Author: Wildflower

I'm Wildflower (a.k.a Evie Fordham), and when the middle of October rolls around every year, you'll most likely find me strolling through the gardens, admiring the blue ribbon flowers, and sipping on lemonade at the State Fair. I'm having fun as a summer intern writing and researching about this North Carolina tradition!

Weekend Update: Dec. 30-Jan. 1

The Raleigh Indoor Holiday Classic Horse Show is today and Saturday at 8 a.m. in the Hunt Horse Complex. Admission is free. Old North State Antique Gun & Military Collector Show is Saturday and Sunday in the Scott Building. Antique guns, U.S. and foreign military arms and memorabilia will be exhibited, bought, sold, and traded. These include WWI, WWII, Civil War, and other conflicts. Hours are Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 12 and free for children age 6 and under. The Raleigh…

Continue Reading

Weekend Update: Dec. 16-18

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the mall, head to the fairgrounds for some one-of-a-kind shopping or head over to the Hunt Horse Complex for the dog agility competition where dogs and their handlers are timed in their efforts to run through a predetermined obstacle course. The Carolina Piedmont Dog Agility Competition is Saturday through Monday in the Hunt Horse Complex. Competitions start at 10 a.m. on Friday, 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday. Spectators are free. Other events this weekend include: The Last Minute Christmas Shopping Expo is Saturday from 10…

Continue Reading

Weekend Update: Dec. 9-11

The Bulls, Bells and Barrels Bull Riding Event presented by Carousel Farms is Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Hunt Horse Complex. General admission is $12, VIP admission is $17 and children ages 5 and under are admitted free. This event offers bull riding and barrel racing. Doors open at 6 p.m. for shopping. Other events to check out: The Adidas Warehouse Clearance Sale starts today in the Exposition Center. Sale will offer huge savings on Adidas apparel, footwear and accessories. Special VIP sale hours are Wednesday, 5 to 8 p.m. Regular sale hours are Thursday and Friday,…

Continue Reading

Weekend Update: Dec. 2-4

Get The Nest for less! It’s time to clear the shelves of the State Fair Nest souvenir shop just in time to save for everyone on your gift list. State Fair staff will be at the Raleigh Flea Market this weekend by the Administration Building on Saturday and Sunday with discounted State Fair merchandise, including t-shirts, pint glasses, hats and more. All 2016 logo merchandise will be 50 percent off and all other merchandise will be 25 percent off. Check out the album of available merchandise on Facebook. The Fair will also offer special ticket packages, with a complimentary holiday card. Packages include: One State Fair ornament plus two…

Continue Reading

Weekend Update: Nov. 25-27

The Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market is Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Graham Building. Admission covers all three days and is $8 for adults, $7 for senior and members of the military with ID and $4 for children ages 6 to 12. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free. This event features over 250 exhibitors offering crafts, jewelry, art, pottery and food. Other events this weekend include: The Raleigh Antiques Extravaganza is Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday…

Continue Reading

Weekend Update: Nov. 11-13

Get a head start on your holiday shopping at the Christmas Toy Exchange. This event is Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Scott Building. Admission is free. This event offers gently used toys, books and videos as well as holiday apparel and decorations. Other events include: The ‘Jump for the Children’ Hunter Jumper Show is Tuesday through Sunday in the Hunt Horse Complex. Admission is free. This USEF Heritage Competition benefits the Duke Children’s Hospital. This event features the $50,000 Duke Children’s Grand Prix, $10,000 Duke Welcome Jumper Stake and $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. The Carolina Collector Auto…

Continue Reading

Be a State Fair Adventurer

I just got tricked into learning while doing all of my favorite things at the fair! The N.C. State Fair Scavenger Hunts guide kids (and eager interns) as they scour the fairgrounds for clues. With every question they answer, kids learn more about North Carolina’s history and agriculture. You can join in on the scavenger hunt fun by clicking here. You can choose between two themes, “Science at the State Fair” and “Be a State Fair Adventurer.” Watch for the signs at each stop to help you with answers, and remember to turn in completed scavenger hunt sheets at the Expo Center for…

Continue Reading

Weekend Update: Sept. 30-Oct. 2

We’re in full gear getting ready for the opening of the State Fair on Oct. 13, so there are no events on the main fairgrounds until November, including the Raleigh Flea Market. There are a few events happening at the Hunt Horse Complex: Riders of all disciplines will be competing in horse shows this weekend at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. The N.C. Quarter Horse Association’s Tar Heel Fall Classic is Friday through Sunday at 8 a.m. in the Hunt Horse Complex. Admission is free. The NCQHA 2016 Tar Heel Quarter Horse Fall Classic Show is Friday through Sunday, with an estimated…

Continue Reading

19 choirs competing in the first State Fair Choral Competition

Dorton Arena has hosted many legendary performers, including the Supremes, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, KISS and Prince. Adding to this list of performers will be 19 local middle and high school choirs that will compete in the N.C. State Fair’s new Choral Competition on Thursday, Oct. 13. “We decided it would be a great fit for one of the concert events in Dorton,” said Denise Walker, competitive exhibits director. The competition offers $6,200 in total prize money. Nine middle school choirs will compete from 4 to 6 p.m., and 10 high school choirs will compete from 7 to 9 p.m….

Continue Reading

Weekend Update: Sept. 23-25

It’s a big weekend at the fairgrounds. The Southern Ideal Home Show takes over the Graham Building and the Exposition Center for three days with lots of great home improvement ideas. And this is the last weekend for the Flea Market. All the flea market vendors will have to move out to make room for the State Fair, so there will be plenty of deals to be had. And many wrestling legends make a return to Dorton Arena on Friday night.   The Southern Ideal Home Show is Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m….

Continue Reading