2022 NC State Fair

Girls Night Out at the N.C. State Fair

Sweet Corn October 11 October 10

Thrilling Rides? Check! Indulgent Foods? Check! Live Music? Check! Check! Check! If you’re looking for the Ultimate Girls Night Out this October, the North Carolina State Fair is the perfect destination. Not only does the fair have something for everyone to enjoy, it’s the best place to spend the day laughing and catching up with your gal pals. When the gates open at 9 a.m., you’ll find me and my girlfriends in line for the best donuts on the fairgrounds at Peachy’s Baking Company, located just inside Gate 2. We’ll take half a dozen and head over to the picnic…

Primitive Naturalist Jeffrey Gottlieb to Showcase the Making of Cherokee Moccasins at Fair

Leigh Powell Hines October 10 October 13

Opening day of the N.C. State Fair is days away, and artisans participating in this year’s Village of Yesteryear exhibit are preparing to educate fair-goers in the State’s largest hands-on classroom. Primitive Naturalist, Jeffrey Gottlieb, will be making the trip to Raleigh from Whittier, N.C., to teach the public how to make Southeastern style moccasins, the traditional footwear worn by the Cherokee, Seminole, Creek, and other Southeastern tribes. “Throughout the eleven days of the fair, I will be taking measurements of the foot, cutting out foot patterns in buckskin, and stitching the footwear with gathering pleats just like Native Americans…

Family-owned Zell’s Italian Sausage sticks with tradition

Funhouse October 8 October 7

Last year, Zell Lucas Sr. brought something new and shiny to the fair. It was a brand-new concessions stand to serve the fairgoers that have counted on him and his family serving Italian sausage, Polish sausage and hot dogs for more than 40 years. The new stand was one of the reasons fair management voted Zell’s as Best in Show for the 2021 N.C. State Fair. “They invested their money back into their concession business and purchased a nice looking stand,” said Letrice Midgett, commercial space administrator for the N.C. State Fair. The stand was quite an upgrade to the…

Be sure to add the N.C. Forest Service exhibit to your list of things to do while visiting the N.C. State Fair

Funhouse October 7 October 7

The N.C. State Fair is just days away from opening and is sure to be a treat for all ages. Whether you’re here for the thrilling rides, educational exhibits or to indulge yourself with a wide variety of delectable food options, this year’s fair will feature many of its traditional favorites while also showcasing several new attractions. The N.C. Forest Service has had an annual footprint at the N.C. State Fair since 1983 and will continue to interact and entertain fairgoers in 2022. With the debut of the newly installed Gate 7 entryway, fairgoers will not only have an additional…

Loaded Nachos Challenge, Wolfpack Basketball, and Thrills Slated for Opening Day of the Fair

Leigh Powell Hines October 6 October 6

Loaded Nachos will be first Home Chef Challenge competition at Fair

It’s game time at the N.C. State Fair for the first time in history as The Wolfpack basketball teams host its annual Primetime with the Pack preseason event on Thursday, Oct. 13, at PNC Arena South Plaza across from Carter-Finley Stadium in conjunction with the opening day of the Fair. “It’s going to be a big day, and we want everyone to get in fair and game-day mode,” stated Brooke Johnston, Associate Director for Fan Experience and Marketing for men’s basketball. N.C. State Wolfpack Basketball sponsor of the Loaded Nachos Challenge in the 2002 Home Chef Challenge at the Fair…

Matchett demonstrates the art of hypnosis at his family friendly show

Katie Hubbard October 5 October 4

It’s no secret the State Fair offers a variety of events. It is the perfect place to find something for each family member, whether it’s cotton candy, the giant Ferris wheel, or listening to bluegrass music at Heritage Circle. I bet you didn’t know that there are multiple performances catered to entertain the entire family, from ages four to ninety-four. One of them being the Comedy Hypnotist show performed by Brad Matchett. This family-friendly Vegas-style show is one you will not want to miss due to its highly anticipated return for the first time since 2017. Brad uses volunteers picked…

Coin-Cutter Ken Sims will Turn Foreign and U.S. Currency into Unique Jewelry Pieces at N.C. State Fair

Leigh Powell Hines October 4 October 4

Artist Ken Sims began collecting coins at an early age. His hobby developed out of his love for traveling. He would return from a trip with currency in his pocket and want to keep the coins, whether shiny or dull, to remember his travels, especially foreign currency. “I was in awe of some of the designs, “ revealed Sims, who will be a new vendor in the Village of Yesteryear at the 2022 N.C. State Fair. “I did nothing with them for a long time. I just put them in a bin, but it wasn’t until I lived in Argentina…

Raleigh Area Enameled Jewelry Artist Hopes to Inspire Fair Visitors to Craft at any Age

Leigh Powell Hines October 3 September 30

You may never know when you will accidentally stumble upon your artwork when you are an artist. Linda Payne, a Fuquay-Varina resident who is very modest about her beautiful jewelry designs, will never forget that one time she stepped into a local Chinese take-out restaurant in the Raleigh area. “I paid for my food, turned around, and noticed the woman behind me was wearing my black and white enameled earrings. I recognized my work immediately,” recalled Payne. “She noticed that I looked at her, so I spoke and told her I designed and made the earrings she was wearing. I…

The Public House in three “E’s” – beer escape, exposure and education

Tractor Pull October 2 September 30

Many people who go the N.C. Public House at the N.C. State Fair are simply looking for a place to relax and take a break, according to Lisa Parker, the executive director of the N.C. Craft Brewers Guild. The guild brought the Public House to the fair for the first time in 2017, and in 2021 it moved from the Heritage Circle area to the south side patio of Dorton Arena – the side toward the giant SkyGazer Ferris wheel. People who visit can escape the excitement of the midway and just enjoy a couple of craft beer samples in…

Agricadabra makes agriculture magical and funny

Katie Hubbard October 1 September 30

If you are looking for somewhere to take the whole family, you’ve come to the right place. At the N.C. State Fair, you will find a handful of highly talented musicians, delicious food, and entertaining performances. One, in particular, and a family favorite, is Agricadabra. Hosted by entertainer Brad Matchett, Agricadabra is a family-friendly magic show that is not only fun but educational. Using volunteers from the audience, Brad highlights all things agriculture within North Carolina. The show dives into fun farming topics, such as the average age of the farmers in your state, questions about chicken and egg production,…

Category: 2022 NC State Fair