Pot Luck Friday #9: All "OB"Long Raleigh

Mom packed up the pot in the cooler today....we're taking a road trip to the NC State Fairgrounds today to see the

J. S. Dorton Arena.

For more professional pictures of this most futuristic, unique, elliptical building please visit

http://ncstatefair.org/dorton

Statistics on the building

Completed: 1952,renovated in 1979, 1996 and 2002

Architects: Matthew Nowiciki, and William H. Dietrich

Professor Nowiciki was head of the Department of Architecture at N. C. State University. He was killed in an airplane accident in Egypt before the construction phase of the project began. His personal friend, William H. Dietrich was named to oversee the project. It has continually earned an international reputation since its construction, in 1951.

Seating capacity: 5,110 permanent seats, 7,610 with portable seats

Square footage: 25,000

300 ft. in diameter and concrete floor is 221 feet long and 127 ft wide at widest point

Name: Originally named 'State Fair Arena", it was dedicated to Dr. J. S. Dorton, former N. C. State Fair Manager, in 1961.

Dorton Arena was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 11, 1973.

The metal roof, is suspended on a network of cables which extend crosswise from the 90' parabolic arches , is saddle shaped (see picture below). The parabolic arches cross each other at about 26' above the ground. I'm sorry I could not take any interior pictures. Please visit the website above for a look inside.

The weight of the roof is equalized by tension cables with 14 two inch strands connecting each end of the parabola through the stress tunnel.


The exterior walls are constructed of transluent heat and glare-reducing glass above the lobby levels and of heat-absorbing transparent glass on the lobby levels.


Dorton Arena is located on the corner of Blue Ridge Road and Hillsborough Street and is the center piece of the State Fairgrounds.

You might notice the wrought iron gate pictured above and below. It was installed to keep the very brave or very drunk from walking up to the roof.

The Arena is used for sporting events expect for 2 weeks in October

during the N C State Fair. Each evening during the 2 week fair concerts are held in the Arena.

Admission to see well known artists from all genre of music is very affordable. The most expensive I've ever seen is about $15.00.

The Arena can be seen from nearly every vantage point on the Fairgrounds. For as long as I can remember, The Arena has been 'the meeting' place of families should they become separated while visiting the Fairgrounds. The edge of the roof is outlined in RED lights at night. I just saw this for the first time at 5:30am yesterday morning. Sorry no pictues!!

Personal note from Mom: My Dad (Madi's Papa) recently told me my Granddaddy was one of the electricians who helped wire Dorton Arena. He said they had to build scaffolds inside so the electricians could get to the ceiling.
Note from Madi: Papa's procedure wen well yesterday. They are through with doctors for a while. Mom assures me she will not be getting up before the Rooster Crows tomorrow...she said she might even wait until Mr. Sun is out. MOL Mom is a wild and crazy lady.