Coastal Carolina fair to open today

The midway rides, carnival game booths and food stands are in place for the 2008 Coastal Carolina Agriculture Fair, which begins today at the Craven County Fairgrounds, located on U.S. 70 West between Havelock and New Bern

Exhibitors began setting up for judging of everything from needlepoint to potted plants, jams, jellies and pies.

A short distance from the Ferris wheel, 14-year-old Hannah Davis and others were preparing for the livestock exhibits, which begin receiving animals Wednesday.

Davis, who lives in the Straits community of eastern Carteret County, was joined by Jasper, a 2-week-old Angus-mix calf, who rested in a stall.

Davis is a member of the Otway Livestock Club and Newport Roadrunners 4-H. She was tending to Jasper for Kim and Russ Nead. A home-schooled ninth-grader, Davis has been a fair livestock competitor for three years, winning best in show for her chickens last fall. She also shows goats.

She has been in 4-H for nine years, but after she got involved in raising livestock three years ago, she developed a serious interest and now plans to attend N.C. State University and become a livestock veterinarian.

Not all the exhibitors have careers linked to their livestock or agricultural exhibits, which will be judged today. But they do put in a lot of time and effort, according to Ivey Reid, Jones County Cooperative Extension director.

While the carnival side of the fair draws crowds, she said, people should not forget about the homegrown exhibits.

"We have quilts and afghans and canned beans and baked goods and all kinds of things," she said. "And that was the basis of the fair when the agriculture fairs began. It was grandma's prize pie and cooking contest and that kind of thing. This gets us back to our agricultural heritage."

She said the exhibitors span all ages and participating is especially exciting for children.

"We have small children who might have made a little item in a Bible school class, and to see that on exhibit with a ribbon is a big thing for a child," she said.

As for the midway rides, Fair Manager Bill Joyner said there is plenty of variety from Michigan-based Play World, which has been the midway vendor for the past four years.

"They are probably the cleanest carnival you'll ever see, the best maintained," he said. "They really take care of their equipment."

There are some new and returning events, such as a rodeo, which has been absent for several years. Professional bull riding is on the schedule for 7 p.m. Oct. 25.

There are reduced-price $8 ticket nights for elementary and middle school students Monday and Tuesday.

Senior Citizens Night is Wednesday and Heroes Night - military, police and firefighters - get in for a reduced rate the following evening.

The fair continues through Oct. 26.

About 21,000 people attended last year's fair, and Joyner looks for another good turnout if the weather is good.

Ticket prices are $12 in advance at area Fuel Markets and Mitchell Hardware in downtown New Bern. Prices are $15 at the gate, and Joyner said the price covers most all of the rides.

The fair is sponsored by the Jaycees, who use the proceeds for programs supporting cystic fibrosis, special-needs children at Christmas and the New Bern Christmas parade.

For more information, call 636-0303.

On the Web: www.coastalcarolinaagfair.org.