THE BALLOON MAN

Fairgoers share their experiences

Samantha Burke of Cary poses for her husband to take a picture during her first visit to the N.C. State Fair on Oct. 13. BY BROOKE CAIN - bcain@newsobserver.comOct 21, 2011
RALEIGH -- Dustin Burke christened his first trip to the N.C. State Fair last week by downing seven deep-fried Oreos.
"The Oreos," Burke said, then paused. "After the first one, I knew I had to eat them all because they were just so good. It's a taste you just can't describe, really."
Burke and his wife Samantha moved here four months ago from Lexington, Ky. Burke works as an engineer for Verizon Business in Cary. They are self-described "fair fanatics" but have mostly only visited county fairs in the past. Those fairs, he says, are "just a mini version" of the State Fair.
"I've never been to a fair that had so many different kinds of fried everything," Burke said.
Their first trip on opening night turned into more of a recon mission for their follow up trip this week.
"That first day was just an expedited run-through so next time we go back, we know what we want to do," Burke said. "You need at least two days to really see everything."
They loved the animals and the Flower & Garden exhibits, but mostly couldn't get over the food. Burke said he didn't eat all day in preparation for their first visit."Then I ate a corn dog and pizza." And of course, the Oreos. And some gingerbread muffins for the road.The agenda for their second trip: deep-fried Snickers bars.Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/10/21/1583244/nc-state-fairgoers-share-their.html?tab=gallery&gallery=/2011/10/20/1583088/iphone-at-the-fair-101911.html&gid_index=1#ixzz1bSi45Rzl