FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, SEPT. 14, 2012

CONTACT:

Sarah Ray, public information officer N.C. State Fair 919-839-4527

Expanded Youth Day programs part of special events lineup
at 2012 N.C. State Fair

RALEIGH — Teachers and school groups visiting the fair for Subway Youth Celebration Day will notice even more activities on the Kitchen Craft Waterfall Stage. The changes are part of the full lineup of special-event days planned for the 2012 N.C. State Fair.

While the fair doesn’t officially open until Friday, Oct. 12, visitors can enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells of the fair starting at 3 p.m. on Preview Day, Thursday, Oct. 11. Attendees also can take advantage of a discounted gate admission price of $6 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-12. Powers Great American Midways will offer an unlimited-ride wristband for $28, which is good for unlimited rides from 3:30 p.m. to midnight on Preview Day only. Wristbands will be available at ticket booths on the fairgrounds and cannot be purchased in advance.

School groups and youth organizations can enjoy the expanded offerings planned for Subway Youth Celebration Day Monday, Oct. 15. With smaller crowds and less traffic, the day is ideal for school and youth groups looking to enjoy the fair at a slower pace. Larger groups with 40 or more also can take advantage of group rates and additional planned educational activities.

Subway will pass out coupons to all attendees at the gate. In addition, youth can stop by the Field of Dreams to pick up a free GrowUms gardening kit while supplies last. Activities are planned across the fairgrounds, but will be centered on the Kitchen Craft Waterfall Stage starting at noon. The entertainment lineup includes music, FFA speakers, Zumba dancing and the Animal Olympics presented by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Seniors can enjoy a free breakfast and dance the morning away at the Senior Citizens Fun Festival Tuesday, Oct. 16. The annual event, part of Senior Citizens Day at the fair, will be held in Dorton Arena from 9 to 11 a.m. Special parking and tram services are available for Senior Citizens Day.

During Military Appreciation Day on Wednesday, Oct. 17, the fair will honor U.S. service personnel with special entertainment on the Kitchen Craft Waterfall Stage. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will be at Gates 1, 2, 8 and 9 collecting personal care products, snacks and other supplies for active military serving overseas. Visitors also can write letters to service personnel at Gate 8 and the Waterfall Stage.

Food Lion Hunger Relief Day is Thursday, Oct. 18. Fairgoers can bring four cans of Food Lion brand food to the fair in exchange for one free admission ticket on Hunger Relief Day. All food collected during the event is donated to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, which serves a 34-county area surrounding Raleigh. Since 1997, the event has collected more than 2.8 million pounds of food.

The N.C. State Fair will be held at the State Fairgrounds Oct. 11-21. Discount tickets are available online. Adult tickets are $6 in advance, $8 at the gate. Children’s tickets are $2 in advance or $3 at the gate. Children under 6 and seniors 65 and older get in free. Fairgoers can earn up to three free adult admission tickets by taking advantage of the Early Bird Special through Sept. 26. Ride sheets also can be purchased in advance for $10 for a sheet of 18 tickets. For more information on this year’s fair, or to buy tickets, go to www.ncstatefair.org.

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