ASHEVILLE – On the first morning of the N.C. Mountain State Fair, the fog lifted, the sun shined, and a refreshing brisk air drifted through the area ― the early signs of fall ― as fairgoers lined up for entry and tickets.

Sept. 6 marked the kickoff of the 30th year of the event, running Sept. 6-15 at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher.

People of all ages and backgrounds came from near and far on opening day. It was also one of two Student Days that allowed K-12 students free entry until 6 p.m.

Fairgoers shared their favorite new attractions with the Citizen Times between oohing and awing over the livestock, and regaining balance after taking a high-flying twirl through the air on one of the Midway rides.:

First-time rider

David and Kayla Stapp of Hendersonville have attended the fair with their family for the past six years. This year, they brought their baby, Emerie, and three-year-old son, Grayson.

“He’s finally old enough where he can ride a good amount of the rides,” David Stapp said.

David and Kayla Stapp and their children, Emerie (left) and Grayson (right). view the livestock at the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Sept. 6, 2024.

David and Kayla Stapp and their children, Emerie (left) and Grayson (right). view the livestock at the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Sept. 6, 2024.

Generations of fair fun

Cyndel Maggard of Black Mountain wandered the fair with her mother, husband and their three young children. She has attended every year since she was born, and now returns for her kids.

“They love to see the animals and the rides. We love to eat the food,” she said. “I love to eat the deep-fried Oreos.”

Maggard said she was excited to check out the new Food Truck Alley and planned to find a funnel cake.

She said they like attending on Student Day. The next Student Day during which K-12 students enter for free until 6 p.m. is Sept. 13.

Beautiful views, adorable animals

Dana Wilson of Fletcher attends the fair yearly with her friends.

“I love the community. I love being able to ride the chair lifts. I love the animals – the whole experience — the food,” Wilson said.

Dana Wilson (right) and her friends, Sheri McKeon (left) and Jamie Cain (center), enjoy riding the chair lift over the fair and visiting the livestock at the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Sept. 6, 2024.Dana Wilson (right) and her friends, Sheri McKeon (left) and Jamie Cain (center), enjoy riding the chair lift over the fair and visiting the livestock at the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Sept. 6, 2024.

Dana Wilson (right) and her friends, Sheri McKeon (left) and Jamie Cain (center), enjoy riding the chair lift over the fair and visiting the livestock at the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Sept. 6, 2024.

Wilson’s favorite fair food is funnel cakes for the simple reason that “they’re amazing.”

The livestock, particularly the new babies with “soft ears” and the cows, are another draw.

Wilson said she rides the chair lift, which extends over the fair, so she can take in the sights before taking part in everything below.

“It’s a beautiful view. A must-have experience,” she said.

Playing around

Mary Paredes, a worker at Zerbini Novelty, prepares to sell toys to children.

“We get to come out here and play with kids and play with bubbles and play swords and let them take home novelties,” she said.

Zerbini Novelty, her husband’s family business, has traveled to fairs across the East Coast and beyond for 40 years. The company also hosts the circus at the N.C. Mountain State Fair.

Mary Paredes, a worker at Zerbini Novelty, prepares to sell toys to children at the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Sept. 6, 2024.Mary Paredes, a worker at Zerbini Novelty, prepares to sell toys to children at the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Sept. 6, 2024.

Mary Paredes, a worker at Zerbini Novelty, prepares to sell toys to children at the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Sept. 6, 2024.

“It’s amazing to get to travel and meet new people,” she said. “Every fair is different and has something new and you get to meet all kinds of new people and see all kinds of new sights. It’s fun.”

Fair food galore

Bryan Hensley of Asheville said he has attended the fair off and on for 20 years.

He and his group are most excited to dig into fair food, especially a bucket of fries.

“I just had some ice cream, and I’d like some more later,” Hensley said.

Goldfish games

Amber Reis and her daughter Ripley, of Asheville, played a game that challenged them to toss a ball into one of the small goldfish bowls to win a live goldfish.

The toddler stood on the counter and threw one of the balls into a bowl.

“I win a goldfish!” Ripley Reis shouted, holding up her prize.

Amber Reis and her daughter, Ripley, celebrate winning a goldfish on the Midway at the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Sept. 6, 2024.Amber Reis and her daughter, Ripley, celebrate winning a goldfish on the Midway at the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Sept. 6, 2024.

Amber Reis and her daughter, Ripley, celebrate winning a goldfish on the Midway at the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Sept. 6, 2024.

Amber Reis said she’s attended the fair each year for the past decade, now bringing her two young children.

“We want to go see the swimming, racing pig and play all the games and win all the prizes, and eat all of the yummy foods,” Amber Reis said. The family planned to go on rides, including the Ferris Wheel, and see the livestock.

Introducing Cyclops

Tina Phillips of Saluda, South Carolina, took a break from working concessions to ride the Cyclops – a brand-new ride making its fair debut.

The Cyclops flips and spins on a pendulum and riders’ benches occasionally sway back and forth for added thrills.

“Oh, I loved it,” Phillips said. “I rode the old one all the time, but I’ve been waiting on this to come. I loved it. It’s awesome.”

Tina Phillips, of Saluda, South Carolina, works concessions at the N.C. Mountain State Fair but took a break to ride the new, highly-anticipated Cyclops ride.Tina Phillips, of Saluda, South Carolina, works concessions at the N.C. Mountain State Fair but took a break to ride the new, highly-anticipated Cyclops ride.

Tina Phillips, of Saluda, South Carolina, works concessions at the N.C. Mountain State Fair but took a break to ride the new, highly-anticipated Cyclops ride.

She said she knew the ride went upside down but didn’t expect all the spins.

Phillips said she’d been looking forward to the N.C. Mountain State Fair for the new food and vendors. She’d met many unfamiliar workers the day before the opening, and reconnected with old friends whom she’d come to know by working the fair circuit.

“And I meet regular customers that come to see me every year,” she said. “I love meeting new people.”

In it for the thrills

Hector Romero and Kamron Moore, students at Jackson County Early College in Sylva, stepped off the Fighter – which lifted riders and twisted their seats at different speeds and rotation patterns.

“I was good at the beginning, but it went really fast, and my heart went like – going out (of my chest),” Romero said. “It was very scary.”

“I’m dizzy right now,” Moore said.

Moore attended the fair once in seventh grade though it was Romero’s first time.

Earlier, they’d rode the Cyclops, also described as “scary.”

Hector Romero and Kamron Moore, students at Jackson County Early College in Sylva, attended the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Student Day on Sept. 6, 2024.Hector Romero and Kamron Moore, students at Jackson County Early College in Sylva, attended the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Student Day on Sept. 6, 2024.

Hector Romero and Kamron Moore, students at Jackson County Early College in Sylva, attended the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Student Day on Sept. 6, 2024.

The thrill-seekers plotted to ride the Surfer next before moving on to explore fair foods.

Moore planned on buying a funnel cake and hamburger and trying a deep-fried Oreo for the first time.

“I would eat anything, to be honest,” Romero said.

N.C. Mountain State Fair

Where: WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher.

When: Sept. 6-15.

Gates open at 9 a.m. Friday-Sunday and 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

The fair closes at Midnight Friday-Saturday and 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.

Info: For more, visit wncagcenter.org/p/mountainstatefair.

State Fair prices, discounts and freebies

  • Adults. $12 online and at the gate.

  • Seniors aged 65 and up. $5.

  • Children aged 6 to 12. $7.

  • Children aged 5 and under. Free.

  • Unlimited rides. $35 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; and $25 Monday-Thursday.

  • Sept. 11. is “We CAN Fight Hunger Day,” presented by Sheetz Convenience Stores and the N.C. Mountain State Fair, invites fairgoers to donate five canned goods for free admission. Canned goods will be collected and distributed by MANNA FoodBank.

  • Sept. 13. Senior Day and Student Day. Admission is free until 6 p.m. for guests ages 65 and older and K-12 students.

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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC Mountain State Fair opening day: Fairgoers share new, old favorites

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