Source: NCDA&CS, 9/6/18

The 2018 N.C. Mountain State Fair kicks off its 25th year this Friday at 9 a.m. The opening weekend includes special promotions, competitions and entertainment.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, fair manager Matt Buchanan and other dignitaries will cut the ribbon signaling the official start of the 2018 fair. The Opening Ceremony will take place at the Heritage Stage inside Heritage Circle Friday at noon. The event is open to the public.

“We can’t wait to open the gates and celebrate our 25th year,” fair manager Matt Buchanan said. “Whether you’re interested in rides, music or livestock competitions, we’ve got something for you to enjoy every moment during opening weekend and throughout the 10 days the fair is open.”

Promotions
Advance tickets will be unavailable after Thursday, but fair-goers can save money Friday with two special promotions. Students in grades K-12 get free admission from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. That night, ride lovers can save with the fair’s popular Friday Night Frenzy promotion. For just $28, fair visitors can purchase a combined ticket that includes both gate admission to the fair and unlimited rides from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. While the unlimited rides are only available after 9 p.m., visitors can purchase the Friday Night Frenzy combined ticket anytime on Friday.

Competitions
During opening weekend, guests can watch livestock competitors show off their rabbits, dairy goats, llamas and beef cattle. Poultry, turkey and other livestock also will be on display. Livestock shows will be held in the Livestock Sales Arena, McGough Arena and barns E and F throughout the weekend. All competitions are open to the public.

The fair hosts two flower and garden shows during its 10-day run. The first show will be held this weekend in the Expo Building. While in the building, visitors can also see arts exhibits, woodcarvings, preserved foods, quilts and horticultural exhibits. Cooking contests will be held for tomatoes, trout and beef dishes. Visitors can view the entries and the ribbon presentations in the Davis Event Center throughout the weekend.

Another fair tradition, the annual Clogging Championship, will begin Friday at 7 p.m. and will continue Saturday starting at 9 a.m. Individual acts, duets and teams will take the stage in the Got To Be NC Tent and compete in both traditional and contemporary dances. The N.C. Mountain State Fair Pageant also returns to Heritage Stage with titles being awarded for Little Miss and Master North Carolina. This year’s pageant will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. with a country western theme.

Entertainment
There is plenty of entertainment for fairgoers to enjoy during opening weekend. Favorites from last year like the Hogway Speedway pig races, Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist, Kenya Safari Acrobats and Leon Jacobs will return this year.

Fair-goers also can enjoy several new entertaining acts. Joining the entertainment lineup this year are Majestik Spectacular, a acrobatic motorcycle stunt show; Extreme Illusions & Escapes, with Las Vegas style illusions; and the Human Cannonball, David

“The Bullet” Smith, who will be shot across the Midway daily.
Fair organizers have enhanced the Mountain Music Festival at this year’s fair. Throughout the fair, 43 local and regional acts will perform on Heritage Stage. Musical acts like the Virginia Dare Trio, Rhiannon & the Relics, The Waymasters and Summer Brooke and the Mountain Faith Band will take the stage during opening weekend. All entertainment is included with the price of admission.

The 25th N.C. Mountain State Fair runs Sept. 7-16 at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher. The fair’s silver anniversary will celebrate the people, agriculture, art and traditions of Western North Carolina. Advance tickets are available through Sept. 6 at the WNC Agricultural Center, the WNC Farmers Market and at participating Ingles stores. More information is available at www.mountainfair.org.