FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 2008

Early opening and ‘Pants Dance Revolution’ events
join military, senior days on State Fair’s special events roster

RALEIGH — Along with an extra day of fun, the N.C. State Fair is hosting a number of special events recognizing seniors, families, and servicemen and women.

The Fair’s first 11-day run will kick off with a Preview Day on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 3 p.m. to midnight. In celebration, a special offer for Midway enthusiasts will be available on preview day only. Preview Day Ride Wristbands will be available for purchase and use on Thursday, Oct. 16, and will be good for unlimited rides only during Preview Day hours. Wristbands can be purchased for $25.

While seniors ages 65 and older get in free every day of the Fair, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, they can also enjoy a free breakfast and entertainment at the Senior Citizens Fun Festival. The event, which is sponsored by Bojangles’, will take place in Dorton Arena at 9 a.m. Parking and handicap-accessible parking will be available for seniors in Carter Finley Stadium at Gate B. Specially designated trams with Senior Day banners will transport visitors from the lot to Dorton Arena.

The State Fair will pay tribute to members of the U.S. military for their service to the country on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Active duty, reserve and National Guard service members or spouses with valid military ID will be admitted free along with four guests. The day is filled with special military-themed activities and concerts by military bands from across the state on the Kitchen Craft Waterfall Stage, beginning at 9 a.m.

Also on Oct. 22, the Subway "Pants Dance Revolution" hits the Waterfall Stage at 2:30 p.m.  Five contestants who submitted video entries will be selected to perform their wildest self-choreographed dances in their wackiest pants onstage. The audience will help choose which one will win a Nintendo Wii, a year’s supply of subs and a signed pair of Jared "The Subway Guy" Fogle’s 60-inch pants. Jared’s visit to the Fair is part of Subway’s "Tour de Pants" promotion, celebrating his 10-year weight loss success.

Fairgoers can bring four cans of food to the Fair Thursday, Oct. 23, to receive free admission on Food Lion Hunger Relief Day. Hunger Relief Day at the Fair is one of the largest one-day, canned-food drives in the state, held each year to benefit the 34 N.C. counties served by the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. In the 13-year history of the event, more than 2 million pounds of food have been donated. This is Food Lion’s fifth year sponsoring the popular event.

The State Fair runs Oct. 16-26 at the State Fairgrounds. For more information or to buy advance tickets, go to www.ncstatefair.org.

-kwj, 1,2-