Got to Be NC Festival and much more

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.

Got to Be NC Festival and much more this weekend at the State Fairgrounds

The 6th annual Masonic Carolina Pig Jig BBQ Cook-off will take place Saturday. Samples will be available at 11 a.m.

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 Longbranch Triangle Stage featuring a variety of free concerts Friday through Sunday.

As big as the Festival is, it’s not the only event happening. Here’s a list of other events, making the Fairgrounds the place to be for the whole family this weekend.

  • The Raleigh Summer Boat Show & Sale in the Kerr Scott Building will offer free admission and a variety of boats on display. Thursday and Friday, noon to 6 p.m, Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The Raleigh Flea Market will open a day early, operating Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Carolina FiberFest has expanded and will take over much of the Graham Building, along with other Festival vendors. FiberFest features spinning, crocheting and other “sheep-to-shawl” demonstrations, vendors and sales. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
  • The Hunt Horse Complex will host the Wake County 4-H Horse Show on Saturday, and the District 4-H Horse Show on Sunday. Admission is free.
  • In Dorton Arena, the Carolina Rollergirls will have their “Got to Be NC” Derby Expo on Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. Get a wrist band for $5 to watch all five games, or come and go as you please. Children age 5 and younger are free.
  • High school teams from across North Carolina will compete in the NC FIRST Robotics competition on Sunday in Dorton Arena from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Parking and gate admission into the Fairgrounds are free. Check out the Got to Be NC Festival website for the daily schedule of events, and keep up with Festival news on the blog.

We hope to see you this weekend!

About Blue Ribbon

Natalie Alford blogged for the 2009-2011 N.C. State Fairs. This is her bio from 2009: I work at the Fairgrounds year-round, so I'm always in the middle of the fun! During the Fair, I work with the press office team to organize events and exhibits, and log a lot of miles on my pedometer. I'm also the County Agricultural Fairs Coordinator, which means I license, promote and visit North Carolina's agricultural fairs and enjoy thousands of blue ribbon entries every year. I hope to see you at the Fair!

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