Riders face 'The Claw' and other spectacles at the fair
By Sam Atkins
Published in News on October 1, 2004 2:01 PM
Shanee Cain of Goldsboro stood beside her sister, Keondra, as they gazed at "The Claw."
After a few minutes of trying to decide if they were going to ride, they decided to continue on their journey across the fairgrounds to find the next exciting adventure.
Ms. Cain, 20, had planned on coming to the 56th annual Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair over the weekend, but Keondra, 9, begged her to come on the opening night.
They arrived around 6:15 p.m., not too long after the gates opened, and had already ridden the "Ring of Fire." They both agreed it was fun.
"I want to get on it again," said Ms. Cain, who also enjoys the fair's funnel cakes.
They plan on coming back to the fair over the weekend and expect to see some of their friends. Before they could leave they had to try "The Starship," one of four new rides at this year's fair.
The gates to Power's Great American Midway opened at 4 p.m. Thursday, and people of all ages began filling the 40 acres at 2801 U.S. 117 South. The fair will be held through Oct. 9, and the Web site, www.waynfair.com, has daily fair schedules, entertainment lists, ticket information, a map of the fairgrounds, directions and other information. The News-Argus is also running daily lists of fair activities and other fair coverage.
Angela Stevens rested on a bench while her daughters, Taylor, 7, and Alexis, 3, rode the popular carousel.
"It was the first thing they wanted to do when we got here," she said.
Taylor came to see her mom after the ride ended, wearing a smile. She was ready to go on to the next ride and said she liked everything about the fair.
Ms. Stevens said they decided to come on opening night because it is not as crowded.
"It's a nice night to be out here," she said.
The children like to see all the rides shining brightly at night, and the food, she said.
They planned on visiting the student artwork display in the Main Exhibit Building.
Other people began their fair experience by visiting the displays.
Tracey Purdie was in the Educational Building viewing all of the exhibits built by the various school organizations and clubs.
Her husband, Lt. Col. Scott Purdie, is stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. They have been in Wayne County for two years and were also here in the 1990s. Her son, Taylor, 16, was participating in the drafting competition and is a junior at Charles B. Aycock High School.
"The fair has really grown over the years," she said.