Fair!

Alas, I could not get Karlie to give me any information on the 2009 Fair. She did confirm that the GreenNC exhibit will be back for its second year, but aside from that planning is in the very early stages. Watch the Twitter account and, of course, the NC State Fair blog, for upcoming announcements.

30 Comments

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I think the unlimited ride bracelets would be great.

Even better, there should be a weight and or age limit for people that want to wear really tight pants. Maybe a basic measurement like they have for rides: "You have to be less than this wide to wear tight pants".

Timbo
February 2, 2009 8:37 p.m.

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Lower food prices? More free items from companies.

jobchick2004
February 2, 2009 4:56 p.m.

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unlimited ride bracelets for more than opening day so that kids can actually enjoy the things at the fair especially younger children. Also, if it is in the kiddie section, make it where the younger kids can actually ride - height restrictions on a merry go round even with an adult! Really??

katizs
February 2, 2009 3:28 p.m.

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I only went because I got in free after working our company booth. I wouldn't go otherwise; too expensive.

Here kitty kitty
February 2, 2009 2:35 p.m.

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Went in a wheel chair with a broken foot; my brother pushed me all over the place.

We were delighted to learn that I didn't have to pay admittance. Didn't know that.

Appreciated it greatly.

Would like to see free admittance for those under and over a certain age.

God bless.

Rev. RB

Spirit Warrior Woman - Rev. RB
February 2, 2009 2:27 p.m.

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I would love to see unlimited ride bracelets as well, even if it meant that we had to pay $50 or $100 per ticket. $1 per ticket isn't bad, but all rides take 4 or 5 tickets and some took 6! I wanted to ride the old fashioned "fun house" ride where two people sit in the car with my daughter. The ride literally last under a minute, none of the scary stuff inside worked and it cost $8 for both of us to ride the ride.

That was the first time I had been to the fair since I was a small child, and I won't be going back anytime soon.

DougWare.NET
February 2, 2009 2:09 p.m.

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I went to the fair last year with my sister, wife, and cousin. Fortunately we only needed two tickets so the prices didn't seem too bad to us. Credit for this post goes to Jeff Foxworthy.

Justin T.
February 2, 2009 2:09 p.m.

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Better Security at the entrance gates!!!!!!! How about wrist bands instead of those God awful high priced tickets. Also, $1 and $2 games. They would get more money from me than they did this past year if the games were cheaper. I love the fair but it is getting LESS family friendly with the prices.

AARRGGH
February 2, 2009 1:45 p.m.

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More fried foods. There just aren't enough deep fried foods at the fair.

canesnut
February 2, 2009 1:30 p.m.

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For those of you who no longer attend the fair I would like to personally thank you and ask that you each do your part in discouraging others from attending as well. Thanks!