Mountain State Fair Draws 153,260 Over 10 Days

The N.C. Mountain State Fair closed its 10-day run on Sunday, September 20, at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher, with the state Department of Agriculture counting 153,260 fairgoers.

The fair ran September 11 to 20. Among this year's additions were four rides (The Dairy, a spinning ride with flying-cow cars; Horror Hotel, a walk-through haunted house; Aeromax, which lifts riders 40 feet in airplanes; and a children's ride, Crazy Cars), a butterfly experience where visitors feed the insects, an interactive kids' cooking show and several new food vendors.

By the Numbers

The agriculture department's wrap-up reports 5,688 exhibit entries in the Oakwood Homes Expo Building and 3,270 entries in livestock competitions. Horticulture entries climbed 66 percent over last year, the biggest jump in any competition.

Giving Back

Visitors donated 21,971 pounds of food on Ingles & MANNA Food Day, which the department says will create more than 18,310 meals through MANNA FoodBank. Knitters, crocheters and quilters made 1,042 caps and 140 warm covers for cancer patients through the Caps & Covers for Cancer program, supported by Novant Health and the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair, with the products distributed through Messino Cancer Center. In the fair's "Moo-ternity Ward," 12 calves were born while visitors watched, with local FFA students on hand to care for them and answer questions.

The fair also inducted two people into its Livestock Hall of Fame: Mark Mills, assistant superintendent of livestock shows, and Cameron Greene, recently retired assistant manager of the WNC Agricultural Center. Fair manager Jeff Barham said the event has become a special tradition for many families.

Next year's fair is set for September 10 to 19, 2027.

Sources: N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; WLOS.