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The Triangle
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Dorton Arena
If you go to the State Fair or visit the flea market in Raleigh, note the large parabolic building visible from Hillsborough Street. Once humorously known as Raleigh's "Cow Palace," the J.S. Dorton Arena is an internationally famous prototype which has received world-wide recognition and numerous architectural awards.
The innovative design of the arena blends engineering and architecture to create interior space uninterrupted by columns or vertical supports. The structure was conceived by Matthew Nowicki (No-vit-ski), a Polish immigrant who also helped design the United Nations complex in New York. Nowicki later joined the NCSU School of Design, but in 1950 he was tragically killed in a plane crash before construction of the arena had begun.
The Fair always opens for ten days in late October. It includes 8600 exhibitors, 2500 horses, 800 birds, 100 craftsmen, 2000 musicians and 180 food vendors. Last year's record attendance of 780,000 ranks it the third largest state fair in the country.
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