N.C. State Fair To Run 10 Days
- Publication: The Charlotte Observer
- Date: 1986-10-17
- Author: Deborah Hales
- Page: 1E
- Language: English
Places everybody.
The stage is set for the N.C. State Fair to open at 9 a.m. today, with the N.C. State University Marching Band performing at the opening ceremony.
More than 700,000 people are expected at the fair, open for 10 days for the first time in its history.
"Going to a 10-day state fair was a natural enough outgrowth of the expansion of attendance," said Agriculture Commissioner Jim Graham. In 1975 the fair drew 615,588; last year, it drew 655,912 despite four days of rain.
An increase from nine days to 10 is not the only first at the fair.
Others include the world's largest Ferris wheel from Holland, a double-deck merry-go-round from Italy and a Dr. Who "experience theater on wheels," with such props as villains and monsters from the 23-year-old science fiction television show.
The BBC exhibit travels in a replica of TARDIS, the doctor's time-traveling craft shaped like an old English police call box.
On the TV show, Dr. Who, a 900-year old doctor bored with his life on the super-advanced planet of Gallifrey, roams through space and time in the temperamental, unreliable TARDIS. The show airs in Charlotte at 11 p.m. weekdays on WUNG (channel 58) and 10 p.m. Saturdays on WNSC (channel 30).
Other exhibits will show fairgoers what the state's agricultural heritage is all about, using the theme "Agriculture — Three Times a Day."
Sheep, cattle, goats, swine, poultry and rabbits are among exhibits, as well as arts and photography, handcrafts and hobbies, 4-H exhibits and antique farm machinery.
At the Village of Yesteryear, artisans from the Appalachian area will demonstrate and exhibit crafts, and farm animals will be shown in their natural habitat in the Children's Barnyard.
Scheduled to appear at the Dorton arena are: today, Sawyer Brown; Saturday, Forester Sisters; Sunday, Jerry Clower, The Lewis Family; Monday, Bellamy Brothers; Tuesday, Lee Greenwood; Wednesday, Marie Osmond and Dan Seals; Thursday, The Drifters; next Friday, Jerry Reed; Oct. 25, Tanya Tucker, and Oct. 26, Charley Pride.
The 7 p.m. shows are free on a first-come-first-served basis. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Other entertainment includes the Diamonds performing at an outdoor stage at 2, 3:30 and 5 p.m. daily, today to Tuesday. The Super Grit Cowboy Band will perform at the same times Wednesday to Oct. 26. The Bill Lyerly Band will play at the R.J. Reynolds Caravan several times daily.
At the 1986 Senior Citizens Fun Festival, 10:30 a.m. Monday, cash prizes of $25 will be awarded in the Charleston, twist and waltz dance categories. Winners in the glamor, N.C. agriculture and comic hats categories will also receive $25.
Grandstand shows include a tractor pull at 5 p.m. Sunday and noon and 6 p.m. Monday. An auto thrill show will be at 2, 5 and 8 p.m. today and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; noon and 6 p.m. Monday; 3 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, and 2 and 5 p.m. Wednesday. A demolition derby will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The Bull and Bareback Riding Challenge will be at 2 and 8 p.m. Thursday, next Friday and Oct. 25. A mud bog monster truck show and auto thrill show will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 26.
Grandstand shows are $4.
IF YOU'RE GOING
To reach the fairgrounds from Charlotte, take 145 to U.S. 70, then take U.S. 1 and U.S. 64 to Hillsborough Street Exit. If traveling on 1-40, take N.C. State Fairgrounds exit. If traveling on U.S. 64, take U.S. 1 north to Hillsborough Street exit.
The N.C. State Fair is at 1024 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raleigh. Hours: 9 a.m.-midnight Mondays-Saturdays and noon-midnight Sundays today-Oct. 26. (Some shows may start earlier than 9 a.m.) Free parking. Admission: $4 (ago 6-12, $1; over age 64 and under age 6 free). Details: (919) 821-, fair hours
Disclaimer: These citations are created on-the-fly using primitive parsing techniques. You should double-check all citations. Send feedback to whovian@cuttingsarchive.org
- APA 6th ed.: Hales, Deborah (1986-10-17). N.C. State Fair To Run 10 Days. The Charlotte Observer p. 1E.
- MLA 7th ed.: Hales, Deborah. "N.C. State Fair To Run 10 Days." The Charlotte Observer [add city] 1986-10-17, 1E. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Hales, Deborah. "N.C. State Fair To Run 10 Days." The Charlotte Observer, edition, sec., 1986-10-17
- Turabian: Hales, Deborah. "N.C. State Fair To Run 10 Days." The Charlotte Observer, 1986-10-17, section, 1E edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=N.C. State Fair To Run 10 Days | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/N.C._State_Fair_To_Run_10_Days | work=The Charlotte Observer | pages=1E | date=1986-10-17 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=22 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=N.C. State Fair To Run 10 Days | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/N.C._State_Fair_To_Run_10_Days | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=22 April 2025}}</ref>
