Eddie Pitzer is just the fourth general manager to oversee the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair since its inception in 1949. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Originally set up on major trade routes, county and state fairs emerged as venues where people could exhibit their crafts and skills.Commercial in character, the festivals combined socialization and amusement.
Eddie Pitzer considered them a learning tool.
His dad worked with the NC Department of Agriculture and worked with the NC State Fair manager for a number of years. Pitzer would handle odd jobs around the site before his dad retired and moved on to oversee another fair in Anderson, South Carolina.
“We did some traveling together, went to different fairs … just visiting, which was something we had in common because I was working here with the Wayne fair,” said Pitzer, the Wayne Fair’s fourth general manager. “We always discussed business since both of us had that fair background.”
Pitzer absorbed his father’s knowledge like a sponge.
His work ethic, organization and relationships with behind-the-scene workers has helped the Wayne County Regional Fair continue its award-winning success.
What started as a fat stock show in the late 1940s has morphed into one of the Tar Heel State’s top attractions in late September.
“There is so much that goes into it, getting everything in place so we can actually open,” Pitzer said. “There’s a lot of planning, lot of coordinating of schedules, getting assistance from people who make it happen. You know there are a lot of fairs that have gone by the wayside for different reasons, but again, we try each year to make it bigger … make it better.
“I think we have to continue to focus on agriculture and youth, make sure we stick to that traditional county fair feeling. I think that’s helped us through the years. It’s a lot of satisfaction to see it all come together.”
On opening night this year, fair organizers offered a “car-load discount” that helped ease the cost of admission and ride passes. Pitzer said the idea generated a large crowd that enjoyed an evening of good food prepared by numerous local vendors, fellowship and fun.
Still, operating a fair is a business.
Revenue from the 10-day event is used to upgrade facilities, advertise future fairs and create ticket packages to minimize the cost for fair-goers.“We’ve continued to try and make it better every year,” Pitzer said. “Over time they [original WCLDA] thought it would get better. I may not be here five years from now, but I hope it’s bigger and better then.
“The fair was well attended, one of our higher attendance. We had 10 days of beautiful fall weather and weather can make a difference. This year was an excellent year weather-wise and attendance-wise, so we’re real pleased with it.”
