Tag: fairgrounds

Cleanup with Casey

Wondering what’s been going on at the fairgrounds? Look no further, Casey Cardinal and his friend, Assistant Fair Manager James Romer, gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the renovations taking place at the fairgrounds. Due to COVID-19, nearly 200 scheduled events at the fairgrounds have been canceled so far this year.  With extra time on his hands, Romer has been busy with N.C. State Fairgrounds staff improving the grounds in preparation for the 2020 N.C. State Fair. The fairgrounds crew have checked many things off their to-do list so far, like spreading mulch, painting, repairing livestock pens, and pruning and…

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You’ve Got to Be at the Got to Be NC Festival This Weekend!

With more than 100 tractors, North Carolina food and beverages, music, a carnival and free kids’ activities, the Got to Be NC Festival is an event you don’t want to miss at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, May 17-19. “The antique tractor and farm equipment display, featuring a daily tractor parade, and the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace are two of the unique highlights of the festival,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We have one of the largest antique tractor displays in the Southeast, and the marketplace features around 80 North Carolina companies offering the opportunity to sample the…

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Fairgrounds improvements put rabbit show on hiatus

There are some changes to the fairgrounds in an area that generally featured one of the tightest pedestrian walkways at the fair. Fairgoers coming in from Gate 8 and walking up past the Village of Yesteryear would typically face a congested area where the rabbit barn, MarketPlace and N.C. State Howling Cow ice cream booth are located. This spring the rabbit barn building was torn down to open the space up in this area. “The number of exhibitors in our rabbit show has declined over the years,” said Kent Yelverton, fair manager. “The facility that was used to house the…

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Employee Profile: Maintenance worker Thuy Ksor brings Montagnard culture to the fairgrounds

Thuy Ksor may be accustomed to the fresh air and green grass in the Vietnam central highlands, but he gets his fill of the countryside right here at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Ksor, part of an ethnic minority group called the Montagnards, came to North Carolina in 2007. He’s one of about 20 Montagnard employees at the fairgrounds, and after getting his maintenance job here in 2008, he attributes much of what he’s learned in America so far to the diversity of tasks under his jurisdiction. “My job is totally different from everybody’s – I help people finish construction jobs…

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Weekend Update: July 10-12

After a fairly quiet Fourth of July weekend, the activity at the fairgrounds picks up this weekend with events for everyone, ranging from horse enthusiasts to crafters. The State 4-H Horse Show will be at the Hunt Horse Complex through Sunday. This five-day horse show features over 2,600 entries in 123 classes, highlighting 4-H members ages 5 to 18. Competitors will exhibit their project animals and demonstrate a wide variety of riding disciplines, including games, dressage, saddle seat and Western. Admission is free for spectators. Other events include: Gem, Jewelry & Bead Show, July 10-12 Those who missed Frank Cox…

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Weekend Update: June 26-28

Scaly critters and creepy crawlers invade the fairgrounds this weekend as Repticon hosts its Reptile and Exotic Animal Show in the Scott Building Saturday and Sunday. The convention will feature vendors from across the country, offering live animals, animal supplies and other related merchandise. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Spectators can view live animal presentations and seminars throughout the day. VIP Hour/early admission (at 9 a.m.) is $12 and is only available for the Saturday show. General admission is $10 for adults (ages 13 and up), $5 for children ages…

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Weekend Update: June 19-21

Vintage car lovers will be in heaven this weekend as the Raleigh Classic Car Auction brings flair, flash and horsepower to the N.C. State fairgrounds. The auction showcases four private collections offering more than 250 vintage vehicles including classic brands such as Chevrolet and Ford, and rare brands such as Duesenberg. The auction will take place in the Graham Building and Exposition Center. The cars are available for preview Friday, June 19, from 8 to 10 a.m., and auction times are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is $10 per day or $15 for a…

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Weekend Update: June 12-14

Quarter horses are taking over the Hunt Horse Complex for the 2015 Tarheel Triple Classic. Come see riders from across North Carolina compete in Western pleasure, trail and other categories. The classic, which will continue through June 20, combines three shows into one 10-day long event — the NCQYA Show, NCQHA Jamboree and Little Futurity. Competitions start daily at 8 a.m. and all shows are free to spectators. Other events this weekend: Gem, Jewelry & Bead Show; June 12-14 Calling all jewelry lovers in search of a little more bling. Frank Cox Productions presents the 2015 Gem, Jewelry & Bead…

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Tractors in triple speed

If you’ re at the fairgrounds around 11 a.m. Saturday or Sunday, make sure you don’t miss the antique tractor parade. We don’t want to spoil the full experience for you, so we present this condensed video. Note: If the video doesn’t appear, try refreshing your browser. UPDATE: Saturday’s tractor parade will start at 10:45 a.m. to accomodate the Harley-Davidson ride-in.

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Got to Be NC Festival headlines a jam-packed weekend at the Fairgrounds

Fairgrounds visitors will have plenty of activities to choose from as the third-annual Got to Be NC Festival kicks off a full weeekend of events. The festival runs Friday, May 21, to Sunday, May 23, and will include hundreds of food and commercial vendors, agricultural exhibits, carnival rides and much more. Following is the jam-packed schedule of activities at the Got to Be NC Festival: Amran Shriners N.C. Seafood Fish Fry, Friday, beside the Expo Center The Shriners will serve N.C. mountain trout, catfish and shrimp from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per plate. The event is…

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