Come To The Fair (1970s)

[Music] [Music] are you ready for the fair the fair vibrates faster than the larger World a mosaic of skill competition curiosity noise color and excitement but you must qualify you must have a feeling for it to capture The Wonder of it you've got to be a kid to know the glory of it for in this moving World there are no years just Hearts so brother put some coins in your pocket sister Dawn your slacks bring your sense of wonder get a little sawdust in your shoes there's something for everyone come on kids whatever your age we're going to the fair [Music] [Music] the fair is a pulsating city of a 100,000 people half educational fair and half Carnival it provides for all who pass the hurt the Lost fire and other emergency facilities are in reserve preparation for each Fair requires a full year but the giant village like a 100,000 piece jigsaw puzzle assembles itself in a frenzy 2 weeks before opening day for North Carolina it began in 1853 the state Agricultural Society resolved to sponsor a cattle show and an exhibition of domestic manufacturers the project was highly successful gate fees were $25 $1 was charged for a carriage and0 50 cents for a buggy receipts were $3,000 between 4 and 6,000 attended nearly every section of the state and every industrial Pursuit within its borders were represented at Fair after fair by 1895 the Agricultural Society show and exhibition had become the main annual event among rural Tar Heels the history of the fair is generously sprinkled with the Glamorous the famous and the strange Teddy Roosevelt spoke to fairgoers in 1905 and later Mar Truman in 1948 the celebrated Carolina twins Millie Christine were a major attraction at the first [Music] Fair siamese twins in and Chang bunker were favorites at the fair also World Travelers they made their home in North [Music] Carolina in 1937 a Farm Boy by the name of car Scott ran for commissioner of of Agriculture advocating state operation of a state fair Scott one and named colorful doc dorton manager in Doc's opinion The Secret of good education was to mix it up with entertainment and Spike it with friendly [Music] competition in 1948 doc booked the James E Straight shows and baskam Lamar Lansford brought the first Folk Festival it worked receipt shot upward and premiums offered were increased [Music] in April of 1949 now Governor car Scott again wrote upon the history of the fair the legislature voted to make the Raleigh Fairgrounds into a permanent State Exhibition of Arts industry Agriculture and Wildlife Doc dorton and his staff came tearing out of the woods to build North Carolina's Fair doc roared away as Grand Duke of fair makers until his death in 1961 in 1965 Arthur K Pitzer was named manager and under his Direction the fair continued to grow and is now considered one of the top 10 in existence [Laughter] [Music] [Laughter] [Music] North Carolina State Fair has been powered by fervor for land conservation and a wholehearted love of Outdoor Show Business it catches thousands in srl of enthusiasm gently spinning them into a single strand of influence to draw the state along the way of agricultural progress each New Year lending individuality and Fascination for the young at heart [Music] [Applause] [Music] comy [Music] organizing the fair is as intricate as making a watch exhibits are divided into 30 departments and include everything from quilt making to Brick laying many contestants have been entering the competition longer than they can remember others are newcomers $95,000 is offered in premiums all entries must be carefully recorded judges verdicts entered on scorecards premium checks made out and handed to the winners as soon as the judging is over much of the premium money provides a good time for winners right at the fair space must be provided for many demonstrations given throughout the fair and for the mass of educational and informational materials [Music] distributed ducks are special at the fair not just any Ducks but High tone Thor bread ducks a farmer or anyone can admire [Music] the market steer show carries more than weight at the fair top steers are determined by a nationally recognized judge it's also a good place to meet old friends even if they're wearing a different [Applause] [Music] [Applause] hat ladies and gentlemen a do found and he brought $1,300 [Music] some of the Midway rides are steeped in history but most have their origin as pure entertainment they're ridden just for fun the great pleasure Wheels of Steel enthrall and provide a unique thrill for the daring or the brave they help fulfill a basic and aoud human need for amusement the village of yester year begun at the fair in 1951 reflects the heritage of North Carolina its people and their crafts once essential for life about 80 Craftsmen some in Native costume carve weave and braid offering their wees for sale The Village keeps the significance of our age-old arts and crafts alive for today's fairgoers competition for offered premiums is high here [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] the charm of the crafts of yester year is difficult to equal except perhaps by the rhythmic tattoo of the village Smithy who stands nearby and Fascination is complete [Music] how's the best way to show Tar Heels the wildlife that inhabits North Carolina's woods and Waters well short of going out into the fields and forests one way is to bring Wildlife to the people our great state fair is the place for just that the wild life Resources Commission has created an animal compound which has many steel animal display pens plus two fenced enclosures for deer and turkey raccoons foxes water fowl black bear and others are there for folks to see many of our freshwater fishes are on display in 300-gallon aquariums the animals are well cared for and their display pens are cleaned thoroughly each day feeding with Foods they like best is done later each evening so that the animals can eat in peace after the crowds leave although the animals are wild many of them come from animal displays over the state and are accustomed to confinement before they arrive at the fair the display is designed to show examples of our wildlife and to remind folks what we all have to enjoy in our state and what we must manage and use wisely [Music] walking the Midway is part of the fear for most but no matter how young the heart or willing the spirit the feet get weary and rest is where you find [Music] it anyone harboring a secret desire to pet and feed baby animals will find gratification at the fair menageries of tame baby exotic animals from each corner of the Earth and baby domestic and farm animals are [Music] [Music] featured repair is one great interlocking process everything fits together in its time and place free is an important word to those who plan the fair as well as to fairgoers in 1971 for the first time in Fair history there were more than 20 major free attractions for everyone and Arena shows were attractively priced bigger and better describes today's fa [Music] senior citizens who have achieved the 60-year Mark cash in at the fair a special fun Festival is designed just for Golden Ages [Music] barbecue chicken hambur hot dogs panut popcorn Cracker Jack country ham this is the place you've heard about this the place that got the finest food on the mid wig best price and the finest food come and get it this is the one you've heard about this is it this is it come and get it we're here here [Music] in careful planning maintains the delicate balance between education and entertainment Booth selling Novelties cotton candy and rides are strategically placed to tempt and Delight fairgoers on their roots to see everything there is to see [Music] getting involved is the goal of North Carolinians as they prepare topical exhibits for the fair greater display space permits larger exhibition by works of adults students amateurs and professionals modern layouts and careful lighting help create attractive presentations for exhibitors whatever their categories [Music] [Music] while the Romantic day at the fair retains the sentiment actually it's difficult to adequately cover everything in one day every day has its highlights and many confirmed Fair gor seek to miss nothing and each season captures new enthusiasts [Music] as evening steals across the Midway it lends another mood more and more come to borrow their share of thrill Towers leap into Columns of pastel Radiance pillars of Steel by Day become pillars of electric fire by Night the canvas City blossoms the wise of fairs and carnivals the people who make them and the people who enjoy them have been wed through the centuries perhaps the explanation is that many things are mirrored in the magic of the Midway and everything falls under its spell [Music] the fear is a sprawling giant with one foot deep in the earth and the other on Broadway whence come much of the talent for the grand stand and state shows some of Hollywood greatest Charmed T heels in the grandstand and in the dorton arena you're kidding on behalf of the North Carolina North Carolina B appreciation you coming here open our great North Carolina State PR one four you look like you need a good app reminding you that North Carolina one back we place State we going to ship to delicious apple farmer Park hope you enjoy how many of these ARS you own backstage often provides as much excitement as the show another governor Scott is no stranger to the fair and the fair ever remains a Haven for politicians and Showman [Music] pace of the Midway increases with the hours a faster Tempo bolsters courage and speed grows irresistible rides are much safer than they look buckles and belts secure the Riders and once you're in you're in for the duration [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] for anyone who works the fair fortitude is his obvious virtue but faith hope and charity are there [Music] too when man first began to till the soil Farmers brought produce to the center of exchange at regular times harvests were celebrated by fairs thither came the jugglers the knife throwers the trainers of dancing bears sellers of charms vendors of cooked meats pastry and wine all of these things live again in our very modern foot long hot [Music] dog there are many theories concerning origin of fair rides one school holds that our ancestors delighted in swinging from tree to tree the other that early man watched a family of otter at play sliding and bumping about however it may be that the Delights of swinging and bumping are discoveries all children and make for themselves watching your child at the fair is its own special thrill and you could almost always participate but one secret every parent should learn when your child rides the mergo round Never Never Wave to him stand there so he could wave to you and feel secure but you must never wave at this golden moment as the organ blares and the horse leaps beneath him he has left you for a more colorful local [Music] what is a fair the smell of cotton candy The Cry of the carys the music of the merrygoround all the sights sounds and Sensations wrapped up in the Midway and more Tar Heels its contests and blue ribbons that prove Championship its blood curdling banners and prizes it's the realization that each man must walk down his own Road and that we must let him from the ticket gate to the Kaleidoscope of fireworks the fair is a super Neon lit Market of skill crafts manip and knowledge the fair is a never-ending variety of exhibits food rides grandstand attractions and S shows it's the suspense of skids stunt drivers and dizzying rides it's clowns aerialists puppets and jugglers it's the joy of a giant stuffed toy it's that special magic of good education spiked with entertainment yes faster than the larger World a mosaic of skill competition curiosity noise color and excitement history is written in great fairs and each Fair lingers an echo in The Ether of Time Each unique each to return again and again in the hearts and minds of those who love that fair and in their telling of it but to share it to have a feeling for it you must be of the young a kid for a day at the fair whatever your age [Music] sh [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause]