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I was pretty unhappy with the crowds too, but they thinned out a lot when the sun went down. Also for some reason, the Kerr-Scott building was realtively empty the whole day. And honestly, I didn't have a problem getting away from the Fairgrounds after the fireworks ended. As Dickens would have put it, it was the best of Fairs and the Worst of Fairs.
Vicky - GREAT advice, although I do have to say, this year really was worse than others. We've been on the first Sunday for about 5 years in a row, and like I said, it has always been very busy, and we were ok with that (to be expected!!), but it was never as bad as it was this year. It was the difference between waiting 10-15 minutes for a ride and waiting 30 minutes (with a small child that's a huge difference) - and it took us 45 minutes to find parking as opposed to 20 minutes like it usually does - and while it was sometimes difficult in years past to walk through the crowds, yesterday we just came to a complete standstill several times and seemed like we kept getting run over. It was a marked difference...but I think next year we'll be trying some of your suggestions
Vicky - GREAT advice, although I do have to say, this year really was worse than others. We've been on the first Sunday for about 5 years in a row, and like I said, it has always been very busy, and we were ok with that (to be expected!!), but it was never as bad as it was this year. It was the difference between waiting 10-15 minutes for a ride and waiting 30 minutes (with a small child that's a huge difference) - and it took us 45 minutes to find parking as opposed to 20 minutes like it usually does - and while it was sometimes difficult in years past to walk through the crowds, yesterday we just came to a complete standstill several times and seemed like we kept getting run over. It was a marked difference...but I think next year we'll be trying some of your suggestions
Glad it helped!
We went one year on a Sunday and it was so packed that we got STUCK in the crowd. Pretty scary since we had a baby in a stroller and I'm short. No one could move. I still remember it and it had to have been at least 16 years ago! I could tell you EXACTLY where we were!
With the nice weather, the crowd probably was better (or worse) than previous years. Or maybe everyone is so sick of the yucky economy that they felt they needed to splurge and have some fun!
Since some of the funds from the State Fair go to the State of NC and it is so expensive, can we count it as a tax deduction???
We're planning to go next Sunday right when the rides start at 10:00 AM. Do ya'll think the crowds will be crazy on Sunday AM? We were planning on doing rides and then having an early lunch so we can get out of there by mid-day.
We got there Saturday just before noon and while it was crowded it was mobbed by the time we left. As the day progresses the nature of the crowd changes. You should have a good time and enjoy it getting there that early. It is a real family time.
Thursday-Sunday you can park at the Kmart and ride their shuttle up the road for $2.00 each way. Worked out great on Saturday. By the time we left the fair and got back to the parking lot it was packed
I went with my parents today (Monday). We got there at 8:45, and had a very nice 2-3 hours before it got pretty crowded. There were so many kids (of all ages) that I wondered if school was out! My dad is disabled so we parked in one of the handicapped lots and had no troubles getting in, or out when we left around 2. However as we were leaving we saw cars parked for what seemed like miles down on the sides of the road..(Hillsborough I think).. wow!
I went with my parents today (Monday). We got there at 8:45, and had a very nice 2-3 hours before it got pretty crowded. There were so many kids (of all ages) that I wondered if school was out! My dad is disabled so we parked in one of the handicapped lots and had no troubles getting in, or out when we left around 2. However as we were leaving we saw cars parked for what seemed like miles down on the sides of the road..(Hillsborough I think).. wow!
Some kids are tracked out but my sister is a teacher and she says people do hold their kids out of school for the fair. After my experience this past weekend I can see why! Next year we will go first thing in the morning.
Thursday-Sunday you can park at the Kmart and ride their shuttle up the road for $2.00 each way. Worked out great on Saturday. By the time we left the fair and got back to the parking lot it was packed
That's good deal! Can you tell me which Kmart this is? Also, are kids under 40" free?
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