Adé Carrena uses food to bring people together and bridge the gap between North Carolina and West Africa

On a map, North Carolina and the small, West African country of Benin appear very far apart.   The capital cities of Raleigh and Porto Novo are separated by about 8,800 miles as the crow flies.  Chef Adé Carrena is on a mission to help you realize that maybe the cultures aren’t so different, culinarily.   Carrena, the superstar behind Raleigh-based spice company iLéwa Foods and Dounou Foods, was recently crowned the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Chef of the Year, for helping to bridge the gap between southern cuisine and West African cuisine.  She blends the recipes she grew up…

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New Craftsmen, Carlee Hawkins, enters the Village of Yesteryear with pen and ink drawings.

The Village of Yesteryear is one of the North Carolina State Fairs most popular and anticipated attractions which includes over 75 artists and crafters creating, displaying and selling time-honored handmade crafts. Each year, new craftsmen are added to expand the village and broaden the type of art that visitors can explore. This year, Gray Works joins the Village of Yesteryear with pen and ink line drawings. Artist, Carlee Hawkins, has been involved in art for just under three years and built her company after graduating from North Carolina State University in December of 2021. As a nutrition major, Hawkin’s passion…

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A college student’s guide to the North Carolina State Fair

The fall is one of the best times of the year on a college campus. A highlight for many students is going to the North Carolina State Fair. With so many college students making their way to the fairgrounds to have their own fair experience, we thought we would share some tips for those looking forward to this year’s event. What is the best day to go to the fair? Luckily enough for N.C. State University students, there is a special discount if you attend the State Fair with Primetime with the Pack. With this program, you can get $5…

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Performances to look forward to at the 2023 Homegrown Music Fest

The North Carolina State Fair has many free entertainment options that are perfect for anyone, no matter the musical preference. The Homegrown Music Fest at the North Carolina State Fair is a free event that showcases the best of North Carolina music. It features over 100 acts on two stages over the length of the Fair. Artists are from a wide range of genres, including rock, country, bluegrass, blues, jazz, and hip hop. The Homegrown Music Fest is a great way to discover new music and support local artists. It is also a fun family-friendly event, with something for everyone…

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The Children’s Barnyard works with Wake County schools to provide agricultural experience

The roots of the North Carolina State Fair are in agriculture. Of course, good eats, thrilling rides and games grab a lot of attention, but our state would not be the great place it is without our farmers! Daniel Beasley, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Rolesville High School, sees the importance of agriculture every day and aims to teach his students about the importance of the industry. “Being involved in agriculture shows kids the compassion that it takes to care for an animal that needs them and how to do it properly. More than anything it is knowing that…

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Laura Jessup shows everything from goats to turkeys. No matter the animal, memories are made at the North Carolina State Fair.

Finding a passion does not have an age limit. No matter if you’re ten or one hundred, it is always a good time to start doing something you love. Youth livestock shows at the North Carolina State Fair allow students to get passionate about something and learn in the process.  A junior at Uwharrie Charter Academy , Laura Jessup became interested in showing at the young age of five and has continued ever since. One great thing about North Carolina is the community that agriculture has formed.  “I joined 4-H when I was five,” Laura said. “Some of the other kids…

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Nahunta Pork Center partners with the N.C. State Fair to present the “Not Your Mama’s Sausage Balls Challenge.”

The N.C. State Fair loves a deep-fried treat, but there is something about homemade food that warms the soul. The Home Chef Challenge at the North Carolina State Fair encourages the continued advancement of and love for cooking through daily cooking challenges. Each day of the N.C. State Fair presents a new cooking challenge for our contestants who dream up their own recipes, prepare them at home and bring them to the N.C. State Fair for critique by a panel of judges…but only one can take home the coveted blue ribbon. “Food is a way to bring people together,” said…

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Students learn and have fun at the same time with the North Carolina State Fair Adventurer Scavenger Hunt

The North Carolina State Fair is a full of fun. From games to rides and even competitions, great memories are made with all that the Fair has to offer. But who says that one cannot have fun and learn at the same time? At the 2023 N.C. State Fair, there are educational opportunities for all ages, from elementary school to high school and beyond. One of the many educational offerings at the Fair are the State Fair Adventurer Scavenger Hunts presented by the North Carolina PTA for elementary through high school ages. There are three different scavenger hunts available, all…

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Showing livestock goes beyond the individual – The Sharp family raises swine for North Carolina State Fair competitions

When you grow up doing something, it becomes a part of your character. You learn and grow from the things that you love. The Sharp family has been showing swine for over 30 years. In fact, the families uncle Alan and grandfather, Thad Sharp Jr., were both inducted into the North Carolina Livestock Hall of Fame. Now, the whole family including parents Donna and Thad and children T and McLane, commit a great amount of their time to showing swine at both county and state level livestock shows. Being raised surrounded by agriculture and the showing community has shaped the…

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Meet the N.C. State Fair’s first safety officer Michael Amberg

Maintaining a facility like the N.C. State Fairgrounds is quite the task. With over 300 acres, historic buildings and crowds most weekends attending events or the flea market and the annual N.C. State Fair in October, the fairgrounds is a busy place. A new position at the N.C. State Fair looks to see that jobs being done to maintain the fairgrounds and get ready for these events are done safely. Michael Amberg started work earlier this year as the N.C. State Fair’s first safety officer. His job is to ensure other workers on the fairgrounds are doing their jobs safely….

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