NC Forestry Exhibit offers family fun at fair
My family lives almost an hour from the N.C. State Fair. Avoiding traffic jams is always top of mind and plays heavily on when we leave and return home. That means after arriving at the fair, we get to work tracking down specific foods and ensuring my girls can play games and enjoy rides.
Checking out exhibits is rarely on the list but this year we switched things up. Entering at Gate 8 led us directly to Heritage Circle and the Flower & Garden Show areas. Directly behind that is the N.C. Forestry Exhibit. We ended up strolling there for a while.
Although open-minded, my daughters were at first completely uninterested. They were focused on getting to their usual fun activities. Looking around and having interactive experiences ultimately changed their perspectives. We all enjoyed ourselves.
My mom and I took a picture with Smokey Bear. “Big Smokey” as he's called has been around since 1983. He's 21 feet tall and weighs more than 1,200 lbs. I've read that he talks but we didn't get a chance to hear him. Maybe next time.
In the Robert “Bob” Stanfield Natural Resources Center, we viewed soil samples from across the state. This exhibit tells what the soil in particular areas consists of and what it's used for. Information on forest health and diseases was also plentiful. There are various types of forests in North Carolina, each with unique species. Equally vast are diseases and dangers able to destroy them.
Inside the center were other displays such as N.C. Soil & Water Conservation, a Wildland Fire Support Vehicle (a jeep), and information boards about non-native invasive plants and forest insects. Staff members were present to talk about programs and answer any questions. Touring the Firewise building teaches property owners how to create a fire-resistant landscape around homes and properties.
Next, we stopped to look at forest service aircraft and equipment. Some are located by the pond and can probably be seen from the Grist Mill. My daughters wasted no time climbing onto the helicopter seats. Lastly, we observed the Frick Steam Engine in action and log cutting at the sawmill.
I really wanted to see but unfortunately missed the lumberjack shows. I was excited to watch them demonstrate their ax throwing, crosscut sawing, chainsaw carving and log rolling skills. An entertaining yet educational show about the importance of our forests and how our lifestyles affect them.
I definitely recommend a visit to the Forestry Exhibit while at the N.C. State Fair. Unless this is already an area of expertise for you, you're guaranteed to learn something new. At the very least, you'll get to hang out with Smokey Bear. He's stood there about as long as I've been alive so I'm convinced he's pretty cool!
