Got to Be NC Festival

David Ferrell and his John Deere green tractor takes Agri Supply Best of Show at the Got to Be NC Festival

Funhouse May 24 May 24

Red, green, muscle, antique and more are just some of the tractors that take up a large footprint of the Got to Be NC Festival – drawing attention and admiration of festival goers that specifically come to the event to see the large display, and those that are drawn in during their visit. Each day the tractors and their owners lineup for the tractor parade – a signature event of the festival. This year, festival organizers named one tractor best of show and that honor was given to David Ferrell of Apex and his 1975 6030 John Deere tractor. Agri…

A passion instilled at birth leads to young farmer career in agriculture

Rollercoaster May 21 May 5

This is the second year of the Young Farmer of the Day program at the Got To Be N.C. Festival. This program, sponsored by AgCarolina Farm Credit and AgSouth Farm Credit, recognizes three young farmers who work hard everyday to impact our state’s agriculture industry & blaze the trail for a strong future. Individuals either nominated themselves or were nominated by members of the community. One young farmer will be recognized each day of the Got To Be N.C. Festival, taking place May 19-21, 2023 at the N.C. State Fairgrounds! Cooper Little has been a farm boy ever since he…

Changing Hearts and Lives at Jewels of Health Farm

Rollercoaster May 20 May 5

Young Farmer takes pride in feeding the community and telling her ag story

Rollercoaster May 19 May 5

New fairgrounds police chief settling in just in time for GTBNC festival

Tractor Pull May 19 June 22

The N.C. State Fair has a new police chief who’s just getting settled into the job in time for the Got to Be NC Festival. Anthony “Tony” Prignano started on April 25. Technically, his job title is Public Safety and Security Chief, and it’s a shift from his decades of work in the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. “When I retired from the sheriff’s office in March at age 53, I didn’t want to just quit working,” Prignano said. “I’ve been in in law enforcement for nearly 30 years. It’s not just something that leaves your blood. When it comes to…

N.C. wine and so much more at the GTBNC Festival

Tractor Pull May 17 June 22

The Got to Be NC Festival brings lots of the things you love about the N.C. State Fair, such as rides and fair food favorites. There are also unique elements like the entertainment lineup, the daily tractor parades and the vendors who choose to participate each year. One thing that the GTBNC Festival offers that’s a bit different than the State Fair is the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace. It’s a bit like the Got to Be NC Pavilion during the fair, but not exactly. At the this year’s festival, there are about 74 vendors, and all of them will have…

A beginner’s guide to the Carolina Pig Jig according to three of its biggest fans

Funhouse May 16 June 22

The Got to Be NC Festival returns to the State Fairgrounds this weekend. An eagerly anticipated part of the festival is the Saturday-only Carolina Pig Jig. Around 20 chapters of Masons will compete for bragging rights in this one-day competition and fundraiser. The real winners are the attendees, who for $20 gain entry and all-you-can-eat barbecue. In an effort to help out those that might be attending their first Pig Jig, we talked to a few “experts” to get their best advice for how to maximize your barbecue experience. See tips below: Paul Jones, manager of organization engagement at Butterball,…

Get Ready for the Got to Be NC Festival

Funhouse May 16 May 17

It’s a celebration of food and agriculture at the 11th annual Got to Be N.C. Festival. Come enjoy a mix of food, fun, music, carnival rides, tractors and more. Gate admission is free. Highlights include: Homegrown Marketplace presented by Lowes Foods, in the Exposition Center. Nearly 100 North Carolina companies will be sampling and selling their products. Admission is $3 for ages 12 or older, but visitors will get a coupon for $2 off purchase (excluding alcohol) 10th Annual Masonic Carolina Pig Jig BBQ Cook-off will be Saturday beside the Exposition Center. Enjoy barbecue from 40 Masonic Lodges. Tickets are $15 for ages…

NC State Fair youth scholarship recipients honored at Got to Be NC Festival

Marisa Linton See May 30 February 2

Following is a guest post from Marisa Linton. Marisa grew up showing and raising livestock, and currently lives on her family’s small farm in Mount Olive. She has shown animals at the N.C. State Fair for the past 14 years and is a past youth livestock scholarship recipient. She is an N.C. State University graduate, agricultural photographer and blogger. Youth who show livestock at the N.C. State Fair are a hardworking, responsible and dedicated group. They stay busy working with their animals and taking care of them. While these youth are focused on their livestock and showing, they are also…

We’re bringing Casey back – mascot returns after 40-plus-year absence

Funhouse May 4 May 4

There’s a new bird in town – and he’ll be making his debut at the Got to Be NC Festival, May 15-17. Casey Cardinal will represent the fair at promotional events and during the annual N.C. State Fair. He will begin high-fiving children and posing for selfies this month. Some seasoned fairgoers might remember Casey’s predecessor from the late 1960s and early 1970s. A few lucky fairgoers might even have a couple of souvenirs from the original Casey’s heyday. We have a few lying around the Agriculture Building in downtown Raleigh, including a key chain and cup featuring the mascot….

Category: Got to Be NC Festival