Got to Be NC Festival

Shriners serve up N.C. seafood for a good cause

Bearded Lady May 15 May 11

When you come to the Got to Be NC Festival at the N.C. State Fairgrounds this weekend, be sure to stop by the Amran Shriners’ mobile kitchen for a plate of N.C. flounder or shrimp. That plate will not only fuel you up for a full day of fun, it will also benefit children in need of medical care in our community. Money raised from the fish fry will help provide free transportation and medical care to area children being treated at one of the 22 Shriners Hospitals in North America. The hospitals specialize in the treatment of burns, spinal…

Got to Be NC Festival this weekend

Bearded Lady May 14 May 14

This weekend, the fairgrounds will host the 2012 Got to Be NC Festival. The annual event is a celebration of North Carolina’s food and agricultural heritage, and there is plenty new in store this year. Consider the following five tips when making your plans: 1. New Festival Hours The festival has new Friday hours this year. The gates will be open from noon to midnight on Friday. Hours for Saturday and Sunday remain 9 a.m. to midnight and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., respectively. For a full schedule of events, go to www.GotToBeNCFestival.com. 2. Cookbook Authors at the Food and…

Got to Be NC Giveaway

Bearded Lady May 11 May 8

The Got to Be NC Festival is coming back to the N.C. State Fairgrounds May 18-20 for a weekend full of events celebrating N.C. food and agricultural heritage. There will be tractor parades, antique farming equipment, the Got to Be NC Food and Wine Expo, Carolina FiberFest and a whole lot of fun for the entire family. N.C. State Fair alumni Third Day also will be performing Friday night in Dorton Arena. Tickets start at $22, but you can get your tickets for free all next week. That’s because they’re giving away prize packs that include 4 tickets to the…

Border collies show off their herding skills at the Got to Be NC AgFest

Merrie Go Round May 22 June 2

The three black and white border collies that were part of the sheepherding demonstration at the Got to Be NC AgFest didn’t act nervous at all even though this was the first year for their event. As soon as they spied the sheep standing off to the side, they had a singular focus. In fact, even when the sheep were corraled at the end of the demonstration they were never far from the minds of the herding dogs. The dogs periodically ran over to the corral just to make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be. The sheepherding…

Wake up with the Deep Fried Crew: Festival edition

Bearded Lady May 21 May 21

Flying Bob and Firecracker give a rundown of the remaining activities at the Got to Be NC Festival this weekend at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Saturday’s activities includes the Masonic Carolina Pig Jig, a bluegrass band competition, the Carolina Rollergirls Roller Derby, Harley-Davidson motorcycle ride-in and tractor pull. Sunday, be sure to come out for the FIRST robotics competition and border collie sheepherding demonstrations. You also can enjoy the best of N.C. agriculture in the food and wine expo, participate in a workshop at Carolina FiberFest, interact with animals in the Agri-Plaza and ride carnival rides all weekend. To find…

Day one in photos

Bearded Lady May 20 May 20

The first day of the 2011 Got to Be NC Festival has been a lot of fun. Here are some photos from today’s activities. There is still plenty to eat, see and do tonight at the festival, and gates will be open until midnight. Gate admission, parking and grandstand events are free, so don’t forget to come out Saturday and Sunday for even more fun. You can download a complete schedule of activities at www.ncagfest.com, and keep up with festival updates on Facebook, Twitter or the Got to Be NC Festival blog.

Sun shines on Got to Be NC Festival

Bearded Lady May 20 May 20

Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler kicked off the 2011 Got to Be NC Festival by leading the first of three antique tractor parades this morning at the Fairgrounds. A few morning showers have turned into a warm and sunny afternoon. In addition to the large selection of antique farm equipment on display, festival-goers have enjoyed the Carolina FiberFest, Food and Wine Expo and the Raleigh Flea Market. The Sam Rand Grandstand will be full of free activities tonight beginning with the children’s stick horse races at 5 p.m., followed by a performance by Rocky the Trick Mule, plow-horse demonstrations, draft horse…

Got to Be NC Festival and much more

Blue Ribbon May 18 May 17

We’re getting ready for a jam-packed weekend full of family fun, and wanted to fill you in on all the activities available at the State Fairgrounds beginning Thursday. The Got to Be NC Festival will take over most of the Fairgrounds with carnival rides and antique tractors on display in the Midway area, vendors and a community stage in the Jim Graham Building and the Food & Wine Expo in the Expo Center. Between the Graham and Expo buildings you’ll find the new Agri-Plaza featuring a Kidz Corral play area and animals on display. In Dorton Triangle, you’ll find dozens of food vendors and the…

Curtis Mabe’s big tractor wins Best of Show award at festival

Flying Bob May 22 May 22

Congratulations to Curtis Mabe of Parkton, whose 1964 Allis-Chalmers D21 won Best of Show in the tractor competition at the Got to Be NC Festival. The team of judges liked Mabe’s use of chrome and the many little details he used in restoring the tractor, says Pat Short, the festival’s motor sports coordinator. “It’s a very rare tractor,” Short says. “It’s also huge.” The following tractors and owners also won awards in the competition: Best of Show, Prior to 1930 — Ken and Patti Eder of Carthage, 1914 Sawyer Massey Best of Show, 1930-49 — Jim Karriker of Mooresville, 1949…

Too much pork for just one fork…

Bearded Lady May 22 August 5

The ever-popular Masonic Carolina Pig Jig was back again at the Got to Be NC Festival, and this year’s competition was even larger than last year. An estimated 3,000 people came to fill their plates with barbecue pork, chicken and sauces. In addition, some lodges were serving chicken wings, banana pudding, sides and sweet lemonade. The event is an annual fund-raiser to benefit the Masonic Home for Children and the Central Children’s Home, both in Oxford. Here’s a quick look at the event: Not only is the event a fund-raiser, but it also is a competition and opportunity for bragging rights. Here’s a rundown…

Category: Got to Be NC Festival