Urban Call: Dixie Classic Fair edition

The Fair is Back!

The 2018 Dixie Classic Fair, once again, will be a fun-filled, 10-day extravaganza for every generation—whether you are Gen Z, Gen Y, Gen X, Baby Boomer or a Traditionalist (born between 1922 and 1945).

From Sept. 28 to Oct. 7, the fair will have rockin’ rides for the whole family, crazy and fabulous food, friendly competitions, Gospel Fest (Sept.

30 and Oct. 7), pig races, a rodeo (Sept. 30 and Oct. 7), a hypnotist, Marvelous Mutts, a chainsaw artist, bluegrass music and much more.

Started in 1882 as a wheat exhibition in Salem, today’s fair, the second largest in North Carolina, is a Triad tradition that’s older than Winston-Salem —and it’s affordable fun for all ages.

Do the words “deep fried”

The fair has rides for everyone.

make your heart flutter? Have you ever had the urge to combine bacon with just about anything? If so, come munch the day away and try all kinds of crazy concoctions from the fair’s many vendors.

If you’re feeling lucky—or if you want to impress a date or your kids—try the carnival-

Inside...

Cooking Queen

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David Sparks

Tanisha Robinson

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Sept. 28-Oct. 7, Gospel Fest, and $10,000 in digital coupons

game booths. You can strut your stuff and win them prizes that are fun and unique. But if your game skills are lacking, you can let them play and win prizes for you.

At 7:30 p.m. each night at the Grandstand there will exciting entertainment that’s included with your entry ticket to the

$10,000 in digital coupons

Last Ride

Gospel Fest

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Hours & Tickets

fair: Demolition Derby (Sept.

28, Oct. 4), Figure 8 Racing (Sept. 29, Oct. 5), Rodeo (Sept.

30, Oct. 7), Music (Oct. 1, Wafer Thin/Noah Guthrie/ MAMADEAR; Oct. 3, 7eventh Time Down/Rhett Walker Band/OBB/Josh Wilson), Small Fights Wrestling introduced by Jerry Springer (Oct. 2) and a Tractor Pull (Oct. 6, 1-4 p.m. and 6 p.m. until done).

And the benefits don’t stop there. The fair is giving away $1,000 worth of digital coupons every day. These coupons can be redeemed for fair food, ride tickets and other prizes. That’s $1,000 every day, for a total of $10,000. For more information on how to get your coupons, see page 4.

No matter the interests of you and your family, the fair is guaranteed to be fun.

SMSi-Urban Call Marketing, Inc. 51 E. Fourth St. Suite 810 Winston Salem, N.C. 27101 Tel. (336) 759-7477/ FAX: (336) 759-7212 E-mail: SMSiPartners@smsi-net.com

Sandra Miller Jones

Segmented Marketing Services, Inc. Founder & CEO

Lafayette Jones

Publisher, Urban Call; SMSi-Urban Call Marketing, Inc. President & CEO

Welcome to another edition of Urban Call. Our companies are pleased to help spread the word about the many exciting pleasures —both old and new—that the Dixie Classic Fair brings to our community each year.

In addition to providing good family fun, this year’s fair will again provide hundreds of opportunities to learn, for both young and old. Make sure to visit the local Veterans Wall of Honor in the Annex Building.

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Urban Call

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Special Fair Days Unlimited Ride Promotion Days Oct. 1, Oct. 2 and Oct. 4 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Pay fair gate admission, go to the Midway ticket booth, and purchase wristband to ride all day for $35. Regular price all other days is $40.

School Day Oct. 1: Gates open at 9 a.m. for students Students (Preschool thru Grade 5) are admitted free until 2 p.m. One adult per six children is admitted free.

Senior Adult Day Oct. 2: Gates open at 9 a.m. for seniors Adults age 65 years and over, admitted free all week with proper ID. Aides assisting seniors are free on this Senior Adult Day only.

Special Fun Time and Events for senior adults begin at 10 a.m.

Special Education Day Oct. 3: Gates open at 9 a.m. for special-education students.

Free admission for people with disabilities and their aides.

Crisis Control’s Food Day Oct. 3: Gates open at 11 a.m.

Bring five cans or five boxes of non-perishable food item (of any brand) and receive free admission.

WXII Military Appreciation Day Oct. 4: Gates open at 11 a.m.

Active and retired military with immediate family admitted free with proper ID. Winston-Salem Journal Family Days Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 (second weekend) Hours: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bring the special coupon from the Winston-Salem Journal and receive free admission for up to four kids ages 11 and under with one paid adult. Also, kids age 7 and under can ride all of the Strates Shows Kiddieland Rides for just $10. All rides subject to height safety restrictions. Excludes pony rides.

Cooking inspired by friends, family The Dixie Classic Fair receives thousands of entries for its competitions each year.

But few competitors have the commitment of Tanisha Randolph, who lives in Winston-Salem.

In addition to her job as a food-safety and quality-assurance manager for the Fresh Market, Randolph has entered all of the fair’s Specialty Foods Contests for the past six years. That’s between 11-13 competitions each year­­or about 75 contests over six years. While Randolph relishes preparing all the dishes, it does keep her up until 1 or 2 a.m. each night during competition week.

Ever since her Easy-Bake Oven days, Randolph has felt at home in a kitchen.

Her love of cooking was passed to Randolph by her grandmother, and her kitchen creativity comes from her mom— who once made “a huge family meal of ribs, cabbage, and macaroni and cheese.

She cooked it all in an extended-stay hotel over two stovetops,” Randolph said.

Now that she’s a food scientist, Randolph’s dishes are often inspired by a blend of science and family traditions.

But it was Lara Joyce, a co-worker at Fresh Market, who inspired her to start entering the Specialty Food Contests six years ago.

From Spam to chocolate—and many other creative ingredients in between— the Specialty Food Contests are full of fun challenges that give home cooks a platform where they can shine, and it’s an opportunity for fairgoers to add some creative recipes to their own stock of cooking ideas. For regular competitors like Randolph, the contests have become a supportive and close-knit community.

“They are my fair family,” Randolph said.

While Randolph enjoys all types of cooking, she particularly likes baking. Her friends are constantly asking for a slice of her Southern Pound Cake. The process of baking lets her “build from scratch and go crazy.” That’s why her favorite contest is the Village Tavern Contest. This year the contest is a Nuts About Nuts contest.

Judging begins at 2 p.m. Sept. 30 at the

Tanisha Randolph has entered all the Specialty Food Contests at the fair for the past six years.

Kalena Chappell photo

Yesterday Village Pavilion.

Randolph also looks forward to the Dress Up Your Recipe Contest sponsored by the Little Black Dressing Co. “It really brings out your creativity,” she said.

Competitors create a dish with any of the four salad dressings made by Little Black Dressing Co. Items are judged on taste, texture, creativity and the best use of the dressings. Judging begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 6.

But if Randolph had her way, another contest would be added to the fair’s long list: dog treats. For her dream contest, contestants would make healthy, delicious and fully decorated dog treats—and her dog, Molly, a golden retriever and border collie mix, would be one of the judges.

After getting second place in Smitty’s Friend Apple Pie Contest for the past four years, Randolph is primed for a blue ribbon this year. Judging begins at 7 p.m.

Oct. 2.

In the past six years Randolph has won 16 ribbons—one blue ribbon, five 2nd-place ribbons, five 4th-place ribbons

and one 5th-place ribbon. But she doesn’t enter for the ribbons or the cash prizes.

“Whether you win or lose, the fair gives you a chance to step away from your dayto-day job and gives you an opportunity to just have fun,” Randolph said.

Here are some of the other popular contest categories that you can visit and explore during the fair: • Livestock • Agriculture • Flowers • Crafts • Culinary Goods • Home Furnishings • Antiques This year’s special events: • Mid-Atlantic Southeast Wine Compeititon • Essay Contest • Poetry Contest • Decorated Wreath • Decorated Christmas Tree • Tobacco Lopping Contest

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URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!

Henry’s Fried Apple Pies: Tanisha Randolph Filling: 4 large granny smith apples, peeled, cored and diced (or your favorite coarse apple) ½ cup light brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 tablespoon apple juice 1 teaspoon cornstarch Dough: 2½ cups whole-wheat, allpurpose flour 6 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening (break

Dough: Blend together flour, shortening, baking powder and salt in a bowl with your fingertips or a pastry blender (or pulse in a food processor) until mixture just resembles coarse meal. Whisk egg with ¼-cup ice water, then drizzle evenly over flour mixture and gently stir with a fork until incorporated.

Using your hands, squeeze a small handful: Add more ice water if the dough does not hold together, ½ tablespoon at a time, stirring (or pulsing) until incorporated.

Gather dough into ball and knead a few times until smooth, 3 or 4 times, on a lightly floured surface. Do not overwork or dough will be tough. Form dough into two even, round flat pieces and chill, wrapped in plastic wrap, until firm, at least one hour.

Filling: Combine the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla in a small saucepan.

Cook on medium heat until juices start to form, about 3 minutes. Make a slurry by whisking together the apple juice and cornstarch. Stir this into the pan, turn the heat up to high, and cook, stirring constantly until mixture is thickened, about 3 minutes longer. Remove from heat and

into ½-inch pieces) 1 teaspoon baking powder ¾ teaspoon salt 1 large egg, lightly beaten ¼ cup ice water 4 to 5 tablespoons ice water Frying: 2 quarts vegetable oil Candy thermometer Garnish Sprinkle each pie with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar

set aside to cool and thicken.

Make pies: Divide one of the dough pieces into six equal pieces. Roll out one piece on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 6-inch round, then put two heaping tablespoons of filling in center.

Lightly moisten edge with water and fold dough over to form a half-circle, pressing out air around filling, then pressing edge to seal. Transfer to a large sheet of parchment paper and press floured tines of a fork around edge. Repeat process with second round piece of dough. (You may have some filling left over that can be served with a breakfast of grits, eggs and bacon).

Fry pies: Set a cooling rack on a large baking sheet or tray. Heat 2 inches of oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over medium heat until the thermometer reaches 360 to 370 degrees. Fry pies, 2 at a time, turning occasionally, until deep golden-brown, 7 to 8 minutes per batch. Transfer to rack to drain and immediately garnish with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. Return oil to 360 to 365 degrees between batches.

David Sparks has been involved in managing 31 Dixie Classic Fairs.

David Sparks: Fair director’s last ride This year is David Sparks’ last Dixie Classic Fair.

For 31 years—26 as the fair’s director —Sparks has been at the hub of preparations and all the details that go into putting on a huge, multi-prong event— the second largest fair in North Carolina —that usually attracts more than 300,000 people each year.

During his ride at the fair, Sparks has been responsible for increasing overall attendance by 20 percent and managed a yearly budget of $3.2 million.

Sparks is particularly pleased

with the $10.2 million in capital improvements that have been made to the fairgrounds.

“After 30 years and 31 fairs, we’ve seen many changes at the fairgrounds,” Sparks said.

“The capital improvements include the Education Building, the Fairgrounds Annex, new gates and decorative fencing, the Fredericks Clock Tower, the Bolton Building, a relocated carnival midway, a new Maintenance and Storage Building, electrical and infrastructure improvements and miles of paving for an improved customer experience.”

Sparks, who grew up in Winston-Salem and went to the

fair many times before he joined the fair management group in 1988, appreciates the efforts of some key city politicians and several fair committees.

“I’d like to thank the mayor, the City Council, the members of the Fair Planning Committee and the Public Assembly Facilities Commission,” Sparks said, “and the wonderful and dedicated staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly over the years to keep the fair relevant and growing. I’m proud to leave the fair in the capable hands of our team to continue the success we’ve seen and will see into the future.”

Gospel Fest returns to fair Each year one of the most popular events at the Dixie Classic Fair is Gospel Fest, sponsored by The Chronicle of Winston-Salem.

This year there will be performances on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 at 3 p.m. at the Clock Tower at the Fairgrounds.

It will include gospel, jazz, hip-hop and Christian music.

Performers will include: St. Paul Mass Choir, Richard Dawkins, Deacon Authority, King’s Kid, Mischeal Goldsmith’s The Greater Works Project featuring Bishop Stephen Williams and Nelson Roberts, Pastor Todd Curry & St. Peter “The Rock” Choir and Jeremiah Salter & Nu Elevation Worship.

PAGE 4 URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!

Savings that are sweeter than funnel cake Each day—from Sept. 28 to Oct. 7—the Dixie Classic Fair is giving away $1,000 in digital coupons. That’s a total of $10,000 for fun and delicious savings.

How It Works: Through the magic of technology, the fair will transmit special coupons as you walk around the fairgrounds. The fair app will alert you when you approach a hotspot. Once you’re in a coupon hotspot, you may receive a special coupon on your phone. It’s the coolest way you’ve ever couponed.

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Coupons will be redeemed on a first-come, first-served basis, up to the quantity/ amount specified in the coupon. For example, the fair could send out a coupon for 20 free ride cards to the first 20 people who show up to redeem it. But with $1,000 worth of giveaways every day, don’t worry. If you miss one coupon, there will be plenty more opportunities.

How to Start Saving: Download the Dixie Classic Fair app; configure your smartphone to receive special coupons—and start saving.

iPhones: 1. Download the free Physical Web app from the App Store.

2. Turn on Bluetooth (found under Settings).

3. Open the Physical Web app to receive digital fair coupons.

Android: 1. Turn on Bluetooth (Go to Settings > Bluetooth).

2. Turn on Location Services (Go to Settings > Location).

3. Check your notifications for digital fair coupons.

Funnel Cake is a fair favorite.

Hours and tickets HOURS OF OPERATION Sunday-Friday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Saturdays: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

Senior Adult Day: Starts at 9 a.m., Oct. 2.

ADVANCE GATE ADMISSION – On Sale NOW at Ticketmaster Adults (ages 12-64) – $8 ($2 savings) Children (ages 6–11) – $3 ($2 savings) Children (5 & under) – Free Senior Adults (65 & over, with ID) – Free ADVANCE SALE STRATES UNLIMITED RIDE WRISTBAND – On Sale NOW at Ticketmaster Advance Unlimited Coupon: Any one day is $25 (Only in advance. Regular price is $40.)

Exchange the coupon for a wristband at any of the five gates right when you enter the fairgrounds. Good for any oneday redemption. Wristband does not include admission to the fair.

Mobile tickets will be accepted.

ADVANCE SALE STRATES RIDE CARD – On Sale NOW at Ticketmaster Advance Ride Coupon (30 credits with a value of $15) – $10 (Only in advance. Good any day.)

Exchange this coupon for ride card at any of the five gates right when you enter the fairgrounds.

Ride tickets are 50 cents each during the fair, if bought individually. Generally, rides take 6 to 10 credits per ride.

Call booth is just outside the Annex building during the fair.

A few things to consider when purchasing in advance: Ticketmaster has eliminated its order-processing fee. Online fees for tickets will be $0.50 for tickets, and $0.75 for ride coupons. To avoid all fees, you may purchase advance tickets at the Annex Box Office at 414 Deacon Blvd., Winston-Salem; hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. If you choose Will Call as your delivery option, please note that the Will

PARKING Official fair parking is available at the LJVM Coliseum lots and BB&T Field lots for $10. Sept.

29 and Oct. 6 are WFU Football Saturdays, and parking fees will be higher on those days.

In addition, parking will be available in WFU controlled lots on those days. Be sure to to lock your car and secure belongings in the trunk. If parking along streets, please observe posted no-parking area.

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL ADMISSION Weekdays only – from opening until 4 p.m. – $5 STRATES SHOWS UNLIMITED RIDE WRISTBAND Regular price – $40 Daily Discounted Days – $35 (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) No coupon needed