The North Carolina state fair kicks off at 3 p.m. Thursday, marking the start of fall activities for NC State students.
Unlimited ride wristbands are available from 3 p.m. to close today for $28. If you’re looking to save 50 percent on admission tickets, Friday is the day to go. Students can buy tickets for $5 instead of $10 if they present their student ID at the gates. An unlimited ride wristband will also be available for $34 Friday.
The N.C. State Fair continues to welcome new musical guests, new rides and new mostly deep-fried food to attract patrons each year.
More deep-fried options to satisfy your junk food dreams:
More than 20 food vendors will serve fairgoers a variety of high-calorie, fried delicacies. These include deep-fried options of the following:
-peanut butter pickles topped with bacon, chocolate sauce and powdered sugar
-bacon-wrapped Tootsie Rolls
-pimento cheese
-Pop-Tarts
-s’mores
-MoonPies stuffed with Oreos, Ho Hos and Reese’s peanut butter cups topped with cream cheese icing, chocolate and powdered sugar
If deep-fried foods don’t satisfy your sweet tooth, there are new non-fried options as well. Howling Cow will introduce a new ice cream flavor, Lemon Wafer. Carolina Crab bites, which are fair-friendly crab cakes and sweet corn in a cup, are some not-so-typical fair foods that will enhance the fair’s menu.
Thrill-seekers rejoice:
There will be plenty of opportunities to get an adrenaline rush at this year’s fair with more than 100 rides. About a dozen of them are new attractions.
The Super Cyclone roller coaster and Mighty Mouse Spinning Coaster are new thrill rides, but calmer rides like a new mid-sized Ferris wheel are available for those who aren’t seeking an adrenaline rush.
Supporting more local musicians:
After years of shrinking crowds and losing national headliners, the N.C. State Fair made the decision to only include musicians who originated or currently live in North Carolina.
More than 80 acts from myriad genres will perform during the 10-day fair.
Today, the Jon Stickley Trio, a bluegrass band, will perform at the Bluegrass Stage at Heritage Circle at 5:30 p.m. The Sidecar Social club will play old-timey jazz music at the Waterfall Stage, also at 5:30 p.m.
