The 2002 North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh will take place Oct. 18-27. Visitors can expect “blue ribbon fun” according to the fair’s slogan for this year. A new and improved Kiddieland should be a favorite with both children andparents according to Agriculture Commissioner Meg Scott Phillips. “We are excited about this new area for children. I think that parents are going to appreciate the location and the atmosphere that is created with Kiddieland,” Phillips said.

Fairgoers will also find new amusement rides due to a new amusement provider. Amusements of America will begin its inaugural operations with the fair this year. This year will mark the second anniversary of the county fair showcase. Of the 49 county fairs across North Carolina, 27 will bring their best youth exhibits to compete for cash and prizes. Other activities include family favorites like the Stoney Roberts’ demolition derby, petting zoo and folk festival. In the Holshouser building, fairgoers can find the Village of Yesteryear.Handmade items, such as furniture and toys, can be seen as they are made by crafters dressed in clothing of their particular period in “yesteryear.” Many craftsmen and craftswomen use skills that have been passed down for generations.

Susan Hanson practices the art of origami, which she began eight years ago. “Many people think origami is solely an Asian craft. However, many places in the world have their own unique folds, including Europe and the United States. My family often comes up with new designs and styles to share with fairgoers,” Hanson said.

There will be music performances ranging from the Irish Spirit of the Dance to Keith Henderson’s Elvis Presley tribute show, with lots of variety in between.

Dru Harrison, a junior at UNCW, plans to go this year. “I like to see all the exhibits, the junkfood, like funnel cake and the supposed freak shows,” she said. “It’s something different and I like riding the rides.”

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Winn-Dixie Day at the fair. Started in 1992, Winn-Dixie Day was established to collect Thrifty Maid brand canned goods for the hungry. The collected food is distributed by the N.C. Food Bank to 720 food pantries, food banks and shelters across 34 counties. Over the past nine years, this event has collected over 1.6 million pounds of food.

The State Fair was founded in October of 1853 by the State AgriculturalSociety. The fair was based on agriculture, as it still is today. The original price of admission for an adult was 25 cents. A buggy was charged 50 cents and a carriage was charged one dollar. Today it is five dollars in advance and six dollars at the gate. Estimated attendance for the first fair was between four and six thousand people. In 2001, attendance was 695,177.