SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR E-NEWS

The State Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina

Summer 2009       *       2009 FAIR DATES ~ OCTOBER 14 - 25       *         COLUMBIA

www.scstatefair.org

In this issue:

At the Fairgrounds

SC State Fair

Scholarships

Year Around

Fairground Parking Improvement Project Completed

      

South Carolina State Fair improvements to the Fair's 30-acre parking area have been completed. Four thousand (4,000) parking spaces are now available for events at the fairgrounds, as well as University of South Carolina football games.

Services provided by BP Barber included site design (grading and strom drainage), landscaping planning and design, permitting assistance, surveying and construction administration services. The parking area features drive isles constructed asphaltic concrete pavement and parking spaces comprised of Bermuda grass. The parking area is heavily landscaped with a 25-foot landscaped area surrounding the site and landscaped islands interspersed among the parking spaces. The landscaping features native trees and shrubs and local favorites such as Live Oaks, Red Maples, Black gums, Crepe Myrtles, Sabal Palmettos, Tulip Poplars, Abelias and Tea Olives that are designed to provide aesthetic interest thoughout the year, and spectacular foliage during the Fall. An irrigation system was installed for maintenance of the trees and shrubs. The parking improvements also include new electric lights and poles. The storm drainage system for the parking area is a standard type system with underground detention to avoid the need for an above ground detention system.

Top of Page

2009 SC State Fair Web Site Launched June 1

The 2009 SC State Fair web site was launched on June 1 and will remain until several weeks following the Fair, when we will revert back to the Year Round site which focuses on facility rentals, shows, football parking, scholarships, etc. Let us know what you think of the web site by dropping us an e-mail at geninfo@scstatefair.org. We would love to hear your comments and/or suggestions to improve the site.

Top of Page

Follow SC State Fair on Facebook and Twitter

       

Are you on Facebook? Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life. Be among the first to know what is happening at the fairgrounds by logging on to Facebook, search for SC State Fair and send request to be a Friend.

Have you "tweeted" today? Everybody's doing it, including the SC State Fair. Get the instant updates on what's happening at the SC State Fair by following us on Twitter. Links to Facebook and Twitter can be found on www.scstatefair.org home page.

Top of Page

 

Coming Soon...the 2009 South Carolina State Fair...

October 14-25

TREEmendous Fun! Everyone's Smiling!

Fun Facts about the South Carolina State Fair

  • The fair celebrates its 140th anniversary in 2009. It's the largest event in the state, attracting approximately half a million people over 12 days.
  • Did you know??? The average farmer grows enough food a year to feed 144 people, the average hen lays about 250 eggs a year and the average American eats 120 lbs. of potatoes a year.
  • During the past decade, the fair has contributed more than $3 million to the community through scholarship endowments and grants to non-profit organizations. The SC State Fair is a fantastic family entertainment value.
  • For interesting exhibits, exciting rides and shows the whole family can enjoy together, nothing beats the South Carolina State Fair.
  • Parking at the fairgrounds is free, and you can order discount tickets directly from the website.
  • Visit www.scstatefair.org to order discount tickets, find information about entertainers, and plan your trip.

Top of Page

Press Release - June 23, 2009 

The South Carolina State Fair announces a change to the 2009 Pepsi Grandstand lineup. 

Columbia- The South Carolina State Fair is pleased to announce that Nat and Alex Wolff of the Naked Brothers Band on Nickelodeon will replace Corbin Bleu in this year’s Pepsi Grandstand lineup.  Corbin Bleu cancelled his fall concert tour last week.  “The Nat and Alex Wolff concert will have the same appeal as the Corbin Bleu concert for our younger fair patrons.  We like to have concerts that appeal to all ages and musical taste.  We are excited to have them” says Gary Goodman, manager of The South Carolina State Fair. Nat Wolff is the lead singer and songwriter of the Naked Brothers Band.  The fourteen year old is modest and soulful with a strong moral center.  Nicknamed “the Girl Magnet” when the sweet, sensitive Nat’s not writing the band’s next hit he’s fending off the female fans who mob him wherever he goes.  But despite his fame he has managed to stay level-headed and down to earth. Alex Wolff, ten, is the band’s drummer and ‘bad boy’.  His brilliance as a drummer and his big romantic heart makes him a highly respected member of the band.  His wild take on life keeps the rest the band and the audience in stitches. He is a supporter of do-rags, fake piercings and stick on tattoos.  Alex is a fan of anything that involves rocking out, rebel style.

Top of Page

 

 

 

PEPSI® Grandstand Concert & Discount Ticket Sales

Beginning July 1, 2009 at 10:00 AM...

order online or telephone 1-800-514-3849 for

these TREEmendous Fun Value Deals...

DISCOUNT Gate Admission, DISCOUNT Ride Vouchers,

and

PEPSI® Grandstand Concert Tickets

NEW IN 2009:

Tickets will not be sold at the Fairgrounds until 10/14/09

...details at www.scstatefair.org

DISCOUNT Gate Admission,

DISCOUNT Ride Vouchers,

and

PEPSI® Grandstand Concert Tickets

QUESTIONS ABOUT ORDERING TICKETS, YOUR ORDER, PRINTING TICKETS?

Click on following link...

http://www.etix.com/ticket/online/help.jsp

Top of Page

2009 PEPSI® GRANDSTAND CONCERT ARTISTS BIOS

(subject to change)

.

DATE ENTERTAINMENT TIME PRICE
Friday 10/16 TobyMac 7:30 PM $15
Saturday 10/17 David Cook 7:30 PM $25
Sunday 10/18 The Charlie Daniels Band 4:00 PM $1
Monday 10/19 Nat & Alex Wolff (from The Naked Brothers Band) 6:00 PM $15
Wednesday 10/21 Michael W. Smith & Steven Curtis Chapman 6:30 PM $20
Friday 10/23 Montgomery Gentry 7:30 PM $20
Saturday 10/24 Eric Benet 7:30 PM $15
Sunday 10/25 "Shag-a-Fair" with The Fanstastic Shakers 4:00 PM FREE
*plus convenience and/or handling fee
(Entertainment information is subject to change)

Top of Page

TREEmendous Fun! Value Deals

Take advantage of these TREEmendous Fun Value Deals at the 2009 SC State Fair...

  • ONE DOLLAR $ ADMISSION - Opening Day Special (Ticket available only at gate on 10/14/09)
  • ONE DOLLAR $ PEPSI GRANDSTAND CONCERT - The Charlie Daniels Band (10/18/09)
  • DISCOUNT Admission - $5 (when purchased in advance of 10/14/09)
  • DISCOUNT Ride vouchers - $20 (when purchased in advance of 10/14/09)
  • EIGHT (8) POP DAYS - ALL WEEKDAYS (We added an extra day!)
  • FREE PARKING
  • LUNCH DEAL - ALL WEEKDAYS
  • SATURDAYS - 2 RIDE FOR PRICE OF 1 (9am-1pm)
  • And much, much more.

Top of Page

GATE ADMISSION

TREEmendous Fun Value Deal

OPENING DAY SPECIAL  -  $1 GATE ADMISSION FOR EVERYONE!!!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14 ONLY (also a POP Day!)

PLEASE BE ADVISED:

Gates open at 3:00 PM - Opening Day Special ticket sold only at North Gate (Rosewood Drive) and South Gate (inside Gate 6 on Assembly Street) on Wednesday, October 14, 2009.

                                                                   * TREEmendous Fun Value Deal

 
*Discount Price
Price During Fair

Regular (ages 6 - 54)

$5
$8

Senior (ages 55 and over)

$5
$5

Child (ages 2 - 5)

$2
$2

Child (under 2)

Free
Free
*Discount Price available through October 13, 2009 (prior to Opening Day of Fair)
 

Credit or Debit Cards Accepted

No Checks

Top of Page

 

 

Interested in being a 2009 SC State Fair Commercial Exhibitor or Concessionaire? The South Carolina State Fair, in operation since 1869, has average attendance levels 500,000+ people. The Fair is the ideal event for businesses and non-profit organizations alike to reach a large and diverse group of people. Current exhibitors range from various retail businesses to non-profit organizations to local, county and state agencies. Commercial & non-commercial exhibits are housed in two exhibit halls that total 40,000 square feet. Exhibitors selected to participate in the Fair are expected to display their products or services in an attractive and professional manner in the assigned booth area. The Fair attempts to select exhibitors who will complement the other products & services booked in the exhibit halls. These selections depend on the products/services already booked & the products/services Fair management believes will appeal to the Fair attendee. All new applicants must complete an application available for downloading on the web site.

Top of Page

 

Competitive Exhibits Open Entry Registration Period

August 1 - September 4

      

The first South Carolina State Fair was held in 1869 on a tract of land on Elmwood Avenue conveyed to the State Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina by the City of Columbia for the purpose of holding an annual Fair to promote the material, educational, agricultural and industrial interest of the State. When this area became too small, the Society moved the Fair to its present location in 1904. To enhance the State Fair exhibits, competitions were developed in a variety of categories to determine which entries were the best in the Palmetto State. With that same pioneering spirit, the South Carolina State Fair continues to host unique competitions showcasing a variety of industries, including those that extend far beyond agriculture. The Society has six exhibit buildings, totaling more than 125,000 square feet of exhibit space, and offers in excess of $215,000 in premiums annually in categories such as fine arts, home arts, culinary, agriculture, horticulture, and livestock.

Mark your calendar now to register your favorite quilt, cake, wine, art work, plant, animal, etc. and participate in the 140th South Carolina State Fair. The following departments are calling for entries: Fine Art, Student Art, Agriculture, Flowers, Home & Craft, Cattle, Dairy Goats, Sheep, Smallstock, Swine, and Youth Horse. Register online or download an entry form from the web site. The Premium Guide is available on the web site (look under State Fair menu tab, click on Premium Guide for Competitive Exhibitors).

Top of Page

 

The South Carolina State Fair is committed to the education of South Carolina's young adults. In the past decade, the South Carolina State Fair has returned over $3 million to the community through scholarship endowments and grants to non-profit organizations.

UPDATE ON 2009 ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: The South Carolina State Fair has awarded fifty (50) $2,000 scholarships to 2009 graduating seniors in both public and private high schools or home schools in South Carolina. These scholarship will be applied toward post high school education or training in a South Carolina university, college, or technical college. Applicants were judged on overall performance and involvement, need, communications skills, and an aptitude for completion of application. Recipients were notified by May 1, 2009. In addition, these selected fifty (50) 2009 recipients will be offered the opportunity to reapply for one of ten (10) $2,500 scholarships to be paid prior to the fall semester of their sophomore year (2010).

Follow this link for additional information

http://scstatefair.org/throughout-the-year/scholarships/AcademicScholarshipLetter.php

Questions should be directed to Lauren Funderburk at (803) 799-3387, ext. 15.

Top of Page

 

The SC State Fairgrounds is an ideal setting for many public and private events throughout the year with exception of September and October when we set up for the SC State Fair.

The year-round Calendar of Events, along with the Event Promoter name and contact information, may be found under the Throughout the Year menu tab at http://www.scstatefair.org or quick click http://scstatefair.org/calendar/index.php.

Facility Rental details may be found under the Throughout the Year menu tab at www.scstatefair.org or quick click http://www.scstatefair.org/throughout-the-year/facility-rentals/index.php.

To schedule an event at the fairgrounds, e-mail Tim Wilson or telephone 803.799.3387 ext. 11.

Top of Page

Online applications for RV/Camper Parking Reservations for events held year-round may be found under the Throughout the Year menu tab at http://www.scstatefair.org or quick click http://www.scstatefair.org/throughout-the-year/rv_information.php.

For more information e-mail Steve Felsberg or telephone 803.799.3387 ext. 22.

Top of Page

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO TAILGATE AT THE ROCKET

Football Parking information and applications may be found under the Throughout the Year menu tab at http://www.scstatefair.org or quick click http://www.scstatefair.org/throughout-the-year/usc-reserved-parking.php.

E-mail Grayson Goodman or telephone 803.799.3387 ext. 14 for more information. GO GAMECOCKS!!!

Top of Page

E- NEWSLETTER - EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!

The SC State Fair e-Newsletter is published four times a year; Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall (FAIR issue). To receive a BLAST reminding you of this quarterly publication, sign up on our home page at www.scstatefair.org by adding your e-mail address in the e-newsletter box. You will be directed to create a User Profile and your name will be added to the databases of your interest, i.e. General Newsletter, Commercial Exhibitor, Football Parking, Scholarships, one of our Competitive Exhibit departments, etc.

Be sure to add our e-mail address geninfo@scstatefair.org to your Address Book to insure the e-mail is delivered to your Inbox.

Top of Page

 
 
Scholarships
Molly J. Brady
North Myrtle Beach High School
1st Year Recipient
Today at the Fairgrounds
There are no events scheduled today
Upcoming Events
3/12-3/14
Carolina Classic Home & Garden Show
Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia
Entire Fairgrounds
3/17
Truck Fest 2010
SC Trucking Association
Moore Building
3/20-3/21
Land of the Sky Gun Show
Mike Kent & Associates
Americraft-Cantey Building
3/26-3/28
Palmetto Sportsmens Classic
Harry Hampton Wildlife
Entire Fairgrounds
Newsletter
Get the latest news and information from the South Carolina State Fair!

Twitter Feed
Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:23:23
Ride of Your Life Scholarship deadline is 3/19/10. Details at http://scstatefair.org/throughout-the-year/scholarships/index.php

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:24:34
Our new Facebook Fan page is growing at http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Carolina-State-Fair/266141213747?v=wall

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:29:21
Join new SC State Fair FAN page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Carolina-State-Fair/266141213747?v=wall

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:17:15
The Ride of Your Life Scholarship program info & application available at http://scstatefair.org/throughout-the-year/scholarships/index.php

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:04:52
Last Day...Craftsmens Spring Classic Arts & Crafts Festival Gilmore Enterprises Americraft-Cantey & Ellison Buildings at the Fairgrounds

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:59:48
This weekend...The Craftsmens Spring Classic Arts & Crafts Festival Gilmore Enterprises Americraft-Cantey & Ellison Buildings

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:43:30
The Ride of Your Life Scholarship program info & application available at http://scstatefair.org/throughout-the-year/scholarships/index.php

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:32:41
SC RV Super Show & Sale - Thursday, Feb. 18 - Sunday, Feb. 21 at the SC State Fairgrounds. Follow us on the new Fan Page on Facebook.

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:32:56
Boat Show 2010 - February 11-14 at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds. Details on Calendar of Events at www.scstatefair.org.

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:45:25
Coming to the SC State Fairgrounds - Saturday, Feb. 6 - Clean Sweep Sale -sponsored by The Junior League. Details at www.scstatefair.org.

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:12:48
Become a FAN of the South Carolina State Fair at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/South-Carolina-State-Fair/266141213747?ref=mf

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:48:03
Check out the 2010 Winter e-news at http://scstatefair.org/newsletters/2009-2010_E-News_Winter_Edition_000.php

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:55:21
Starting Today: Jr League of Columbia's "Holiday Market!" Check out their web page at http://www.jlcolumbia.org/?nd=holiday_market.

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:41:04
Coming soon...Dec. 3-6 Holiday Market, Junior League of Columbia, Americraft-Cantey Building - details at www.scstatefair.org

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:50:06
STATE FAIR TAILGATE PARKING: Gates will open at 8am on Saturday morning.

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:21:07
RV spots still available for the USC/CU game. Go to scstatefair.org & follow link to football parking page for "Individual Game RV"

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:20:17
RV spots still available for the USC/CU game. Go to scstatefair.org & follow link to football parking page for "Individual Game RV" app.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:06:07
DON'T FORGET this weekend is the Craftsmen's Christmas Classic! Visit www.gilmoreshows.com to print off a $1 off coupon for adult admission!

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:24:31
Nov. 20-22 - The Craftsmen's Christmas Classic Arts & Crafts Festival - www.scstatefair.org

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:07:40
Nov. 20-22 - The Craftsmen's Christmas Classic Arts & Crafts Festival, Gilmore Enterprises, in the Americraft-Cantey & Ellison Buildings

.: follow sc state fair on twitter