Schedules are in the mail for the 2008 Wayne Fair
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on August 11, 2008 1:41 PM
The 2008 Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair catalogs are out.
The catalogs were mailed earlier this month, but members of the fair staff said most went out in bulk mail and that it likely took a while for them to reach their destinations.
Anyone who does not receive a catalog can pick up a copy at the fairgrounds office on U.S. 117 South, at the Cooperative Extension office at the Wayne Center or at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce on William Street.
The fair will be held Sept. 25 through Oct. 4, with the favorite attractions returning along with some new ones.
Powers Great American Midway returns for its eighth year of providing rides at the 10-day event.
Also, there will be some new competition categories.
The Creative Celebration category will include greeting cards as well as the invitations category that proved popular last year.
Under the crafts competition, other divisions have been added to jewelry, which fair staff member Edith Blanton said is currently the "in craft."
There will be no change in the general admission charge, which is $6 for adults, $3 for school-age children and free for pre-schoolers.
The rides are separate tickets that can be purchased individually. A wristband also will be available that admits the wearer to any ride.
There also will be a new ride on the midway -- the Vortex Super-ride, which will require the wristband and three additional tickets.
Previously, the $20 wristband entitled its holder to all the rides up until 5 p.m. on Saturday, but this year, the wrist band is good from open-to-close on any day you want to use it.
And for the first time, fairgoers can buy the wristbands online at www.waynefair.com for $15. But they must be purchased before Sept. 24, the day before the fair starts.
New attractions this year include the Hansen's Thrill Show, which features a mother, father and child doing skating and acrobatic tricks, the Taste of Country family and the Joyful Noise gospel group led by Southern Wayne High School music teacher Jason Cox.
Also new this year is the StatueViva, a live human statue.
Fair Manager Milton Ingram said Powers is considered one of the best carnival companies on the East Coast. The company also provides the rides at the North Carolina State Fair,
The Wayne Regional Fair won the state Image Award for most outstanding fair in North Carolina last year, as well as the Agricultural Award for its variety of agricultural exhibits and the Youth Award for programs created for the younger crowd.
The staff at the fairgrounds try to provide lots of activities, exhibits and contests for youth. And science has been added this year to the educational competitions.
Parking is still free, and security is provided, as usual, by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.