Last year, we asked our fans for suggestions on what they would like to see us cover on the Deep Fried blog during the fair. Thanks to your suggestions, we ended up going mano-a-mano with the Fighter, milking a cow at the NCSU Animal Science Club exhibit and learning how to blacksmith in Heritage Circle. We received so many great press-office challenges that we decided to do it again this year.

So, here’s your chance: Is there new food you’d like us to review before you come to the fair? Do you want to make sure a certain ride is worth the ticket price? If so, send us your press-office challenges by commenting below, posting on our Facebook wall or tweeting on Twitter.

We’ll pick three fan-selected challenges on Friday, Oct. 14, and cover them during the fair. Winners will receive a family prize pack including four fair tickets so you can attend the fair and try all the challenges yourself. We can’t wait to get your submissions.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been seven months since the start of the 2010 N.C. State Fair. It seems like it was just yesterday we were trying our first Krispy Kreme Burger, going for a ride on the Fighter, and passing a new milestone with more than 1 million of our closest friends. We’re gearing up for the 2011 N.C. State Fair, Oct. 13-23, and can’t wait to share more about the food, rides and entertainment that make this one of the best events in the state.

This weekend at the Fairgrounds, check out the following events:

• Region 10 Quarter Horse Experience, Hunt Horse Complex; May 13-15
• Sportscard and Sports Memorabilia Show, Scott Building; May 13-15
• WRAL’s Wellness Weekend, Graham Building; May 14-15
• Mid Atlantic Hound Association Dog Show, Holshouser Building; May 14-15
• Raleigh Flea Market, Commercial and Education Buildings; May14-15

If you need a more immediate fair fix, check out the Got to Be NC Festival, May 20-22, at the State Fairgrounds. The festival features more than 1,000 pieces of antique farm equipment, a food and wine expo, fiber fest, barbecue cook-off, fish fry, classic car show, live music, grandstand events, carnival rides and more. Gate admission, parking and grandstand events are free. The Deep Fried Crew will be there covering all the events, so check back here or visit the Got to Be NC Festival blog for updates.

With just five months remaining, we want to hear from you. What are you most looking forward to about the 2011 State Fair?

Do you spend your days at the Fair alternating between deep-fried goodness and stomach-churning rides? Well, this may interest you: Powers Great American Midways, which brought last year’s popular Vertigo ride, recently confirmed the latest ride to grace the midway at the N.C. State Fair. It’s called Fighter.

According to the manufacturer, this ride combines the rotating movements of a carousel with the pendulum motion of a swing. This results in a smooth but exciting ride with unlimited variations. You can view a video of the ride below.

Note: If video doesn’t appear, try refreshing your browser.

Getting the ride to the N.C. State Fair wasn’t easy. For starters, there are only two Fighters in the world. Next, there was the size issue. Fighter is a monster, standing 35 feet tall with a footprint of 80 feet. It’s so big that its 91 foot trailer requires a special permit to be transported across roads. Luckily, Powers secured the permits and Fighter will be at the Fair starting Thursday, October 14, during Preview Day.

Speaking of Preview Day, serious riders will want to take advantage of the Preview Day unlimited ride wristband. The $25 wristband is good for unlimited rides from 3:30 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, Oct. 14, only. They will be available at Midway ticket booths on Preview Day, and are not available in advance. All fairgoers can save with discounted gate admission prices on Preview Day. Tickets will be $6 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-12 that day.

So, what do you think about the Fighter? Will you give it a try?