FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2009

2009 N.C. State Fair advance ticket sales begin online Aug. 3
New Early Bird Special offers extra incentives through Sept. 30

RALEIGH — Ticket buyers will have more options to save when advance tickets for the 2009 N.C. State Fair go on sale online Monday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m. This year, a new Early Bird Special has been added to discounts on the advance admission and ride tickets when fairgoers purchase at www.ncstatefair.org.

Buying advance tickets will save $2 per adult admission ticket and $8 per ride sheet. Advance admission tickets will cost $5 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-12. Adult admission tickets for groups of 40 or more will cost $4.75. An 18-ticket ride sheet will cost $10 in advance.

With the Early Bird Special, ticket buyers can earn up to three free adult admission tickets based on the total purchase amount before convenience fees. “Spending between $40 and $100 earns one free ticket,” said State Fair Manager Wesley Wyatt. “If you spend between $100.01 and $200, you receive two free tickets. Purchases over $200 will get you three free tickets.”

Admission, ride, grandstand and Dorton Arena concert tickets apply toward the purchase total. The Early Bird Special lasts until Sept. 30, and is good for online sales only.

“We feel that the State Fair is already one of the best entertainment values in the state, and we hope that our online Early Bird Special and other discounts can make it an even greater value,” Wyatt said.

Visa and MasterCard payments are accepted for online purchases. Completed transactions receive print-at-home tickets. Ride coupons printed at home must be redeemed for ride tickets at the Fair. Each online ticket will be assessed a convenience fee, which ranges from 5 to 15 percent.

N.C. State Fair advance tickets will be available at area retail locations beginning Oct. 1. Go to www.ncstatefair.org for more information. The 2009 N.C. State Fair will be held Oct. 15-25 at the fairgrounds.

-pmj-