In less than a week the fall air in Raleigh, NC will be filled with the sweet scent of cotton candy, the sounds of children laughing, and explosions of colorful light in the night sky. At 3:00pm on Thursday, October 13th the gates at the North Carolina State fairgrounds will open and the 2011 North Carolina State Fair will begin!

Whether you are new to the Triangle area or are a lifelong North Carolinian the state fair is an essential fall tradition in the south. Hundreds of competitions showcase North Carolina’s finest food, produce, livestock, and home furnishings. The Grandstand hosts daily shows including music concerts, tractor pulls, and demolition derbies. Kids can enjoy traveling entertainment acts such as the Rock It Robot and Washboard Willie. And of course there will be plenty of games, rides, and fantastic fair food to entertain the whole family.

While you’re there, also remember to take advantage of the many educational opportunities! In addition to learning about livestock and agricultural practices and local artist and artisan exhibitions, this year there is also a new exhibit called Cultivate a Career. The exhibit has a scavenger hunt to learn about your career personality and showcases numerous agricultural jobs.

The fair will run from October 13th through October 23th. Gates are open from 8am to midnight daily. For more information about this year’s fair visit the North Carolina State Fair’s official website.

See you at the fair!