Mountain State Fair begins today in Asheville

September 10 - 18, WNC Agricultural Center,1301 Fanning Bridge Rd. in Fletcher NC (Asheville Suburb) - 2011 Mountain State Fair.  Fairgoers will find new and exciting events and performtnces at this year's WNC Mountain Fair.

The Zerbini Family Circus offers up family-friendly fun under the big top with an array of acrobats, trapeze artists, daredevils, circus clowns, dancers, jugglers and animals.

The Kenya Safari Acrobats will amaze with their high-energy show. End-over-end flips, spectacular displays of balance and strength, and choreographed jump roping are all signatures of this troupe, whose members serve as artistic ambassadors for Kenya. The chow will be presented daily near the newly renovated Davis Event Center.

Sept. 9-13, Josh Knotts & Lea will perform extreme illusions and escapes on the Got to Be NC Stage. The unique magic show features a mix of illusions, theater and comedy that will have the audience asking, “How’d they do that?”

Sept. 14-18, Mike Bishop, a comedy hypnotist, will entertain fairgoers on the Got to Be NC Stage. Bishop encourages audience participation and through the power of hypnotic suggestions he will have people impersonating Elvis and doing other entertaining skits.

Drew Exposition returns this year to provide  thrilling midway rides and games for kids of all ages. The Bojangles Music Stage will host local and regional bands and performers for daily shows. In addition, the Mountain Music Competition that runs Sept. 8-17 offers more great entertainment.

 Adult admission is $6 in advance versus $7 at the gate. Child and senior admission is $2 in advance compared to $3 at the gate. Fairgoer may also want to take advantage of a new special discount offer, the Family Fun Pack, for $30. The pack includes five admission tickets, four coupons good for one ride each and 10 vendor coupons good for discounts on fair foods and at the Airport Road McDonalds.  Special promotions include:

• Monday, Sept. 12: Wristband Day – Ride all day for $18 plus admission.
• Wednesday, Sept. 14: Ingles Day – Free gate admission with five cans of Laura Lynn brand food from Ingles Supermarket.
• Thursday Sept. 15: Wristband Day – Ride all day for $18 plus admission.
• Friday Sept. 16: Senior Citizen Day – Free gate admission for seniors 65 and older, and the Friday Night Stampede from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Offers admission and ride wristband for $18.