Cardinal Gibbons, Knightdale and Broughton high schools
win N.C. State Fair’s first ‘Farm Animal Frenzy’ contest

RALEIGH – Normally, a prize-winning rooster at the N.C. State Fair is rewarded for its gleaming feathers, haughty strut and perfect physique. In the Fair’s Farm Animal Frenzy contest, however, Cardinal Gibbons High School’s first-place rooster won for its striped flip-flops, spotted blue feathers and the fireworks on its backside.

This winning entry was one of 18 larger-than-life fiberglass roosters, horses, cows and pigs decorated by area high school art classes and clubs as part of first-ever “Farm Animal Frenzy” contest. The giant farm animals will be on display at the Fair, which runs Oct. 12-21 at the State Fairgrounds.

Cardinal Gibbons’ art students, led by teacher Rebecca Grant Dason, received $1,000 for their bright blue “tourist” rooster, complete with flip-flops and a camera dangling from its neck. Covered in iconic State Fair images of Dorton Arena, deep-fried Twinkies and a Ferris wheel, the rooster even warns fairgoers to “Chick it or ticket” on their way to the Fair.

Knightdale High School’s whimsical “roller cow-ster” earned $750 in second place. The art students, along with teacher Dan DeProspero, turned the life-size cow into an exhilarating midway attraction, complete with roller coaster tracks under the animal’s hooves and a papier-mâché boy enjoying the ride on top.

In third place, Nancy Carty’s art students at Broughton High School received $500 for their painted horse’s representation of the two sides of the State Fair: a celebration of agriculture in the urban setting of Raleigh. The grey skyline of downtown Raleigh and the geometric metal shapes of the midway rides contrast with colorful stalks of corn and pumpkins.

Leesville Road High School’s brick-covered cow and Sanderson High School’s purple and orange rooster received honorable mentions. All participating schools received $200. Prize money will support the school’s art programs.

Voting is still open for the “People’s Choice Award,” which will be announced Thursday, Oct. 18, during the Fair. The public is invited to check out the animals during the Fair and vote on their favorite animal at the Fair Web site, www.ncstatefair.org, until midnight Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Participating schools, and the farm animal each decorated, are: Apex High School, rooster; Athens Drive High School, pig; Broughton High School, horse; Cardinal Gibbons High School, rooster; Cary Academy, pig; Cary High School, horse; East Wake High School, horse; Garner Senior High School, rooster; Holly Springs High School, cow; Knightdale High School, cow; Leesville Road High School, cow; Middle Creek High School, horse; Millbrook High School, rooster; Panther Creek High School, horse; Sanderson High School, cow; Southeast Raleigh High School, pig; Wakefield High School, cow; and Wake Forest-Rolesville High School, pig.

For more information, visit the State Fair Web site at www.ncstatefair.org.

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Cardinal Gibbons, Knightdale and Broughton high schools win N.C. State Fair’s first ‘Farm Animal Frenzy’ contest

Cardinal Gibbons, Knightdale and Broughton high schools
win N.C. State Fair’s first ‘Farm Animal Frenzy’ contest