Daily tractor parades are just one of the activities at the Got to Be NC Festival.
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 11 and over, $5 for ages 7-10, and free for ages 6 and under. Barbecue sales start at 11 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Masonic homes for children in Oxford.
- Grandstand events include an antique tractor pull on Saturday and lawnmower/garden tractor pulls on Sunday.
- More than 30 rides, along with food and games of chance will be on the midway. On Friday and Sunday, thrill seekers can take advantage of unlimited-ride wristbands for $20. Ride tickets are $1 each, and rides will take 3-5 tickets per ride. Purchase 14 tickets for $12 or 30 tickets for $20.
- Returning this year is the Pig Patch Birthing Center, music in Dorton Arena including Outlaw Nation and the Carolina Bluegrass Battle, and the State Fair Flyer chairlift offering a birds-eye view of the midway and grounds.
- Additional free entertainment includes fireworks, bluegrass competition, Captain Jim the Magic Pirate, Dan Dan the Farmer Man, Oscar the Robot, Circle C Racing Pigs and more. The popular tractor parade will also be held daily at 1 p.m.
Enjoy the “sweet” taste of North Carolina at the Homegrown Fare in the Expo Center.
Other events at the fairgrounds this weekend:
The Raleigh Flea Market is Saturday and Sunday in the Commercial and Education buildings and outside grounds. Come check out the hundreds of vendors selling antiques, collectibles, bargains and more. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
The Chatleee Boat Show and Sale will be in the Scott Building. The show features a large selection of saltwater, skiffs, ski and deck boards. This show boasts a boat for every budget. Hours are Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
The Buckhead Betties Outlet Sale will be Thursday through Sunday in the Graham Building. Boutique-style apparel, beach bags and cover-ups, tote bags, travel accessories, home decor and organization, jewelry, hats and more will be available at up to 70 percent off retail prices. Hours are Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Adidas Warehouse Clearance Sale starts today and runs through Sunday in the Graham Building. Enjoy huge savings on Adidas apparel, footwear and accessories. Hours are Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Independent Labrador Specialty Dog Show will be Saturday and Sunday at the Holshouser Building. Event hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The club will offer Canine Good Citizen certification immediately following the conclusion of the show. Owners may pre-register their dog or do so the day of the show. Free admission to public spectators.
The 40th annual Wake County 4-H Horse Show will be held Saturday and the North Central District 4-H Show will be held Sunday at the Hunt Horse Complex. This is an open all-youth horse show for participants up to 18 years of age. Show features Hunter, Western and walking horse classes. Championship and reserve-championship awarded for multi-age and divisions. Shows start at 8 a.m. and spectator admission is free.
