WS Chronicle

The opening of the 2018 Dixie Classic Fair is only eight days away. Gospel Fest, known for its soul warming variety of gospel music, will return on two Sundays, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7, both days from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. It is presented by The Chronicle.

Gospel Fest includes music ranging from Contemporary, Traditional Gospel, Gospel Jazz, Hip-Hop to Christian etc.

This event will be hosted by, Debra Terry, Comedian of Mustard Seed Entertainment Ministries; Carmen Russell of Russell Funeral Home; and The Chronicle’s Busta Brown. The event will be at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds directly by the clock tower.

Performers include:

Entry into Gospel Fest is free upon payment to get into the fair.

The Dixie Classic Fair is the second-largest attended agricultural Fair in North Carolina and runs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 7 at the fairgrounds in Winston-Salem. For more information on the Dixie Classic Fair, visit www.DCFair.com.

With a little advanced planning, everyone can find ways to save on admission, rides and food to have more fun. Students, seniors, members of the military, and families also find money-saving deals on Special Days from Sept. 28 through Oct. 7 at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds.

Advance Sale Discount Tickets that are available online through the Fair’s web site, www.dcfair.com and Ticketmaster. The Advance Sale ends on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 11:59 p.m. Online sales will be promoted via the Fair’s social media links on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Advance Tickets can be purchased with no convenience charges at the Annex Box Office, located at 414 Deacon Boulevard, Winston-Salem; hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New this year is Beacon Technology. The Dixie Classic Fair is giving away $1,000 worth of digital Dixie Classic coupons every day that can be redeemed for fair food, ride tickets and other prices – that’s a total of $10,000 in giveaways. To be eligible, visitors simply configure their smartphones to receive the special digital Dixie Classic coupons that will be sent by digital beacons set up throughout the fairgrounds. Coupons can be redeemed first-come, first served up to the quantity specified in the coupon. Additional instructions can be found on page 13 of the Fair’s Catalog.

Everyone can save with Early Bird Special Admission. Tickets are $5 on weekdays only, from opening until 4 p.m.

1075 KZL radio wants you to ride as many rides as you can during Unlimited Ride Promotion Days on Oct. 1,  Oct. 2, and Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Patrons pay Fair gate admission, go to the Midway Ticket Booth, and purchase a wristband to ride all day for $35 (regular price all other days is $40). 

Monday, Oct. 1, is School Day, the day that preschool thru Grade 5 students get in free to cheer for the Marvelous Mutts or take a spin on some of this year’s new rides. Gates open two hours early (9 a.m.) and free admission is valid  until 2 p.m.. One adult per six children is admitted free.

Throughout the Fair adults age 65 years and over are admitted free all week with proper ID. On Senior Adult Day, Tuesday, Oct. 2, gates open early at 9 a.m. for seniors. Aides assisting seniors are free on Senior Adult Day only. Special activities and events for senior adults begin at 10 a.m. and include presentations in Yesterday’s Village, wine tastings and more. 

The Fair offers free admission for persons with disabilities and their aides on Special Education Day on Wednesday, Oct. 3 with gates opening early at 9 a.m.

One of the most popular days at the fair is Crisis Control’s Food Day on Wednesday, Oct. 3 (gates open at 11 a.m.). Bring five cans or five boxes of non-perishable food items (any brand) and receive free admission. Last year, the Fair donated more than 76,000 food items to those in need.

WXII-TV Military Appreciation Day on Thursday, Oct. 4 (gates open at 11 a.m.). Active and Retired Military with immediate family are admitted free with proper ID.

Winston-Salem Journal Family Days are Saturday, Oct. 6 (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.) and Sunday, Oct. 7 (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.). Bring the special coupon in the Winston-Salem Journal and receive free admission for up to four children, ages 11 and under, with one paid adult.  Children age 7 and under can ride all of the Strates Shows Kiddieland Rides for just $10. All rides are subject to height safety restrictions. Pony rides are excluded.