Happy NC State Fair Season everyone! I personally have never been to a State Fair, so I am SO excited to be going this year! However, if you're like me, you are a little wary concerning the safety of the rides, considering none of them are permanent - they are assembled and reassembled quite often, which can leave room for accidents and malfunctions despite inspections. Just 6 years ago, there was an awful incident at the fair involving a ride called the Vortex, which left 5 people injured after the ride started up again after people were trying to get out, resulting in passengers falling nearly 20 feet to the ground. This is not an uncommon occurrence either, every year around this time there are always news stories about awful incidents involving these kind of rides due to malfunctions, sometimes even resulting in deaths. Personally, I am a thrill-seeker. I was born in raised in Orlando, so I'm pretty comfortable and slightly obsessed with theme park rides due to my frequent visits to Disney and Universal. However, I'm most likely going to avoid these rides due to the sometimes unreliable nature of them. Here are some other activities that don't involve thrill rides, for others who are like me or those who maybe get a little squeamish at the thought of getting thrown upside down:
1. Eat!
If there's one thing state fairs are known for, it's the fair food, and the NC State Fair has all sorts of good things lined up. According to their website, some new foods coming this year include deep fried garlic cheese curds, chicken bacon ranch poutine, pimento cheese crab balls, and several other yummy treats that you can eat while you're walking around!
2. Visit the exhibits!
The NC State fair is considered an agricultural exposition, so naturally there are going to be plenty of exhibits showcasing different elements of agriculture. These include an Antique Farm Machinery exhibit that shows several vintage farm tools and tractors, a Flower and Garden show, and the State Fair Ark with more than 60 animals on display
3. Attractions! (The Non-Scary Kind!)
There are several rides at the fair that do not involve getting hurled into the next dimension that can actually be pretty fun and help you get into the fair spirit. Such as the Haunted House, various Glass Houses and Mazes, and Bumper Cars! You can also play the various games they will have and try to win a prize!
